In the Solothurn Jura, hiking trails in Gänsbrunnen meet traces of regional history: St. Joseph’s parish church, the Gänsbrunnen barrier and several nature and hiking routes. Destinations range from a church building to trails across ridges, forests and pastures.

Gänsbrunnen in the Valley

Gänsbrunnen is a locality in the municipality of Welschenrohr-Gänsbrunnen in the Thal district of the canton of Solothurn. It lies at 731 m above sea level and, as the crow flies, eight kilometres northwest of Solothurn. The settlement is dispersed across a basin in the Bantlibach valley, at the western end of the Jura longitudinal valley from Balsthal and at the northern foot of the Weissenstein range. In the basin, the Bantlibach and Rüschbach join to form the La Raus, which flows northwest through the Gänsbrunnen gorge to the Birs.

Church and Fortress History

On a north-facing slope of the valley, the parish church and rectory form a picturesque architectural ensemble. St. Joseph’s parish church was built in 1626–1628 as a post-Gothic mountain chapel. The term “post-Gothic” refers to the architectural style that followed the Gothic period; “mountain chapel” describes both its ecclesiastical form and its hillside location.

The Gänsbrunnen barrier is of national importance. It protects the north portal of the Weissenstein Tunnel and the narrow pass north of the village. The Solothurn Jura Fortifications Association regularly offers public guided tours; additional opening times are available on request. Check the tour dates with the association if you would like to include this activity in your stay.

Hikes with Different Destinations

The hike from Gänsbrunnen to Oberdörfer starts at Gänsbrunnen station and passes military bunkers. It reaches a picnic area on the ridge; at the Backihaus, the trail continues to Oberdörfer. If you would like to use the picnic area, check the applicable rules on lighting fires beforehand, as they may change.

The Juraweg Thal’s “Königstour” runs from Gänsbrunnen to Balsthal along the second Jura chain. It follows official hiking trails and is marked with Juraweg stickers on the signposts. Check trail conditions before setting out.

“Husis Reise” and Subigerberg

The “Husis Reise” nature trail is signposted from Gänsbrunnen. The roughly one-hour hike passes through forests and pastures and includes 14 clearly marked stops. The Subigerberg bird-ringing station is at the end of the trail; the visitor centre is open seasonally. During the seasonal ringing campaign, visitors can watch the bird ringers at work and perhaps release a bird themselves. The approximate duration helps you plan how much time to allow for “Husis Reise”; the stops give the nature hike a thematic framework.

The trails differ in destination and layout: the hike to Oberdörfer passes over the ridge and by the Backihaus, the “Königstour” runs to Balsthal along the second Jura chain, while “Husis Reise” is a roughly one-hour themed trail with 14 stops.

Discover more destinations: Balsthal, Welschenrohr.

Back to the regional travel overview: Thal.