Naturpark Thal & schloss waldegg

Naturpark Thal has been a regional park since 2010. It is 139 km2 and is completely within Canton Solothurn. You will find lush vegetation, overhanding cliffs, streams running over and beside craggy rocks, thick forests on top of high cliffs as well as plenty of cows in gentle meadows and hills. Restaurants with outdoor seating offer lovely views and good food. So, there is a bit of everything within this park.

Herbetswil, Wolfsschlucht is a good starting point for trails through the park. This western section is reachable by public transport (35mins- 1 hr depending on connections) and car.

Timetable SBB

Or you can start by visiting the information centre on the eastern side of the park.

INFORMATION CENTRE NATURPARK THAL

This centre will help you find info, within the park, on:

  • Hiking Trails
  • Biking Trails
  • Themed Trails
  • Picnic spots
  • Accommodation & Restaurants
  • Activities in summer (such as solar bobsleighs, swimming pools and tarzan ropes)
  • Activities in winter (skiing, snowshoeing and tobogganing)

Opening hours

  • Monday to Friday 9 am to midday, then 2 pm to 5 pm
  • Closed Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
  • Outside the opening times you will find current excursion tips in the outdoor area of ​​the information point.

Address
Naturpark Thal
Hölzlistrasse 57
4710 Balsthal
Tel. +41 62 386 12 30
Email: info (at) naturparkthal.ch

This Info Centre is at the eastern end of the park. To get here from Solothurn you would drive along Highway 1 for a bit then turn off at Oensingen. Or with public transport to Thalbrücke (22-36 mins)

Schloss Waldegg

Schloss Waldegg is slightly elevated at the southern foot of the Jura. When getting close it is an imposing sight – full of the elegance of a French Chateau. They offer a permanent exhibition within the Schloss, which gives you a glimpse of the richly decorated rooms, paintings and furniture from the 17th-19th centuries.

The exhibition tells the stories of how the ruling families and ambassadors of Solothurn lived and shows the French influence over the household and families in and around Solothurn.

This was a residence for French ambassadors in the 18th Century and the von Besenval family. The rooms are ornately designed with detailed murals on the walls and ceilings.

The gardens have been recreated in the Baroque style.

Contact:
Schloss Waldegg
Museum und Meeting Centre
Waldeggstrasse 1
4532 Feldbrunnen-St. Niklaus
Tel: 032 627 63 63

[email protected]
http://www.schloss-waldegg.ch

Opening Hours:

From April 1st-October 31st 2021

Mondays closed

Tuesdays-Thursdays 2 pm-5 pm

Fridays closed

Saturday 2 pm-5 pm

Sunday 10 am-5 pm

November 1st-December 12th 2021

Sunday 10 am-5 pm

For up-to-date opening times plus public holidays and special days go to the website here.

Entrance fee: Yes. See here for details. (The museum pass can be used).

NOTE: The museum and exhibition is in German and French.

Schloss Waldegg photo by: Rucci, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons