Canton of Solothurn: Nature, Jura and Culture

The Canton of Solothurn extends across parts of the Swiss Plateau and the Jura. Its natural landscapes range from the open farmland of the Witischutzzone, a habitat for numerous birds and brown hares, to the rock faces of Wolf Gorge. The highest point is Hasenmatt, at 1,445 metres, a spot on the Jura ridge near Selzach.

Jura, Gorges and Water

Thal Nature Park is a habitat for the flora and fauna of the Solothurn Jura, as well as a local recreation and holiday area for nature lovers, hikers and bikers. Wolf Gorge is a cantonal forest reserve with narrow passages, high, partly overhanging rock faces, caves and erosion features. The Herbetswil Wolf Gorge bus stop is right at the entrance. From the Wolf Gorge postbus stop, it is about a 45-minute walk to the picnic spots in the caves.

The waterways also give the landscape its varied contours: the Dünnern is the only major body of water with its source in the Solothurn Jura; the Aare, Emme and Birs flow through the canton. Activities along the riverbanks, as well as boat trips and river cruises, are possible on the Aare near Solothurn. The river cruise from Solothurn to Biel passes nature reserves and historic sights.

Hiking Trails and Excursions

The Thal Wood Trail brings art and nature together: artistic installations focus on the forest and wood as a natural material, alongside play areas and barbecue spots for families. The trail is open year-round, 5 kilometres long, easy, and takes about two hours to walk. Starting points are Balsthal, St. Wolfgang and Holderbank SO.

The Via Surprise offers a different perspective: a circular hiking route in six daily stages through the Solothurn and Basel-Landschaft Jura. On the Weissenstein, there are hiking trails of varying difficulty and panoramic routes with views across the Swiss Plateau and, on clear days, as far as the Säntis and Mont Blanc. From there, hikes lead towards Grenchen or through the forests of Thal Nature Park.

For excursions to the second Jura range, the Nature Park Bus runs from Balsthal every Sunday and on public holidays from Good Friday, 3 April, to 1 November 2026. Two routes stop at central starting points and in front of six mountain inns. Check the timetable before travelling.

The dinosaur tracks near Lommiswil can be reached on foot from the “Im Holz” railway station or from the valley station of the Weissenstein cable car. The Solothurn–Moutier railway takes 14 minutes from Solothurn to these stops; check the timetable before travelling. The tracks can be viewed from a safe observation platform with information panels. The quarry itself is closed because of an acute risk of falling rocks.

City Culture and History

The city of Solothurn offers a car-free old town with historic monuments, museums and Baroque buildings. These include St. Ursus Cathedral, considered Switzerland’s most important building of early classicism and built from pale “Solothurn marble”. Romantic alleyways and old cobblestones define the character of the old town. The cathedral treasury contains numerous outstanding works of goldsmithing and silversmithing.

The Solothurn Natural History Museum presents animals, plants, stones and fossils from the surrounding area. Highlights include 150-million-year-old fossilised turtles from the city’s quarries, starfish from the Weissenstein and dinosaur tracks from Lommiswil. Visitors may touch the animals and objects on display.

The Neu-Falkenstein castle ruins are freely accessible year-round. You can climb the tower, which offers views across Thal Nature Park. Several barbecue spots and seating areas add to the visit. The castle was probably built in the early 12th century; in the 13th and 14th centuries, it served as a fiefdom of the Counts of Falkenstein and Bechburg.

Historically important military and trade routes crossed in Solothurn, bringing economic benefits to the town well into the modern era. The weekly market is part of city life today: every Saturday morning, it offers regional agricultural produce and culinary specialities. The cycling network for the city of Solothurn comprises around 500 kilometres of interconnected routes.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Lebern, Wasseramt, Gäu, Olten, Dorneck, Thierstein, Solothurn, Gösgen, Thal, Bucheggberg, Etziken

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