The Verena Gorge

7 Highlights in the Verena Gorge

• A well-maintained hiking trail leads through the Verena Gorge along the babbling brook.
• You can admire steep rock faces and a fascinating landscape along the way.
• The hermitage in the Verena Gorge is a spiritual place that has existed since the 15th century.
• You can enjoy the peace and quiet and admire the impressive architecture of the hermitage.
• The Magdalena and Ölberg caves are fascinating cave formations within the Verena Gorge, which have been decorated with sacred figures.
• St. Martin's Chapel is one of the oldest chapels in Solothurn.
• Three restaurants on the edge of the Verena Gorge invite you to stop for a bite to eat: Einsiedelei, Kreuzen and Pintli.

Places of interest in the Verena Gorge

The Verena Gorge offers a number of sights and attractions that are well worth discovering. The northern entrance to the gorge leads directly to the Verena Chapel, St. Martin's Chapel and the hermit's hut. A little further on are the Magdalena Grotto and the Oelberg Grotto.

Hermitage in the Verena gorge

The hermitage in the Verena Gorge has existed since at least the 15th century and is still inhabited today. It is a place of peace and contemplation where you can admire the impressive architecture of the hermitage.

The hermitage is dedicated to St. Verena. It also has two beautiful chapels. One of them is the oldest chapel in the whole of Solothurn.

The Verena Chapel in its present form dates from the 17th century, although it is assumed that there were predecessor chapels from the 13th to 15th centuries. The Verena Chapel is firmly built into a hollow in the Verenafluh. An alabaster figure inside the chapel depicts St. Verena. The Verena Chapel is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

St. Martin's Chapel is the older of the two chapels in the hermitage. It is thought to have been built in the 13th century at the latest. It stands directly under the natural rock canopy and is unfortunately not open to the public. From Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 - 17:00 you have the opportunity to look into the illuminated interior through a window in the entrance door.

Inside you will see a beautiful baroque interior. The walls and ceiling are mainly painted in pastel colors, the back wall is somewhat dark. Above the entrance is Mary as the Queen of Heaven on a crescent moon. The paintings are dated 1574. The altar of St. Martin's Chapel was renewed in the 17th or 18th century.

The Waldbruderhäuschen is the hermit's residence. It dates from the 17th century and stands opposite the Mount of Olives.

Caves in the Verena Gorge

Within the Verena Gorge, you will find the Magdalena Grotto and the Mount of Olives Grotto slightly above in the rock. The Verena Hole is said to have protected St. Verena during a flood. Putting your hand in it is said to bring luck and blessings.

Next to the Verena Chapel, several terracotta figures lie behind a grid in the Mount of Olives grotto. They are the three disciples John, James and Peter with Peter, in a natural grotto next to St. Verena's Chapel. The group of figures is said to have been created at the end of the 17th century.

You will find the Magdalena Grotto on the ascent to Kreuzen. It contains the stone figure of St. Magdalene. The grotto also has a grille.

Restaurants in the Verena Gorge

There are three restaurants in the very popular Verena Gorge.

The Kreuzen restaurant is located at the western entrance to the Verena Gorge. It has several rooms and is open from Friday to Tuesday. The restaurant, which has been in existence since 1644, is fully wheelchair-accessible.

The Einsiedelei restaurant is located near the southern entrance to the Verena Gorge. It is open all year round from Wednesday to Sunday in the afternoon, and more recently on Sundays from midday. This restaurant is also wheelchair-accessible.

The Pintli restaurant is located near St. Niklaus Church in Solothurn, at the start of the path to the Verena Gorge. It is open from Thursday to Sunday. We recommend trying one of their delicious desserts after a walk through the Verena Gorge.

Activities at the Verena Gorge

As early as the 18th century, the French emigrant Baron Louis-Auguste de Breteuil had a path built along the stream.

Walk to the Verena Gorge

The Verena Gorge is only about two kilometers northeast of the city of Solothurn. A romantic path leads from the Feldbrunnen St. Niklaus cemetery along the stream and through the forest. It takes about 30 minutes. As there are only 40 meters of elevation to conquer, it is more of a leisurely walk suitable for baby carriages.

Trail of lights in the Verena Gorge

Every Christmas, hundreds of tea lights and candles are set up in the Verena Gorge. Local residents traditionally walk into the gorge at Christmas time and take one or more candles with them, which they place along the way. This gives the Verena Gorge a special atmosphere. It is therefore well worth taking a walk to the hermitage at this time of year.

Weissenstein-Passwang hiking trail

The Weissenstein-Passwang hiking trail leads from Solothurn through the Verena Gorge. From here, you walk to the Weissenstein with its panoramic views. There is a stately spa house here. After a breathtaking panoramic view, you descend steeply into the Thal valley and on to Welschenrohr.

Data:

• Length: 15 km
• Duration: 5:00 hrs.
• 900 hm ↑
• 660 hm ↓
• Difficulty: medium

Getting to the Verena Gorge

The Verena Gorge is about two kilometers from Solothurn and is easily accessible via the hiking trail. The gorge itself may not be entered, not even by mountain bike.

The Verena Gorge can be reached via three entrances. A public parking lot is located at the west entrance near the Kreuzen restaurant. There are no direct parking spaces at the north and south entrances, but you can park at the Feldbrunnen St. Niklaus cemetery.

By train

The Interregio takes you from Bern to Solothurn in about 35 minutes. Here you take the BSU bus no. 4 in the direction of Rüttenen and get off at the St. Niklaus church stop. The footpath starts right at the bus stop and takes you along the stream through the Verena Gorge to the hermitage.

By car

The best way to reach Solothurn from Bern is via the A1/E25. You will be in Solothurn in about 40 minutes.

The Verena Gorge is easily accessible by car. From Solothurn, take the Kreuzenstrasse and drive to about 200 m before the Kreuzen restaurant. There is a public parking lot here.

Alternatively, you can use the parking lot at Feldbrunnen cemetery and walk along the path by the stream. And if you can't find a parking space here either, there is also the option of parking at Waldegg Castle. This parking lot is about 600m from Feldbrunnen cemetery.