get some fresh air!
Basel is perfectly placed to explore some local hiking trails. With castles, caverns, vineyards and streams there are lots of options, some practically on your doorstep!
This page is produced in collaboration with Fresh Air Kids Switzerland
Lange Erlen
Accessible by: Buses 36 & 48, Trams 2 & 6
Highlights: Tierpark Lange Erlen, Spielplatz Lange Erlen, The Wiese, Vitaparcours
Lange Erlen is a wonderful area for a little escape. Located in the north of the city near the German border, this is the perfect place to walk your dog, picnic, have a forest campfire or simply relax.
If you are looking to exercise, the banks along the Wiese (a small river just off the Rhein) are an excellent location for jogging or walking. There is even a nearby Vitaparcours course that has 15 stations guiding you through body weight and stretching exercises. For more information please see this article: Vitaparcours - Fitness in the Forest.
For kids, there is an epic playground (Spielplatz Lange Erlen), a free animal park (Tierpark Lange Erlen) as well as a Kinderautobahn (kids driving track). There are also a couple restaurants and cafes to relax and enjoy a coffee. For more information please see this article Lange Erlen - Adventure and Animals Along the Wiese.
The Wiese
Spielplatz Lange Erlen
Tierpark Lange Erlen
Wenkenhof Park
24-Stops Rehberger Weg
Vitaparcours
Riehen & Bettingen
Accessible by: Buses 32, 34, 35, 42, 45 & 48, Tram 6
Hightlights: Wenkenhof Park, 24-Stops Rehberger Weg, Vitaparcours
Riehen is blessed with a large network of forest trails accessible from many of its eastern neighbourhoods and from the upper half of Friedhof Am Hörnli. These trails include gravel roads and smaller wooded footpaths, which are dotted with fire pits. There are also trails that connect into neighbouring Bettingen and St. Chrischona and offer beautiful views of the Rhein and Basel Stadt.
The estate at Wenkenhof Park sits at the top of Riehen, commanding expansive views of the city as well as places for quiet contemplation. The surrounding park is perfect for a stroll or weekend picnic. You can also stop for coffee or brunch at Bistro Reithalle, located in the estate's old stables.
For a beautiful walk with an art theme, be sure to try 24-Stops Rehberger Weg, which has 24 colourful art installations of varying forms created by the artist Tobias Rehberger. (see details below).
There is also a small Vitaparcours course, which is located just above a large grill area and small playground off the Am Ausserberg access point.
Bruderholz
Accessible by: Buses 36, 37& 47, Trams 15 & 16
Hightlights: Matis Hof, Beeriland
Bruderholz is another lovely area to get some fresh air and go for a walk. Made up of mostly farmland this area has some lovely farms to visit, including Matis Hof, which in the autumn has an amazing selection of pumpkins to buy as well as a corn maze. In the spring and summer you can fill up on asparagus and pick your own strawberries at Beeriland.
Matishof
Matishof Corn Maze
Photo: Adventure Tower Wikicommons
Allschwil & Binningen
Accessible by: Buses 33, 34, 61 & 64, Trams 6, 10 & 17
Hightlights: Der Binniger Waldpfad, Vitaparcours
Head south of the city to Allschwil and Binningen to find a lovely forest area of roughly 250 hectares with several pathways for hiking and walking as well as several grill stations along the way. Check out Der Binninger Waldpfad, a 2.5 km forest path with 12 stations with facts about the forest and trees. There is even a 'Adventure Tower' to climb. This area also has another Vitaparcours course if you are looking for some exercise.
For a very cool 360° VR experience of the area, check out this video from Impact FPV.
Reinach
Accessible by: Buses 62 & 64, Tram 11
Highlights: Skulpturenweg
In Leywald, the forest near Reinach, there are several trails and numerous grill and picnic spots. For kids, there is the Skulpturenweg, which is a lovely hiking trail that has over 46 wooden fairy tale sculptures of witches, trolls and dragons by 22 artists (some of which are interactive).
Skulpturenweg
24 Stops Rehberger Weg
Start: Foundation Beyeler (Tram 6)
Distance: 5 km
Time Required: 2:00+ hrs.
Distance from Basel: 15 minutes
What does the Basel region have in abundance? Amazing museums and hiking. Put it all together in this beautiful hike that connects Fondation Beyeler in Riehen to the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany. Along the way you will find 24 colourful art installations of varying forms created by the artist Tobias Rehberger.
For more details, please see our article, Celebrating Art & Nature on the Rehberger-Weg
Start: Muttenz, Dorf (Tram 14)
Distance: 4.6 km
Time Required: 1:00 + hr
Distance from Basel: 15 minutes
Stroller-Friendly: Yes
Muttenz Loop
This hike takes you along the main street in Muttenz (Hauptstrasse), up to a horse farm, and through an active cow farm. The paths are wide and offer up clear views of Basel City. Once in the forest, you will hike up to Rütihard-Rothalle before hiking back down along the main street. This is a local route that is easy and particularly beautiful during cherry season when the trees are in bloom on Rütihard.
