Erlinsbach: Nature, Trails and Local History

Erlinsbach lies at an altitude of around 400 m above sea level and has approximately 3,600 inhabitants. The municipality offers various points of interest for planning a trip: landscapes along the Aare and the Jura hills, forests, a nature reserve, hiking trails and historic buildings. The foothills of the Jura, the local recreation area along the Aare and the forests around Erlinsbach are considered unique places to relax and unwind.

Hiking, fishing, canoeing and cycling are among the leisure activities available in this area. This allows you to choose different priorities for your trip, such as forests and hiking trails, activities on the water or a cycling tour. The landscape and activities on offer give Erlinsbach a rural character, without limiting your stay to just one type of leisure activity.

Nature Reserve and Hiking Trails

One specific natural area is the Birch-Brunnacker municipal nature reserve in Erlinsbach SO. It is a nationally significant amphibian spawning area. The nature reserve includes a walking path and benches where you can sit and relax. This makes a nature walk an activity in its own right, alongside longer hiking routes.

Distance, duration and elevation gain provide a practical way to compare two hikes. Route 3 is 6 km long, with a stated duration of 2 hours. Both the ascent and descent are approximately 220 metres. Route 4 covers 12 km, takes around 3.5 hours and has approximately 300 metres of ascent and descent. Based on the stated durations, Route 4 takes around an hour and a half longer than Route 3 and covers twice the distance. If you are considering how much time you have available, Route 3 offers a shorter distance and time commitment; Route 4 requires more time for its longer route.

The routes also differ: Route 3 follows the Panorama Trail towards Erlinsbach through the forest. Route 4 leads from Barmelhof through the forest via Breitmis, along the Erzbach. Possible starting points for Route 4 include the car park near the Gugen quarry or the forest entrance by the OE model airfield. The information on starting points, route descriptions and figures comes from the municipal hiking brochure dated April 2022 and may change. Please check it again before setting out.

Chapels, the Forge and Building History

The St. Lawrence Chapel in Erlinsbach was built in 1697 and originally served as the parish church for Obererlinsbach. For a long time, the Erzbach beside the chapel formed the boundary between the Catholic and Reformed populations. A visit to the chapel therefore connects local history with the stream’s historical significance for the two religious communities.

Another glimpse into the area’s building history can be found in Niedererlinsbach: the former forge is an imposing post-Gothic building with a hipped roof. It dates back to the 15th century, while its present appearance largely reflects the period around 1600. The Cäsar-von-Arx House was built in 1830 as a simple farmhouse. The chapel, forge and farmhouse thus represent different architectural styles and periods in Erlinsbach.

More Activities and Places to Eat

If golf is one of your interests, the Heidental golf course is in the neighbouring municipality of Stüsslingen. The course has 18 holes and a driving range. For an outdoor swim, consider the outdoor pools in Aarau and Schönenwerd: they are an easy 15-minute cycle ride from Erlinsbach. These two destinations broaden the range of activities beyond the hiking trails and nature reserve.

Erlinsbach has numerous restaurants where you can enjoy a meal after physical activity. This makes it easy to combine hiking, cycling or other activities with a stop at a local restaurant. Which of these options you prioritise depends on whether you want to focus your trip on nature, exercise, local history or another sporting activity.

Discover more destinations: Kienberg, Wisen, Hauenstein-Ifenthal, Stüsslingen, Trimbach, Lostorf.

Go to the main travel overview: Gösgen.