Muhen: Thatched-Roof House, Church and Trails

Plan a visit to Muhen around its cultural history, architecture and trails. If you’re looking for a hotel in Muhen, you can start by deciding whether a visit to the thatched-roof house, the Reformed Church, a hike or a bike ride will shape your stay. Specific opening hours and route details can help you include these interests in your travel plans.

Location and history of Muhen

Muhen is in the canton of Aargau, in the district of Aarau and on the eastern edge of the lower Suhre Valley. The municipality lies on the northwestern slope of the ridge between the Suhre and Wynen valleys. Untermuhen, Mittelmuhen and Obermuhen were once separate parts of the village; they lie on alluvial fans at the mouths of deeply incised valleys. The Suhre flows through the village from south to north, while the surrounding plain is completely flat. The slopes, valleys and plain give the landscape its varied forms.

Muhen’s history can also be traced through several political changes. In the Middle Ages, the village initially belonged to the territory of the Counts of Lenzburg and, from 1173, to the Counts of Kyburg. After their line died out, the Habsburgs took over territorial rule in 1273. Around 1350, the Muhen district was established as a separate judicial district. After the Confederates conquered Aargau in 1415, Muhen became part of the subject territory of the city of Bern, the Bernese Aargau. Since the founding of the Helvetic Republic in 1798, Muhen has been part of the canton of Aargau.

Thatched-Roof House and Reformed Church

An exhibition at the Muhen Thatched-Roof House explores the craft of thatched-roof building. It also includes collections and objects related to carpentry, rope-making and blacksmithing. The house is open from April to October on the first and third Sunday of each month, from 2 to 5 pm. Visits at other times can be arranged by appointment. Check visiting hours before setting out. The jazz matinée is also a regular part of Muhen’s cultural calendar: it takes place on the Sunday of International Museum Day, in front of the Thatched-Roof House. As the event is tied to International Museum Day, it’s best to check the date for the relevant year in advance.

The Reformed Church of Muhen consists of a polygonal church hall, an adjoining parish hall and a freestanding square bell tower. The three parts are grouped around a church square on the hillside. Its hillside location makes the complex a feature of the village landscape, and most of its furnishings have been preserved in their original form. The church stands in a prominent spot in the Suhre Valley. Depending on the light, its striking choir window glitters even from the outside.

Hiking and cycling

A hike from Schöftland over Böhler Pass to Muhen is 8 kilometres long, is rated easy and takes 2 hours 30 minutes. On the final stretch, a forest path leads to Muhen Church. From there, it’s just under a five-minute walk along a paved road to Muhen railway station. Müheler Wald is also recommended for a walk in Muhen.

For a bike ride along the streams, the Müheler valleys offer a distinctive connection to the landscape. The north–south route through the Suhre Valley runs from Oberentfelden via Muhen to Schöftland; along the way, the route follows the Suhre upstream. The Thatched-Roof House is a particularly worthwhile stop on this route. This makes it possible to choose different focuses when planning: a hike with a set duration and difficulty, or a bike ride that includes Muhen as part of a longer route.

Getting there and getting oriented

Muhen has a rail connection to Aarau or Schöftland. Check the timetable with the transport operator before travelling. Drivers can access the A1 motorway towards Zurich–Bern outside the village of Muhen.

Discover more destinations: Suhr, Küttigen, Gränichen, Aarau, Oberentfelden, Rohr

Return to the main travel overview: Aarau.