At Frohburg, the first fortifications date back to around 1050. The castle was once the ancestral seat of the Counts of Frohburg and was first documented in 1237. Its ruins are among the largest medieval castle ruins in the Jura. They are accessible year-round and offer views of the Jura. Check local access information before your visit.
Castles and village history
Wartenfels Castle is also a landmark of Lostorf. The castle has a Baroque garden with classical elements. During the summer months, the castle is open to the public on weekends; check visiting hours before your visit. Gösgen offers a variety of historical discoveries: the ruins of a former count’s castle and a castle with a garden.
In Stüsslingen, the roughly 4-kilometre-long journey through time takes visitors through the village, with ten stops along the way. It starts at the historically protected cemetery church and ends at the chapel in Rohr. The route is particularly suitable for families, school classes and history enthusiasts. The stops link the route through the village with its history; the starting point and destination provide a clear framework for the walk.
The Lostorf Village Museum is housed in a former Taunerhaus in the northern part of the old village centre. The building dates from the late 18th or early 19th century. Spread over three floors, the museum shows how families lived in the past. Each year, it hosts a variety of art, themed and special exhibitions, as well as cultural events such as concerts and readings. A bookable apéritif can be added to a guided tour. Private and group tours can be arranged by prior booking; contact the museum in advance to arrange your tour.
In Niedergösgen, the castle church was built in 1903 and 1904 on the site of the ruins of Falkenstein Castle. The former keep has served as the church tower ever since. This church brings together an older castle complex and a later church building in one structure.
Hiking and discovering the landscape
The Erlinsbach hiking trails are signposted routes through Buerwald, between Erlinsbach, Stüsslingen and Niedergösgen, and through Gugen. The three hikes described take between 1¾ and 2½ hours; actual walking time depends on conditions. They lead to spots in Erlinsbach Forest and offer the opportunity to use renovated fire pits. By allowing enough time for a hike, visitors can compare the different routes based on their stated durations.
Other hiking trails in the Gösgen area pass through extensive forests, along the meandering Aare and over prominent elevations such as Froburg Hill and Wasserfluh. In Kienberg, Route 5 connects a viewpoint, two ruins and an old gypsum quarry. The former gypsum quarry is a habitat for rare heat- and sun-loving plant and animal species. The hiking trails bring together viewpoints, historic sites and a special habitat.
Cycling along the Aare
National cycle route No. 5, the Mittelland Route, runs along the Aare Canal through Obergösgen. There are numerous picnic areas and fire pits along the banks of the Aare in Obergösgen. Lostorf lies on national cycle routes 5, the Mittelland Route, and 8, the Aare Route. Check the exact routes of the Mittelland Route and the Aare Route before setting off. The wider area around Gösgen district, which is part of the Olten Tourism region, is home to charming villages, Jura pastures, Aare beaches and deep gorges.
Gösgen district lies at the southern foot of the Jura between Olten and Aarau. It is the easternmost district of the canton of Solothurn and borders the canton of Aargau; its main town is Niedergösgen.
Discover more destinations: Lostorf, Kienberg, Stüsslingen, Erlinsbach, Trimbach, Wisen, Hauenstein-Ifenthal, Thierstein.
View the overview of destinations: Solothurn.
