23 Basel–Franches-Montagnes
23 Basel–Franches-Montagnes

Cycling in Switzerland

etappe-01324

Basel–Franches-Montagnes

Stage 1, Basel–Delémont

Route report
99 photos

VL_023_01_P1070259_R_F_M.jpg
etappe-01324

Basel–Franches-Montagnes

After the urban residential and industrial districts, you follow the winding River Birs, bedded between woodland and steep cliffs, to the gates of Laufen. After the last ravine, the Delémont basin opens out before you.
Mornings at the Basel railway station can be a bit chaotic: trams, buses, cars, pedestrians, and bike riders going every which way, plus there is always construction. If you‘re riding your bike, be careful, it’s easy to get caught in the tram tracks. Leaving the city on the Rhine with Europe’s largest border station, on the other hand, is much more comfortable. The bike riders feel like they are almost floating through the tunnel, entering a new world, so to speak. That’s probably why the area is called "Neue Welt"(new world). It was developed in the early days of the industrialization around the upper part of St. Alban’s pond.

“Park im Grünen” in Münchenstein, known as "Grün 80", was created for a garden and landscaping exhibition. Today the generous park is a recreation area. A stop to catch your breath at the cathedral of Arlesheim or at the Goethenaum in Dornach is a good idea. The Goethenaum, named for Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, is an impressive building with no edges or corners and serves as the centre for the anthroposophical movement and the humanities. Festivals and theatre performances are also held here.

Above the Birs River and the railroad tracks, between Aesch and Duggingen, is Bärenfels Castle. It seems like medieval aristocrats are gazing down from the castle on the rugged rocks, curiously peering at the passing bike riders, but most likely it’s (just) modern-time visitors to the ruins. The labourers’ homes of Grellingen are also located on the bike route. About 160 years ago, when the paper factory went into operation, new housing was quickly required for the workmen. These are the oldest houses of their type still remaining in the Basel region.

Bikes should definitely keep safely to the right on the way to Zwingen and beyond. Laufen, located in the valley of the same name, has a lot going for itself. For example, a stop in the historic old town, where some of the city wall is still intact, is well worth it. The bikers are now leisurely coasting along the many loops of the Birs River until they enter French-speaking Switzerland. In Riedes-Dessus, a friendly "bonjour" is offered by the locals who are busy working in their gardens. Historic Delémont, the capital of the Canton Jura, is another highlight. You can expect to find attractive façades on the buildings, many pretty fountains and museums, all nestled in the densely forested, hilly landscape of the Jura.
After the urban residential and industrial districts, you follow the winding River Birs, bedded between woodland and steep cliffs, to the gates of Laufen. After the last ravine, the Delémont basin opens out before you.
Mornings at the Basel railway station can be a bit chaotic: trams, buses, cars, pedestrians, and bike riders going every which way, plus there is always construction. If you‘re riding your bike, be careful, it’s easy to get caught in the tram tracks. Leaving the city on the Rhine with Europe’s largest border station, on the other hand, is much more comfortable. The bike riders feel like they are almost floating through the tunnel, entering a new world, so to speak. That’s probably why the area is called "Neue Welt"(new world). It was developed in the early days of the industrialization around the upper part of St. Alban’s pond.

“Park im Grünen” in Münchenstein, known as "Grün 80", was created for a garden and landscaping exhibition. Today the generous park is a recreation area. A stop to catch your breath at the cathedral of Arlesheim or at the Goethenaum in Dornach is a good idea. The Goethenaum, named for Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, is an impressive building with no edges or corners and serves as the centre for the anthroposophical movement and the humanities. Festivals and theatre performances are also held here.

Above the Birs River and the railroad tracks, between Aesch and Duggingen, is Bärenfels Castle. It seems like medieval aristocrats are gazing down from the castle on the rugged rocks, curiously peering at the passing bike riders, but most likely it’s (just) modern-time visitors to the ruins. The labourers’ homes of Grellingen are also located on the bike route. About 160 years ago, when the paper factory went into operation, new housing was quickly required for the workmen. These are the oldest houses of their type still remaining in the Basel region.

