This is the rocky backbone of the north where the Jura mountains begin their rise. You find yourself among cherry blossom trees and steep limestone ridges that provide views of three different countries. The landscape is a mix of quiet farm valleys and high forest paths. It feels peaceful and wild despite being so close to the big city. The roads climb over mountain passes that are fun to drive and full of green vistas.
Ancient history is tucked away in the woods at the ruins of Augst, a massive Roman city with a grand theater. You can explore the castle of Burg Reichenstein or hike the rugged path to the Wasserfallen lookout. The villages are made of solid stone and feature lively fountains and old taverns. It is a region for people who love to explore the woods and find hidden caves in the cliffs.
The atmosphere is earthy and honest. You can buy fresh cherries and plums from the farmers during the summer months. The trails take you through thick pine forests to the tops of the ridges where you can see the Black Forest in the distance. Basel-Landschaft is a hidden gem for any road trip. It's a natural escape with deep roots in the ancient past.
Basel-Landschaft highlights
- Augusta Raurica Explore the massive remains of a Roman city including a theater that can still hold thousands of people. It is a high tech archaeological park that is fun for all ages.
- Wasserfallen Lookout Take the only gondola in the region to a high ridge for views that reach the Black Forest and the Alps. The area is a hub for hiking and mountain biking in the Jura.
- Liestal Old Town See the historic town gate and the colorful murals on the town hall. The narrow streets are full of local shops and cozy cafes.
- Burg Reichenstein Visit a well preserved hilltop castle that looks over the Birs valley near the city of Basel. The stone walls and the tower offer a great sense of medieval history.
- Arlesheim Cathedral See the grand white interior of this baroque masterpiece which features a world famous organ. The town around it is known for its beautiful villas and gardens.
- Ermitage Arlesheim Walk through the largest English landscape garden in the country which features caves and ponds. It is a hidden gem for those seeking a romantic and peaceful nature walk.
- Birsfelden Lock Watch massive river barges move through the locks on the Rhine river from a high pedestrian bridge. It is an impressive look at the industrial heart of the region.
- Belchenflue Peak Drive to the base and hike to a summit that offers a 360 degree view of the Jura mountains. It was a strategic military site and still features old carvings in the rock.
- Waldenburg Steam Train Take a ride on a historic narrow gauge railway that winds through the green valleys of the south. The vintage train is a favorite for families and history fans.
- Langenbruck Solar Bob Enjoy a high speed ride on a mountain bobsled run that is powered entirely by the sun. It is a fun and eco friendly stop located in a beautiful mountain village.
The local Four
History of Basel-Landschaft
The Basel-Landschaft canton is a tale of a dramatic divorce. For centuries the rural villages were ruled by the powerful city of Basel but in 1833 the farmers and foresters decided they had had enough. They fought a brief war of independence to break away and form their own sovereign land. This revolution in the woods created a region that is fiercely proud of its rural identity and focused on the green ridges of the Jura mountains.
Long before the modern split this was a vital frontier for the Roman Empire. At Augusta Raurica the Romans built a massive city with a grand theater that seated ten thousand people. It served as a center for trade and culture on the banks of the Rhine. When the empire fell the city was destroyed leaving behind a landscape of ruins that were slowly reclaimed by the forests. You are following the same routes that Roman chariots once used to cross the hills.
In the Middle Ages the region became a land of knightly fortresses and mountain passes. Noble families built castles like Burg Reichenstein to control the roads that led from the Rhine toward the south. These stone towers guarded the narrow valleys where the first ironworks were established. The history is a story of pioneers and rebels who carved a living out of the rocky limestone ridges and defended their right to the land.