Section 2 of the Jura Crest Trail: From Staffelegg to Brugg

Sunday October 4, 2020 -- A cold front has hit, with lots of rain and snow in many parts of the country (lots of major flooding..). So now we are looking for hikes in the "lowlands".

Not much good weather in the forecast, but we were lucky on this Sunday with a window of blue skies (albeit icy winds!) in the region near where we live, so we undertook a section of the Jura Crest Trail (one of seven national trails, this one 320km linking Zurich and Geneva) which I have wanted to do for a while: An 18-km stretch from Staffelegg pass North of Aarau, to the city of Brugg. (This is Section 2. We have done Sections 1&3, both in half-sections, and the last three 14-16)

The Staffelegg pass is an important crossing of the Jura chain, connecting Aarau with the Fricktal Valley and Schenkenberg Valley (we have hiked in the latter valley before, there is a beautiful castle ruins which we explored at the time).

This 18-km stretch is mostly on wide forest or paved country roads, so not difficult, but also not particularly interesting, as we were mostly in the forest and didn't pass through any interesting hamlets or farms. There were a few view points where we got glimpses of the snow-covered (but also cloud-covered) Alps and the famous Habsburg and Wildegg castles on the Aar River. Perhaps the place of greatest interest would be the linden tree in the town of Linn: The "Linner Linde" is the largest Linden Tree in Switzerland, possibly also almost 400 years old, as legend has it that the last remaining survivor of the village of Linn planted this tree in the year 1668 on the graves of all the people in the village who died of the plague....

At the Staffelegg Pass: 2 hrs. 15 minutes to the largest linden tree in Switzerland, and 4 hrs. 15 minutes to Brugg. Which is quite exactly how long it took us.

Looking back at the Staffelegg Pass (on the left) where we got off the bus (having come up from Aarau)

Looking directly East toward Zurich. The hill is called Chestenberg, and below it is Holderbank. On the very right would be Schloss Wildegg

This is called a "Tree Chapel". They are specially prepared by planting four trees in a square, with a bench in the middle for travelers like us to enjoy a shady and peaceful rest (we learned that from the information board on the right)

Lovely pastoral rolling hills in this area

A zoomed view into the Alps to the South. I should know what these peaks are called, but because of the cloud cover, I can't place them.

This is a look-out point on Mt. Linnerberg. There were several other people up here, who told us that the lake in the back is Lake Hallwilersee

Descending from Mt. Linnerberg to the village of Linn

A view of the mighty "Linner Linde" from above

Legend has it, this tree was planted on a mass grave of all the people from the village who died during the plague

The largest linden tree in Switzerland, and possibly 400 years old

First glimpse of the city of Brugg on the left. The peaks behind it (actually in Baden, the next large city over) are called the Lägeren, and they are part of the first section of the Jura Crest Trail. We have walked over them twice already.

Most of our walk was through the forest on wide forestry roads

Near "Vierlinden", a view South to the Aar River, and at the circle is the Castle called Schloss Wildegg.

Zoomed view of the Wildegg Castle, which we also have visited before!

And slightly Southeast is the Habsburg castle, with some very large-looming Glarner Alps in the background! (also a very zoomed-in view). 

We found a great spot near a fountain, time for a coffee break

"Gäbiweg". Not sure if climbing into the junipers was such a great idea

Heading toward Brugg. The trail actually follows the mountainside to the left, and we approach the town from the North

Looking down at old town Brugg from the North side

Brugg is a very old city (there are Roman Ruins -- Vindonissa -- on the South side of the city). This "Black Tower" is first mentioned in documents from 1238, and the lower part of the tower is built from stones from the abandoned Roman ruins of Vindonissa.

Crossing the Aar River into the city. Just North of here, the Reuss and Limmat Rivers join the Aar for the rest of its journey to the Rhine. 

Over 17 km to walk from Staffelegg to Brugg. Took us 4.5 hours. This is Section 2 of Trail no.5: Jura Crest Trail. On a previous occasion we have walked from Brugg via the Habsburg castle to the Wildegg Castle, Trail no.42

Several hikes in this area as well

In November 2014 we visited the Schenkenberg Ruins near the Staffelegg Pass