Anybody who believes that the term Table Jura always refers to flat terrain couldn’t be more wrong. It is the steep wooded slopes of the valleys, carved by the glaciers into the Jura plateaus during the ice age that make the scenery so charming. The Baselbieter Chirsiweg starts at the Sommerau train station on the oldest railway line between Basel and the Mittelland region. Through the peaceful Chrindeltal with its re-naturalised riverside forest – seldom seen in the Jura area – the trail continues to the Rünenberger Giessen waterfall, where the water plunges over an 18 m overhanging cliff. “Giessen” is what the typical waterfalls in the Table Jura dropping over flat, hard rock layers are usually called.

After the first climb up to sunny Rünenberg with its orchards the trail immediately dips down again into the narrow Eital valley and continues along its opposite side past impressive cliffs and two caves. Teeth and bones of cave bears were once found in the first cave, the other can be entered to experience a bit of the mystical darkness on the inside of the earth. Between Wenslingen and Oltingen, two typical villages of this region with regal farm houses and fountains, countless cherry trees are bordering the path. Most of Oltingen‘s village centre at the end of the Chirsiweg was faithfully preserved. Especially noteworthy is the grouping consisting of church, rectory and its garden. For those interested in cultural history the late Gothic frescoes in the church are an absolute must-see.

Hiking the trail is an experience at any time of the year, but most particularly in the spring (around April) when the cherry blossoms turn the region into a mass of flowers. But in June/July, when the cherries are ready to be picked, or in October/November, when the rich orange and yellow leaves gleam brightly in the autumn sun, the ubiquitous cherry trees of the Basel area are a very appealing sight to see.