Wisenberg Tower, Ruins of Castle Homburg, and the Rümlingen Viaduct in Basel Land

Saturday March 26, 2022 -- Another day to attempt another hike to another look-out tower (Wisenberg in Canton Basel Land)... again with less clear skies than I had hoped! But we knew this was the case, and so we made sure that our 11-km trail also took us to a fabulous castle ruins (Homburg near Läufelfingen) and we walked till the train station in Rümlingen, where the oldest railway viaduct in operation in Switzerland still stands strong (1858).

Some details:

The Wisenberg tower was built in 1923, is 24.5 meters high, and boasts panorama views all the way to the Alps, on a clear day! Also, the tower is just over the Canton border, so even though we started our hike in the village of Wisen in Canton Solothurn, we crossed into Canton Basel Land right at the tower....

Homberg Castle was originally built in 1240 by Graf Hermann IV von Frohburg, later purchased by the Bishop of Basel who built the mighty residence tower in the early 14th Century. In 1400 the city of Basel made this the seat of the Bailiffs (Overseers). After the French Revolution, the farmers revolted against the bailiffs and burnt the castle in 1798. The remains were slowly transported off to use as building materials elsewhere.

And finally, the Rümlingen Viaduct on the Basel-Olten train line (Hauenstein Linie) was built in 1853 out of natural stone, and still supports the weight of trains after 150 years! It is a charming architectural construction, and is the oldest viaduct on the Swiss Railway network that is still in its original condition... Urs is very proud to say that he has studied copies of the original blueprints, which are filed in the SBB archives where he works! (The originals are in a different, historical archive).

Our hike started in the village called Wisen (in Canton Solothurn)

Heading up the hill toward the tower, here is a look down at the village of Wisen where we started. The air is very hazy.

Another 10+ km hike, starting in Wisen (Canton Solothurn), crossing the canton border at the tower, then via the Homburg Castle Ruins and Häfelfingen to Rümlingen

Here at the Wisenberg Tower we cross the Canton border into Canton Basel Land. The tower is just about 25 meters tall

A hazy view of the Baselland countryside from the viewing platform

View to the North

Picnic area at the foot of the tower. Our trail continues through the forest in that direction

Heading back down the tower

The bear garlic is sprouting! I love forest walks in the springtime, because the forest floors are a thick carpet of green, covered in bear garlic

A look back at the Wisenberg Tower before heading down the hill

We're heading down toward that farm, but bypassing it on the left. The road which heads to the left ends at the castle ruins. Right below us is the Spa at Bad Ramsach.

An interesting spot on our way down the steep hillside: It's called "Tüfelschuchi", which is Swiss-German for "Devil's Kitchen". If there had been a bench here, we would have had our lunch in the "Devil's Kitchen". From here we go to Bad Ramsach, the steep trail (15 minutes)

Heading down the steep trail

Lots of interesting rocky outcroppings here

We found a lovely sunny clearing in the forest, AND a bench. A perfect spot for our picnic lunch

Past Bad Ramsach (a Spa Center) and down that road we saw from above, and we reach the magnificent ruins of the Homburg Castle

A look up at the residence tower from the back side. The tower was built in the first half of the 14th Century by the Bishop of Basel.

Entering into the residence tower. A spiral stone staircase inside on the left takes us up to the top of the tower. No admission fee required!!

At the top of the Homburg Castle ruins. The residence tower was originally totally finished in wood inside (walls, ceilings, floors) which was all totally destroyed in the fires of 1798. The bailiffs had anticipated the revolt and managed to rescue the furnishings.

The surrounding landscape of Canton Basel Land

On this side, to the South, is the city of Läufelfingen and the Hauenstein pass (you can see it to the left of the pointed part of the wall. )

You can see where the wooden beams used to be placed to make the floors (all burned in the fires). This floor was the Bailiff's living quarters, thus the larger windows.

Heading back down the narrow spiral staircase!

What fun climbing up inside the ruins of a castle!

I am standing inside the original stable building to take this photo.

This aerial photo is taken from the Internet, from the website https://www.archaeologie.bl.ch/. It shows the entire grounds of the castle quite nicely.

After leaving the castle, we joined National Trail no.7: Via Gottardo, on our way to Rümlingen via Häfelfingen.

This area is a large region of cherry orchards. The cherries are not yet blossoming, but some other early fruit is already on the way!

Heading down into the village of Häfelfingen. On the other side, under that tree, is a bench, and the next coffee break!

We passed a self-serve farm store inside a large barn, and bought a liter of apple juice produced from the local high-growth apple trees.

Several magnificent peacocks in this yard. Truly an amazing bird.

In Häfelfingen

Ah, blossoms

Now we crossed the valley and are enjoying our apple juice on the bench under the tree.

A look down at the village of Häfelfingen

These are some magnificent blossoming trees!!!!

And now we've reached the famous viaduct in Rümlingen, just as the train is crossing it to the Rümlingen Station.

VIDEO:

Local City Train from Olten to Sissach on the Hauenstein Line

over the Rümlingen viaduct

Heading under the viaduct to the church in Rümlingen.

The Rümlingen viaduct was built in 1853 out of natural stone, and is the oldest viaduct in Switzerland which is still being "used" on the railway line. Over 150 years!