Etziken combines its striking water tower with hiking and cycling routes in the Wateramt. The municipality is located in the Wasseramt district of the Canton of Solothurn in Switzerland. It lies at around 479 m above sea level and approximately 9 km east of Solothurn as the crow flies. The municipal area includes part of the gently rolling moraine landscape in the outer Wateramt, shaped by the Rhône Glacier during the last ice age. In 1997, 12 percent of land use was allocated to settlements, 32 percent to forests and wooded areas, and 56 percent to agriculture. Agriculture was therefore the largest of the three stated land-use categories.

Landmark and hiking starting point

The Etziken water tower is a landmark of the municipality and is depicted on its coat of arms. It stands at 522 m above sea level on one of the highest points in the Wasseramt. For hikers, it is also a clearly identified starting point: the “To Burgäschisee in the Wasseramt” hike begins at the Etziken water tower. The name refers to Burgäschisee as the destination, connecting a local landmark with a specific excursion theme.

Forest and hiking trails

The forest in Etziken is a popular local recreation area. For hikers, there is also a longer option: the approximately 44 km Wateramt forest hike is too long for a day trip and is divided into four suggested stages. If you are considering a longer hiking plan, you can use these stages as a guide for dividing up the route. The information distinguishes between the two hiking options by their scope: the hike to Burgäschisee has a named starting point at the water tower; the forest hike extends beyond a day trip and offers four suggested stages.

Cycling the Wateramt loop

On a bicycle, the water tower plays a different role than it does on the hike: it comes into view on the Wateramt loop, while the hike to Burgäschisee begins at the tower. The section of the loop to Burgäschi follows SwitzerlandMobility cycling route 802. Burgäschisee is a good place to take a break. The activities therefore differ not only in their mode of transport: the hike has a named start and destination, while the cycling loop offers specific points of reference in the route, the visible tower and the possible stop by the lake.

Forest walk and Christmas tree sale

The Etziken forest walk provides information about the forest and its use. It takes place every two years on the first Saturday in July at 13:00. If this event is a deciding factor in your trip, check the date for the year in question. In December, you can choose a personal Christmas tree at the forest’s Christmas tree sale and have it felled. The two activities offer different seasonal highlights: the forest walk takes place every two years in July, while choosing a tree is a December activity.

For planning your trip, you can sort the activities by type or season: a named hiking starting point, a multi-stage hike and a cycling loop offer different ways to experience Etziken and the Wasseramt. The forest walk and Christmas tree sale, on the other hand, take place at specific times of the year. You can first decide whether a route or a seasonal event should be the main focus of your trip.

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