Thal Nature Park

12 Highlights Thal Nature Park

• The vantage points Wasserfallen, Balmberg and Hinterer Weissenstein let you enjoy a breathtaking view of the mountain landscape.
• The geological nature trail Gänsbrunnen gives insight into the history of the formation of the Jura and shows the different rock layers that occur in the region.
• Many animal species live in the nature park, including lynxes, chamois and amphibians, which you can observe during hikes or from special places.
• In the nature park, visitors can learn about a variety of native plant species. These include orchids and roses.
• The modern outdoor swimming pool Moos is located in the middle of a green oasis in Balsthal.
• Indoor pools in Brühl Mümliswil and in Balsthal offer swimming experiences on 25-meter lanes.
• In Matzendorf there is a western riding facility that offers courses, training and tournaments in summer.
• Rope park and summer toboggan run await visitors aged 6 and over in Langenbruck.
• The mountain bike trails in the Thal Nature Park vary between medium and difficult trails.
• In winter, other ski lifts are in operation in addition to the family-friendly Balmberg ski mountain.
• Guided tours and excursions in Thal Nature Park teach visitors more about nature and the park's history.
• Regular events, including festivals and markets, attract visitors.

For an overview of nature parks in Switzerland, see our article on the 20 most beautiful Swiss nature parks.

What awaits you in the Thal Nature Park

The Thal Nature Park covers an area of 139 km² and eight municipalities in the canton of Solothurn. A total of about 15,000 inhabitants live in this area. With its location in the triangle between Bern, Zurich and Basel, it is very easy to reach.

Place	Special
Aedermannsdorf	The village is situated on the sunny side of the Thal Nature Park. Many individual farms belong to it. In Aedermannsdorf starts an access to the Jura Trail Thal
Balsthal	Balsthal is characterized by the castles Alt- and Neu-Falkenstein. The Holzweg Thal starts here.
Herbetswil	The village of Herbetswil is characterized by old farmhouses and the St. Johannes church. From here you quickly reach the Wolfsschlucht.
Holderbank SO	Surrounded by a forest belt, the village lies in the eastern part of the park.
Laupersdorf	The village is situated in the center of the nature park. It is known for the annual fountain festival on Corpus Christi.
Matzendorf	From Matzendorf you can quickly reach the pilgrimage chapel of St. Anthony in Horngraben. Paragliding flights from Matzendorf show the nature park from above.
Mümliswil-Ramiswil	The village of Ramiswil is situated in the Guldental and has an old mill that you can visit.
Welschenrohr-Gänsbrunnen	The community is characterized by the watch industry. Well-known highlights in the vicinity are the Zwergliweg and the Bärenloch.

Three valleys and three Jura chains lie in the nature park. Again, three passes flank the nature park: Passwang, Weissenstein and Oberer Hauenstein. More than 50% of the nature park consists of forest.

When you turn off from the densely populated and industrialized Mittelland - with its busy A1 highway - towards Balsthal, you will be surprised at the beautiful landscape that opens up before your eyes. You could almost say that the park is an insider's tip that you don't just discover by chance.

The Thal Nature Park is located between the two southernmost ranges of the Jura mountain chain and is a true paradise for nature lovers. Numerous wooded hills and lush meadows await you, but also rugged limestone cliffs and impressive gorges as well as isolated castle ruins. The Thal Nature Park is also home to native animals. So keep your eyes open for chamois, lizards or stoats.

There are several lookout points in the Thal Nature Park that offer beautiful views of the landscape. Here are some of the most famous ones:

• Wasserfallen: The mountain station of the cable car to the Wasserfallen (922 m above sea level) allows a spectacular panoramic view.
• Hinterer Weissenstein: At 1395 m above sea level, the Weissenstein is the highest peak in the Thal Nature Park. From the summit you have a breathtaking view.
• Balmberg: The Balmberg (1078 m above sea level) is a popular excursion destination in the Thal Nature Park and also offers a beautiful view of the Thal Nature Park and the surrounding mountains. The pass connects Günsberg with Welschenrohr. In the nature park Thal you will find many more beautiful places where you can enjoy the landscape.

How to best explore the Thal Nature Park

The Thal Nature Park has a lot to offer. Various hiking trails, biking routes and bicycle paths lead through the park. Between May 1 and November 1, the nature park bus, which is specially designed for hikers, runs on Sundays and holidays.

