After Frick, the home of the Dinosaur Museum, the path rises, leading past pretty farmhouses, lush meadows and apple and cherry trees towards the ruins at Alt-Tierstein. This part of the trail is a unique experience, particularly in spring when the cherry trees are in blossom. The castle site offers a wonderful view across the Table Jura. Built on a landslide boulder, Alt-Tierstein is considered the ancestral castle of the counts of Tierstein and was inhabited from the 11th to the 15th century.

At the highest point of the route on the Tiersteinberg (750 m above sea level), the varied path runs by some beautiful fire pits. The ridge once again affords fantastic, sweeping views across the plateaus and to the Black Forest. At the Buschberg, it’s worth making a short detour to the right to visit the chapel of the same name, a popular pilgrimage site. Legend has it that the miller Benedikt Martin had an accident here in 1668 with his cart – or narrowly escaped one, for a «lucky stone» saved his shins from being crushed by the wheels. The area around the Buschberg Chapel has also become known as a place of power in recent years after an exceptional force was reportedly detected here using a rod and pendulum. One thing is for sure: the lush and expansive meadows in the peaceful forest clearing are an inviting place to stay.

The hike continues past the remains of the prehistoric fortress on the Wittnauer Horn, whose walls are still clearly visible. The site was first settled by Celts in the Bronze and Iron Age. Later, it was the Romans who sought refuge here. At the foot of the «Sunnehalde» state forest, the trail passes the idyllic Lourdes Grotto and makes its way down to Wittnau.