Cycling in Switzerland
Basel–Franches-Montagnes
Stage 1, Basel–Delémont
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Basel–Franches-Montagnes
Stage 1, Basel–Delémont
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.
“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.
“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.
Length
43 km
Roads and trails
Asphalted: 38 km
Natural surface: 5 km
Natural surface: 5 km
Ascent | Descent
460 m | 320 m
Fitness level
medium
Arrival | return travel
More …
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.