Rugged cliffs and virtually untouched wilderness alongside rolling green hills and homely villages attract visitors. Paragliders also come to the Jura mountains time and again. The Thal Nature Park scores with magnificent views of the mountain landscape and the valleys.

The high-altitude trail from Balsthal to Weissenstein

This high-level trail can be hiked or covered by mountain bike. When the weather is clear, you can enjoy a wonderful panorama of the Alps along the way.

Hike to the Weissenstein

The steep ascent of the high trail from Balsthal to the Weissenstein is arduous. But it is rewarded with wonderful vantage points and a view of the alpine panorama. The end point is the mountain station of the Weissenstein cable car.

Route data:

• Length: 21 km
• Time: 6:40 hrs.
• Altitude gain: 1300↑, 500↓
• Technique: easy
• Condition: difficult

MTB tour to the Weissenstein

This route can also be covered by mountain bike. The mountain bike route Weissenstein-Balsthal is on the Schweizmobil Route 44 (stage 3) and is rather something for advanced bikers. It runs from top to bottom and thus starts on the Weissenstein. Varied trail types include single trails through the forest, hiking trails across pastures and meadows and wider ascending forest trails.

From Weissenstein, you ride through the forest into the valley. You pass the Schafmatthof and take a climb to the Malsenberg. The further way leads along the dry stone wall on the Probstenberg and over the Tannmatt. You come to the mountain inn Güggel and also pass the mountain inn Stierenberg at 1076 m above sea level. Now it's all downhill, past the mountain inn Bremgarten and the hamlet Höngen to Balsthal.

Some leisurely walks, which are also ideal for families

• Nature trail Hinterer Weissenstein: This circular trail starts at the mountain station of the Oberdorf-Weissenstein cable car. It leads through the forest and offers information about the various trees, shrubs and the animals that live here.
• The circular trail starts at the mill Ramiswil and is 3.6 km long. The smartphone guides you and gives you all the information. Activation on the SmarTrails Mobile site costs CHF 10.- per device. There are also playful elements along the way. However, the trail is not suitable for strollers (stairs and short steep parts).
• Geological nature trail Gänsbrunnen: You get an insight into the history of the formation of the Jura and see the different rock layers that occur in the region. The trail leads through forests and across meadows and offers a beautiful view.
• Waldlehrpfad Balmberg: This nature trail through the forest on the Balmberg shows the different tree species and their importance for the forest. Wilderness Trail Thal: This nature trail takes you through the wild nature of the Thal. It shows the diverse flora and fauna and informs about general rules of conduct in nature. Wooden path Thal: The wooden path, prepared by an artist, is especially designed for families and children. It starts in Balsthal and ends in Holderbank, about 5 km from its starting point.

Three mountain bike trails in the Thal Nature Park

These three routes are just a selection from various MTB possibilities in the Thal Nature Park.

Thal round tour:

• Duration: approx. 2 hours
• Difficulty: medium
• Description: This circular tour starts in Niederbuchsiten and leads through forests and meadows, past small streams and through charming villages.

Alp Tour:

• Duration: approx. 3 hours
• Difficulty: difficult
• Description: This tour through the high alpine landscape of the Thal Nature Park offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. It starts in Mümliswil and leads over steep climbs and technically challenging trails.

Jurahöhenweg:

• Duration: approx. 4 hours
• Difficulty: medium
• Description: The Jurahöhenweg lets you ride along the Jura mountains from Balsthal. The tour leads through forests and open fields, past breathtaking viewpoints and historical sights.

The Route Verte passes through the Thal Nature Park, among other places, on its way from Schaffhausen to Geneva. The third stage starts in Balsthal and ends in St. Ursanne in the canton of Jura. Apart from this route, the park is more suitable for bikers than for leisurely cyclists, as the flanks of the Thal are sometimes very steep.

Other activities in the Thal Nature Park

Outdoor pool and indoor swimming pool in Balsthal, the western riding facility in Matzendorf or summer toboggan run and rope park in Langenbruck. The list of possible activities is long.

The Nature Park website offers a wealth of further information on experiences, overnight accommodations, mountain restaurants, hikes, sports activities and events.

How to get to the Thal Nature Park

You can reach the nature park Thal from several directions by public transport. Be it by train via Oensingen and Balsthal, by cable car via Solothurn and Weissenstein or by post bus from the canton Basel-Landschaft.

The park is also well accessible by car, as it has direct access to the A1 freeway via Oensingen and is not far from the Egerkingen freeway junction.