In Nunningen, village history and Jura landscapes meet a range of ways to spend time outdoors: the hike over Nunningerberg and Stierenberg leads through hills and valleys; in clear weather, the view stretches as far as the Alps. There are also museums, protected cultural sites and paths through natural landscapes. When looking for a holiday apartment in Nunningen, you can consider whether you would like to focus your stay more on hiking, village culture or both.
Jura Landscapes and Trails on Nunningerberg
Nunningen is a municipality in the Thierstein district of the canton of Solothurn, in northwestern Switzerland. It lies in a longitudinal hollow in the northern Solothurn Folded Jura and in the source area of the Chastelbach, which flows into the Birs. Riedberg and Portiflue flank the hollow to the south. Nunningen is also part of the Belchen–Passwang area, which is listed as area 1012 in the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments of National Importance.
On the hike over Nunningerberg and Stierenberg, the landscape is shaped by extensive, species-rich nutrient-poor pastures and mountain forests. If you are looking for a trail with an approximate duration, Nunningen’s forest nature trail is a good option: it starts at Nunningerberghütte and takes about an hour. The route over Nunningerberg and Stierenberg is defined by its landscape, while the forest nature trail offers an approximate time guide of about one hour.
St. Fridli Waterfall can also be reached via Nunninger-Berg. At the waterfall, the Siggbach plunges around 20 metres down over a curved rock face. There is also a Vitaparcours in the Chilchberg area, with a route length of 2.7 kilometres, 3.5 performance kilometres and an elevation gain of 80 metres. These figures describe different aspects of the course and provide specific information about its distance and elevation profile.
The area around Nunningen is well suited to extended mountain biking and cycling tours. There are two e-bike charging stations in Nunningen. If you depend on a charging station, check its current status before setting off. Species-rich nutrient-poor meadows have also been preserved on Nunningerberg as remnants of the old cultural landscape. The Riedberg-Chäppeli – Nunningerberg protected area lies along the mountain path connecting Nunningen with the Passwangstrasse and is designated at both cantonal and national level. Its Folded Jura landscape is characterised by diverse forest communities, dry meadows and pastures, and a striking rock formation.
Village History, Museums and Traditions
The Nunningen Village Museum permanently displays historical objects, most of which come from the village and its immediate surroundings. Its collections include memorabilia relating to Bishop Dr Anton Hänggi, Bishop of Basel, and Dr h. c. Albin Fringeli, the local poet. The Bicycle Museum has a different focus: its wheelchair-accessible exhibition features 40 bicycles from important periods in the development of the bicycle. Among other things, visitors can see a replica of Karl Drais’s 1817 draisine and a high-wheeler by Kirk-Patrick Macmillan from 1878. The collection also includes an Indian rickshaw and a tandem bicycle from 1920.
Nunningen was first mentioned in a document dated 29 July 1152. Alemannic traditions that are still observed today include Fasnacht, disc throwing and Kätheriejagen; check specific event dates in advance. Local cultural heritage can also be explored on a walk: in Nunningen, you can visit various wayside crosses and protected sites. The small St. Wendelin Chapel stands where Chäppeliweg crosses the Riedberg ridge, in a characteristic pine forest. The Chapel of St. Wendelin, with its statues, is designated as a protected site.
Autumn Market as a Seasonal Event
The Nunningen Autumn Market has been held since 1987 on the Saturday before the Day of Prayer. The Nunningen Autumn Market has been held since 1987 on the Saturday before the Day of Prayer. Since the exact date changes every year, it is advisable to check the date before travelling. Depending on the year, the market features handmade food products as well as a raclette stand and a grill stand; many vendors come from Nunningen or the nearby area. The market thus combines a recurring event with regionally influenced offerings, without assuming that these are the same at every edition. Depending on the year, the market features handmade food products as well as a raclette stand and a grill stand; many vendors come from Nunningen or the nearby area. The market thus combines a recurring event with regionally influenced offerings, without assuming that these are the same at every edition.
Discover more destinations: Himmelried, Beinwil, Fehren, Erschwil, Bärschwil
See the overview of the wider region: Thierstein.