For more details check out this link from Fresh Air Kids Switzerland.
Photo: Fresh Air Kids Switzerland
Photo: Fresh Air Kids Switzerland
Rebenweg - Pratteln to Muttenz
Start: Pratteln, Bahnhofstrasse (Tram 14)
Distance: 7.3 km
Time Required: 2:00+ hrs.
Distance from Basel: 30 minutes
Stroller-Friendly: Yes
If you are looking for the perfect local hike that screams autumn, this hike is for you. With vineyards at the start and the end of the walk, this path is a feast for the eyes. With paved paths throughout, a farm and scenic views, plan to enjoy this hike over a relaxing weekend. If you get lucky, you might just witness the harvesting of the grapes!
For more details check out this link from Fresh Air Kids Switzerland.
Chateau de Landskrone
Start: Fluh Bahnhof (Tram 10)
Distance: 6+ km
Time Required: 2:00+ hrs.
Distance from Basel: 30 minutes
This hike ticks all the boxes. It goes over the border into France, has a beautiful baroque church, a castle with some amazing views, as well as fields, vineyards and forests. There are even some lovely restaurants along the way.
For more details, please see our article, The Hike That Has It All.
Photo: Fresh Air Kids Switzerland
Ettingen to Pfeffingen
Start: Ettingen Bahnhof/Ettingen Dorf (Tram 10)
Distance: 9.5 km
Time Required: 4:00+ hrs.
Distance from Basel: 35 minutes
This lovely hike from Ettingen to Pfeffingen is a delight in good weather. With a horse farm near the start, a lovely forest, vineyards, and the impressive Pfeffingen Castle, this local route is beautiful.
For more details check out this link from Fresh Air Kids Switzerland.
Grellingen to Zwingen
Start: Grellingen Bahnhof
Distance: 9+ km
Time Required: 4:00+ hrs.
Distance from Basel: 25 mins (by train)
This hike is truly magical. Located in the Chaltbrunnental (Chaltbrunnen Valley) this dense and mossy forest hike, alongside a crystal clear river, has numerous caves to explore, an important Swiss cultural monument, as well as areas to picnic and grill. A perfect destination any time of the year and easily accessible with a short train ride from Basel.
For more details, please see ou article, Grellingen to Zwingen Hike.
Photo: Fresh Air Kids Switzerland
Arisdorf - Cherry Blossom Trail
Start: Arisdorf, Schulhaus
Distance: 9.3 km
Time Required: 2:30 hrs
Distance from Basel: 30 min
Stroller-Friendly: Yes
To celebrate the arrival of spring, it seems only right to enjoy a gorgeous hike in the countryside among plenty of cherry trees. This time of year, when the temperatures are still chilly enough to warrant a cozy sweater or jacket and the landscape is rich with color, hiking is the ideal way to bring in a new season. The Cherry Blossom Trail is one not to be missed in April.
For more details check out this link from Fresh Air Kids Switzerland.
Schloss Wildenstein
Start: Lampenberg
Distance: 7.2 km
Time Required: 2:10 hours
Distance from Basel: 30 minutes
Stroller-Friendly: Yes
This hike is ideal for those looking for a relatively flat, pleasant stroll on a slow weekend. This loop route provides views of rolling hills, farms and the impressive Wildenstein Castle located in Basel-Land. If your intent is to view the interior of the castle, plan your visit
according to their opening schedule. This is a lovely route during the spring months.
For more details check out this link from Fresh Air Kids Switzerland.
Photo: Fresh Air Kids Switzerland
Teufelsschleucht
Start: Hägendorf Gässli
Distance: 6+ km
Time Required: 3:00+ hrs.
Distance from Basel: 40 mins
This hike is fantastic any time of the year, but from December to the end of February (conditions permitting) the whole area becomes a winter wonderland. Streams, waterfalls and caverns, surrounded by snow draped trees and the peaceful quiet of the forest.
For more details, please see our article, Winter Hiking: Teufelsschlucht, Hägendorf
Wasserfallen Rundweg
Start: Reigoldswil, (Wasserfallenbahn)
Distance: 9.7 km
Time Required: 5:00+ hrs.
Distance from Basel: 45 mins
Wasserfallen, the beautiful mountain that straddles Basel and the Swiss Plateau, is the
perfect location for a hike or family adventure. The area is home to a fabulous playground, a rope park and several mountain inns ideal for lunch or overnight stays.
The circular hike (Wasserfallen Rundweg 470) takes you along wide open paths, through rocky terrain, and over ridgelines offering sights that are certain to leave you breathless.
Despite the easy rating, this 9.7 km circular hike does require some stamina and skill, but the views are worth the effort!
For more details check out this link from Fresh Air Kids Switzerland.
Photo: Fresh Air Kids Switzerland