Bikes should definitely keep safely to the right on the way to Zwingen and beyond. Laufen, located in the valley of the same name, has a lot going for itself. For example, a stop in the historic old town, where some of the city wall is still intact, is well worth it. The bikers are now leisurely coasting along the many loops of the Birs River until they enter French-speaking Switzerland. In Riedes-Dessus, a friendly "bonjour" is offered by the locals who are busy working in their gardens. Historic Delémont, the capital of the Canton Jura, is another highlight. You can expect to find attractive façades on the buildings, many pretty fountains and museums, all nestled in the densely forested, hilly landscape of the Jura.
43 km
Asphalted: 38 km
Natural surface: 5 km
460 m | 320 m
medium

Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Basel SBB
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

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Traffic volume
Beware: busy main roads Basel–Neue Welt, Grellingen–Laufen–Liesbergmüli and Bellerive–Delémont
Avoidance of traffic
Between Laufen and Delémont there is a train that can be used to avoid traffic.

Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Delémont
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

Services

Accommodation

Cydonia Bett & Brot
Cydonia Bett & Brot
Basel
Hotel Bildungszentrum 21 AG
Hotel Bildungszentrum 21 AG
Basel
Jugendherberge Basel
Jugendherberge Basel
Basel
DASBREITEHOTEL
DASBREITEHOTEL
Basel
MyBednBreakfast
MyBednBreakfast
Bottmingen
Hotel Baslertor
Hotel Baslertor
Muttenz
Gasthaus zur Sonne
Gasthaus zur Sonne
Aesch
Gasthof Mühle
Gasthof Mühle
Aesch
Hotel Restaurant Central
Hotel Restaurant Central
Laufen
Hotel & Restaurant Röschenzerhof
Hotel & Restaurant Röschenzerhof
Röschenz
Gasthof Engel Kleinlützel
Gasthof Engel Kleinlützel
Kleinlützel
Gîte rural
Gîte rural
Courcelon
Auberge de Jeunesse Delémont
Auberge de Jeunesse Delémont
Delémont
Hôtel Ibis Delémont
Hôtel Ibis Delémont
Delémont
Centre St-François
Centre St-François
Delémont
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Bookable offers

La Route Verte
La Route Verte
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Places

Basel
Basel
Dornach
Dornach
Aesch
Aesch
Laufen
Laufen
Delémont
Delémont
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Places of interest

Basler Cathedral
Basler Cathedral
Kunstmuseum Basel
Kunstmuseum Basel
Pfalz
Pfalz
City Hall and Marktplatz
City Hall and Marktplatz
Tinguely Fountain
Tinguely Fountain
Basel's Old Town
Basel's Old Town
Spalentor
Spalentor
Exhibition Tower
Exhibition Tower
Basel Zoo
Basel Zoo
Mittlere Brücke and Schifflände
Mittlere Brücke and Schifflände
Horburg dirt and pump track
Horburg dirt and pump track
Basel's pump track
Basel's pump track
Tinguely Museum
Tinguely Museum
Pump track Muttenz
Pump track Muttenz
Ermitage Arlesheim
Ermitage Arlesheim
Arlesheim Cathedral
Arlesheim Cathedral
Pumptrack Arlesheim
Pumptrack Arlesheim
Customs formalities at «Glögglifels»
Customs formalities at «Glögglifels»
Delémont, Le Mexique–Vorbourg
Delémont, Le Mexique–Vorbourg
Coutellerie Wenger
Coutellerie Wenger
Musée jurassien d'Art et d'Histoire
Musée jurassien d'Art et d'Histoire
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Signalization

Signalization
For cycling, follow the logo indicated on the red signposts. Take a printout of our web map on your tour for safety's sake.
Signalization