Himmelried lies on the southern Gempen Plateau at the foot of Homberg. Dry grassland, a stream and traces of different eras give the place many facets: you can explore nature conservation and the landscape, learn about archaeological history or look at the village’s buildings.
Location and Getting There
Himmelried lies 662 metres above sea level, south of Basel and above the Chastelbach Valley. North of the village, Homberg reaches 793 metres above sea level. The Kastelbach stream flows through Himmelried from Vorderer Igraben to the border of the canton of Basel-Landschaft. These details place the village in its landscape without requiring you to follow a particular route.
Postbuses run from Grellingen via Himmelried to Nunningen and back. If you are planning to use this connection, check the timetable for your day of travel. This lets you coordinate your journey with the sights that interest you locally, without having to plan a specific length of stay.
Nature Reserve and Hiking Landscape
Below Himmelried lies Latschgetweid, a 3.3-hectare dry meadow. It has been protected under an agreement between Pro Natura and the municipality since 1972, and has also been a cantonal nature reserve since 1988. Around 50 butterfly species and 16 grasshopper species are found there. A path leads directly into Latschgetweid, and information boards are on site. This makes it possible to understand the protected area not just as a landscape, but also through its wildlife.
The Chastelbach–Chaltbrunnental circular hike offers a different perspective. It first follows the Chastelbach stream in the direction of Himmelried. The return route passes through the Chaltbrunnental valley, with moss-covered rocks and shaded stretches of forest. Parts of the loop follow the informative karst nature trail. It is worth checking current trail conditions before setting out.
Archaeology and Village History
The Kastelhöhle cave in Himmelried is associated with the Palaeolithic: Neanderthals sought shelter there more than 40,000 years ago. The cave was excavated between 1948 and 1950 and is very important to Palaeolithic research. This makes it a distinctive historical landmark, whether your main interest is the landscape or cultural history.
The Church of St. Francis Xavier was built in the winter of 1807/08 and consecrated in 1810 by Bishop Franz Xaver von Neveu. The Neoclassical hall church has a steep gabled roof, and the tower is attached on the eastern side. A historic baptismal font inside the church dates from 1513. The same building therefore brings together different periods: the baptismal font from the early 16th century and the church from the early 19th century.
The Roman Bridge is also part of the village’s history. It crosses the Chastelbach between Waldeck and the Steffen area and has been protected as a cantonal monument since 1944. Today it is once again used as a farm track and hiking trail. Its use as a route and its protected status make it a different kind of historic site from the church or the Kastelhöhle cave.
Local Products and Brewery Tour
Various residents of Himmelried sell local products. A list of available products can be downloaded; as individual sellers and their offerings may change, it is a useful guide when planning.
Chastelbach Brewery produces Chastelbach beers using traditional brewing methods and spring water from Himmelried. It offers tailored brewery tours for groups, companies and clubs of 10 to around 20 people, with freshly tapped beer and a light snack. Arrangements may need to be made in advance. This group activity is quite different from the freely accessible places of interest in the landscape, so it should be planned separately if you are interested.
Discover more destinations: Bärschwil, Fehren, Erschwil, Nunningen, Beinwil.
Back to the wider travel overview: Thierstein.
