The historic Passwangstrasse (earlier also Barschwang) from Balsthal into Schwarzbubenland to Reigoldswil, built around 1730, was not ideal for wagon transport because of its extreme gradients. «It seems that the highest ridges and most unfitting places were most carefully selected to build this highly hazardous road» can be read in old documents. Today, the route is a wonderful hiking trail leading through dense pine and beech forests and airy glades. Hikers can also reach the Passwang area with the Wasserfallen aerial cableway from Reigoldswil.

The new Passwang road via Ramiswil (attractive old mill) towards Laufental is also extremely scenic. It reaches a height of 943 m and at its head crosses the craggy Jura chain through the around 200-m-long Zingelen tunnel. The modern Heiligblutkapelle (Chapel of the Holy Blood) Vorder Beibelberg, popular as a vantage point and for weddings, stands about halfway up the pass on the south side. And just one bend below the south tunnel portal is the Restaurant Alpenblick with wonderful panoramic views and popular with cyclists, motor cyclists and motorists.

On the north side of the Passwang, in the direction of Laufental, the road leads past the Neu-Thierstein fortress, landmark of Canton Solothurn’s Schwarzbubenland. The most important part of the medieval fortress still remaining is the party conserved residential tower.