Bolken combines natural and cultural heritage at Inkwilersee with a seasonal group activity at Degenmooshof. The political municipality is in the Wasseramt district of the Canton of Solothurn in Switzerland. Its character is defined by three themes: the lake as a nature reserve, the pile-dwelling settlement on the island, and working together to guide a flock of sheep with the Sheep Whisperer. If you are looking for a holiday apartment for a stay in Bolken, these different highlights can help you decide what suits your travel interests.
Landscape around Inkwilersee
Bolken lies in a moraine landscape in the outer Wasseramt, shaped by the Rhone Glacier during the last Ice Age. The municipality extends from a formerly boggy plain with Inkwilersee to the hill above Bolken. The highest point within the municipality is 503 m above sea level. Bolken includes the western part of Inkwilersee and half of the island in the lake. Inkwilersee is a kettle lake that formed in a depression as the Rhone Glacier retreated around 13,000 years ago.
Nature conservation and nature experiences
On the Solothurn side of Inkwilersee, the lake and its shoreline are designated as a cantonal nature reserve. The protected area is particularly rich in dragonfly species. At the same time, Inkwilersee in the nature reserve invites visitors to relax and linger. The lake is therefore both a protected natural area and a defining place to visit in Bolken.
Pile-dwelling history and visitor information
The pile-dwelling settlement on the island in Inkwilersee in Bolken has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. It is the only pile-dwelling settlement in the region with finds from the Late Bronze Age, dating from 1200 to 800 BC. Thus, two very different periods meet at the same lake: the formation of the kettle lake around 13,000 years ago and the much more recent Bronze Age settlement finds.
An information board in the municipality of Bolken near Inkwilersee points visitors to the archaeological site. The visitor information from 2021 stated that the site itself was not visible and was inaccessible. Check local access conditions before visiting.
Activities and getting around
At the Sheep Whisperer experience at Degenmooshof in Bolken, participants work together to guide a flock of sheep. This nature-based experience is designed as a team-building activity. It lasts around one and a half to two hours and is offered from April to October. If you include it in your plans, confirm the current season and participation arrangements in advance.
The two horse-drawn carriages of Event Kutsche are sprung and can be fully enclosed to protect passengers from wind and weather; vehicle arrangements may change. As arrangements may change, confirm the details before planning. Another information board covers hunting and fishing along the Urzeitenweg. It is located in Bolken on Seestrasse, by Stegmatte on the southwestern shore of Inkwilersee.
Discover more destinations: Kriegstetten, Biberist, Subingen, Zuchwil, Horriwil, Luterbach, Hersiwil, Aeschi.
Go to the main travel overview: Wasseramt.
