Aargauerweg from Wittnau to Frick in Nortwestern Switzerland

Saturday April 29. 2023 -- Today we found one of the few places in Switzerland where the sun was shining, namely in the central North (Canton Aargau/Argovia), but we didn't expect it to get so hot! (With all this cold weather, we are not yet prepared for heat). Plus with the large amounts of rain we had received the day before, it was also very humid.

We decided to do a section of Trail no.42: "Aargauerweg" (Aargau Trail), of which we have already done a few sections. This is actually Stage 1 of the trail, between Frick and Wittnau in the Frick Valley, i.e. Fricktal (we started in Wittnau). One of the special features of this trail is that it crosses one of the prettiest cherry-growing areas in Switzerland, and is particularly attractive in the spring when the trees are in full bloom. Even though we knew we were too late for the full cherry bloom, there were still some blossoming trees here and there (apples are only just starting).

To my disappointment, we missed the important left turn onto Trail no.42 at the start of our hike, and before we noticed we weren't on the right track, it was too late to turn back. We did join the trail again on the ridge of the Tiersteinberg hill, but missed several historical sites along the way.

Additionally, due to the massive rains, the narrow trail across the crest wasn't really pleasant to walk on, so sometimes even paved roads are favourable. Although most of the hike was in forested areas, we did get some nice views of the pastoral landscapes (in particular the yellow canola fields), and the ruins of Alt-Tierstein castle (built on a landslide boulder and inhabited from 11th to 15th Centuries) were a highlight. 

On the train trip from Zug to Aarau we pass through the Freiamt region of Canton Aargau, which is also a pretty area with lots of blossoming trees. This is near Mühlau along the Reuss River

From Aarau we took a bus over the Benkerjoch Pass heading north, and on this stretch there were lots of blossoming trees!

Our hike started in Wittnau at 10:45, and we were supposed to walk over the "Horn" along trail no.42, but we didn't realize we had gone the wrong way until we were almost at the Homberg crest! We then joined the themed trail at the top of Tiersteinberg. (The trail was muddy there anyway, so we didn't miss much)

It was this house which distracted me. Just before we reached here, we should have gone left. Instead, we went right....

The older houses in this region typically have these attractive arched doorways (after the entrance, the residence would be accessed on one side, and the barns on the other). 

Heading up away from Wittnau, we didn't realize till later that we should have been going up in the other direction, where those blossoming trees are. 

The cherry trees are just finished flowering, and the heavy rains from the day before probably washed most of the remaining petals away. 

It was not on the plan, but this way we visited the site of the Old Homberg castle. A nearby panel informed us that this was the residence of the Counts of Old Homberg since the 11th Century. This family was related to the Counts of Old Tierstein, whose castle ruins we also passed later on the hike. 

We didn't see much of any ruins up here. This is now a picnic area. In the late 1800's, locals excavated the ruins and discovered mostly tin tableware which was left behind after the catastrophic earthquake of 1356, which destroyed the castle. 

This is the view to the south which the Counts of Old Homberg would have enjoyed! This region is part of what is called the "Tafeljura" or "Table Jura" and the long stretch in the back separates this region from the city of Aarau.

The first wild spring peas add color to the forest floor

Continuing on along wide forest roads, we found this picnic table where we had lunch. These painted rocks were on the table; it seems to be a fad at the moment, to leave painted rocks lying around. 

At 12:45 we made it to the crest of the Tiersteinberg, joining Trail no.42. This also happens to be the "Frick Valley High Trail" (Fricktaler Höhenweg), which we followed into the city of Frick. 

Most of the trail along the top of Mt. Tierstein (Tiersteinberg) was narrow like this, but in most places much muddier

A small window where we got a view over the landscape to the north

This is the photo which Urs took. The village below is called Schupfart, and you can just see a bit of the Rhine River, which forms the border with Germany here. The darker mountains in the back are in Germany. 

Here we've arrived at the Old Tierstein Ruins. 

The fortress was built on a large boulder from a landslide. 

A quick walk through the site of the fortress ruins 

Heading up to the top section of the fortress ruins

Panorama view to the east

We didn't spend long here as there was incessant chattering by two women who'd passed us a couple of times along the way and established themselves here. I prefer some peace and quiet on my walks. 

Continuing on our descent into the city of Frick

Just a few of the cherry trees in this region, whose blossoms are basically finished. 

A look past the cherry trees to the city of Frick You have to picture these trees all in white. 

A photo with the last cherry blossoms

The final cherry blossoms in the area around Frick

The clouds looked really awesome

Final stretch into the city, then a long straight piece to the train station. We caught the 15:03 train back home, getting to the train station once again with only five minutes to spare.

There is an official loop trail here called the "Frick Valley Cherry Trail", which is overrun by visitors on weekends when the trees are in full bloom. At least there weren't too many people this day!

Location of the Fricktal (Frick Valley) in northeastern Switzerland

Heading back to Brugg and Baden by train, we pass the church building in Frick. This is an area that I don't know at all, and have only done one hike nearby along the Rhine River.

The landscape currently displays wonderful yellow fields of canola. (In German it is called Raps, i.e. Rapeseed, but that name is not used much in English).

On the Limmat River we saw a boat that looked like it was sinking...