The old town of Aarau is an amazing experience with its rows of late Gothic houses and gabled roofs. Plus, it has been closed to motorised traffic for many years. Close to the Jura Mountains, the Aare meanders through the Mittelland region. At 288 km it is the longest river entirely within Switzerland. Pedalling upstream, through the Aarau Schachen neighbourhood, you reach the small Grien dam within the city’s recreational area. Bally Park near Schönenwerd is a surprising industrial landscape with miniaturised pile dwellings and a British-style park. The steam from the Gösgen nuclear power plant seems to bring the cool water of the Aare to a boil.

As evening approaches, the sun is no longer boiling hot and a sunset from Olten’s wooden bridge is a must-see. A tour of the well-preserved historic old town and a visit to the magnificent Rathskeller (formerly a stable for visitors’ horses, built in the 19th century) are also recommended. The Ruppoldingen power plant is soon followed by the Boningen gravel quarry in Gunzgen. The ride through the region’s nature preserve is very interesting. There are amphibian spawning grounds of national importance. Not only bulldozers leave their marks, the beavers, which have resettled here, do their utmost to show off their work.

Another sight and hard to miss are the lovely towns of Aarwangen and Wangen an der Aare. Just look at the swans gliding across the water and Wangen’s covered wooden bridge. Perhaps you might want to visit the historic old town later. It would be time well spent. During the ride, the Jura Mountains have noticeably grown! Compared to the highest point in the Canton Aargau (Geissfluegrat at 908 m), the Hasenmatt is the highest point in the Canton Solothurn and at 1445 m it appears to be a veritable giant. As you travel through a variety of industrial areas to Switzerland’s most beautiful baroque city, the Hasenmatt seems to grow consistently in shape and size.