This is our go-to hike on lazy weekends when we long for fresh air, but don't have the time or the energy to travel far. Regardless of its close proximity to our home, this simple loop still provides plenty in the way of entertainment, forests, animals and green landscapes.
Directions:
This particular trail takes families along the main street (Haupstrasse) past the Reformierte Kirche St. Arbogast. With the church on your left, continue up Hauptstrasse, which will narrow and become Geispelgasse, heading up a hill. After a block and a half, you will see a large fountain on the corner, turn left onto Gruthweg, a side street that heads up to the horse farm. Allow your children ample time to count and admire the horses, ponies, and donkeys at this farm before continuing your way up the hill.
The paved trail will head up along a row of trees and a field on the left. You will see a trail marker pointing in the direction of Münchenstein, before crossing through a small patch of forest towards the bio farm in Münchenstein.
If your timing is right, the cows will be enjoying their feed. You will be in admiration of the 37 hectares of rich land and farm life at this local farm. Look for horses, cats, goats on the hill behind the cow enclosure and the resident dog.
The trail leads straight past the barn, and dog-legs past a house on your left. Continue past the house, but take the path to the right around the fenced-in horse area.
Follow this path down between fields.
Continuing along the path that will wind around and continue until you come to Aspweg. Start to walk up the path to your right, through the forest until you cross over Rütihard.
Once Rütihard (open fields used for farming). Follow this path straight across the open fields and back down through a residential area before seeing the Reformierte Kirche St. Arbogast on your right, which you passed on the way up to the horse farm. You are now on Haupstrasse, which will lead you straight to tram 14.
Special Features:
The area is accessible by tram and not far from Basel.
The route is stroller-friendly.
There are a couple of fountains along the way, should you need water.
The Main Street in Muttenz has a few shops where you can pick - up baked goods or snacks. Not on a Sunday, however.
This is an easy, pleasant route.
Tip:
Muttenz is the perfect location for trail running! With a large network of hiking trails, consider this a go-to location for a run!
Be Aware:
At the start of the hike, there is a gradual uphill. Don't worry, it levels out at the horse farm.
Please never feed the horses, donkeys or cows!
There is a toilet located just across the street from the church and down the stairs on the Main Street.
Your shoes might get dirty at the farm, but hey, that's farm life!
Important Update!
This breaks our heart to say, but climate change is certainly wreaking havoc on some of our favorite local trails. Due to the 2022 drought, the once beautiful covered path is now closed! Sadly, the Beech trees, with their shallow root systems, could not withstand the drought. The area is now considered unsafe for the general public, as the trees and their branches can fall at anytime.
There is a detour, which we highlight below in blue. To read more about the plans for this area, please visit the following website.