Stroll through Kaiseraugst and the Roman Colony Augusta Raurica

(This post published on December 26, 2025. No notes taken at the time).

Sunday October 27, 2013 -- On this Sunday afternoon we didn't want to do a big hike, so traveled in the direction of Basel in the Northeast corner of Switzerland to have a walk around the site of the Roman Colony of Augusta Raurica, one of the most important Roman sites in Switzerland and the oldest known colony on the Rhine.

Information from the website: https://www.augustaraurica.ch/en/archaeology/city-history

"The capital of the colony Augusta Raurica was constructed around 15 BC. Within 200 years the town developed into a regional metropolis and flourishing trade centre with some 15,000 inhabitants. This was possible not least because of its location on the intersection between the River Rhine and the north-south axis linking the Rhineland with Italy and the west-east route from Gaul to the Danube and Raetia."

Here are a few photos of the archeological site, and from the walk we did around the town of Kaiseraugst with a short stretch along the Rhine River there. 

Heading into the town of Kaiseraugst, we pass a remaining piece of the original Roman fortress wall. 

Walking past the town's church. 

Pretty Houses

Lovely window decorations

This is the St.Gallus Catholic church. Information from Wikipedia: "It stands on the foundations of a church considered one of the oldest Christian places of worship in Switzerland. Below the church, a baptistery dating from the 4th or 5th century is built into the bank of the Rhine. The church tower dates from the 14th century, while the Baroque interior was completely redesigned between 1736 and 1750."    

Along the river there is an open-air museum where we had a look inside at what used to be the Roman Rhine Baths. (More information HERE)

A map shows all the archeological sites of the old Roman city, built in 15 BC and flourishing 200 years later.  

Starting at the train station, we first walked into the actual town of Kaiseraugst, then along the river past one excavation which included the Roman baths, then we walked to the Amphitheater (which wasn't really impressive, and then ended at the large Roman Theater and Temple on the hill, and that was more impressive. We took a little over two hours to do this loop.

Heading south now through the site of the various Roman structures, we pass the ruins of what is called the Grienmatt Sanctuary, which might have been a place of pilgrimage for the sick. See also HERE on the Website. 

We then passed the outer walls of the Amphitheater, the southernmost point of the loop walk around the site. 

Back at the main Roman Theater about 25 minutes later, this structure was much more interesting!

Directly across from the theater are the steps up to the temple. 

This is what is left of the Temple on Schönbühl Hill. "In the late 3rd century the temple became a ‘stone quarry’: parts of it were removed and reused elsewhere. That is why only the core of the temple podium has survived. The recesses on the sides show where the columns used to be." 

Roman Theater seen from Schönbühl Hill

Panorama view of the Roman Theater. 

What our little walk around Kaiseraugst and the remains of the Roman Colony Augusta Raurica looks like on Google Satellite Maps. 

Foggy Hike along the Schächen Valley High Trail, from Biel-Kinzig to Eggbergen.

(This post published December 15, 2025. NOTE: The owners of the Alpstubli Selez retired after 2020 and the little restaurant is no longer in operation.)

Wednesday October 9, 2013 -- Urs wanted to take me on one of his favourite hikes in Canton Uri near Flüelen and Altdorf, which requires a cable car ride to a high trail (part of the Schächentaler High Trail) to Biel/Kinzig, and from there you walk about 2½ hours (8-9 km) to Eggbergen where you take another cable car down to Flüelen. 

On the way is a favourite restaurant, a little mountain inn called Alpstubli Selez which serves the best macaroni and cheese, Swiss Style (with Schabziger cheese sauce) and fabulous grilled pork steaks!

Unfortunately we had fog the whole way (can't win them all!) but enjoyed the walk most of the way. Along the way was a small shelter with a fountain and a supply of sirups where you could have a drink (called the Sirup Bar). This was run by a private individual who stopped doing this in 2014, unfortunately. It was a fun feature.

First we took the cable-car from Bürglen (Brügg) to Biel-Kinzig summit station, from where there is a short uphill walk, and then a fairly level and wide road heading westward. Along the way you pass this little hut called "The Sirup Bar". We got here at 12:20 after about a 40-minute walk from the cable-car station. 

A local resident keeps the hut, built around a water trough, stocked with syrups and cups, and you can help yourself for free. (Side note: A year after we were here, the gentleman stopped doing this, which is a shame, because this was such a cool feature). 

We didn't get much of a view, as the fog didn't lift here at all. 

We got to the Alpstubli Selez at about 1 p.m. The fog hasn't let up at all. Usually you can sit outside to enjoy a meal and the fantastic view, but we were glad to be able to go inside on this day!

Once we got to the Alpstubli Selez, we could sit inside in the warmth of their "living room". We were served the best mountain macaroni (Aelplermagronen) with the even better grilled pork steaks 

Ironically, our place-mats showed us the view which we should have had on this hike!

At shortly after 2 p.m., it was time to continue on our hike toward Eggbergen. This little barn is part of the Selez alpine farm. 

After a long walk to the summit and then down through forested areas, we reached the first farms in Eggbergen at about 3 p.m. It's always nice to visit with the cows!

That's a huge bell which she is wearing!

Alpine pastures as we head down toward the cable-car station in Eggbergen. 

By 3:30 p.m. we were on the cable-car back down to the Reuss Valley at Flüelen. 

Before heading home, we walked around the alleys in the town of Flüelen. 

This is the very south end of the Uri arm of Lake Luzern. Even the foggy weather won't prevent people from enjoying a boat ride on the lake!

A dominant landmark in the town of Flüelen. 

Biel-Kinzing summit station to Eggbergen via Alpe Selez (approx. 8 km, 2.5 hours)