A visit to the castles of the Aargau
Habsburg Castle towers majestically over the Aargau village of the same name. Today, wine is grown on its slopes and can be enjoyed in the idyllic castle restaurant. But world history was once written here and around 1030 the foundation stone for the powerful Habsburg dynasty was laid. Thanks to the latest technology, the museum exhibition can take you back to the year 1200, when the castle still existed in its original size. If you want to immerse yourself even more in the world of the nobles, we recommend a visit to the Wildegg and Hallwyl castles. The latter is one of the most beautiful moated castles in Switzerland with a facility that extends over three islands.
Jurassic Park Aargau
Unfortunately, free-roaming dinosaurs can no longer be seen in the Aargau Jurapark. But fossils from the Jurassic period can still be found here today together with rare plant and animal species in dreamy landscapes. Countless hiking trails and bike routes lead visitors through the hilly Jura Park, past blooming cherry trees and through sparse pine forests, on whose floors numerous orchids grow.
A visit to the Linner linden, one of the oldest trees in Switzerland, is particularly nice. For gourmets there is the Genuss-Strasse along restaurants, farms, vineyards and village shops, where products from the region can be tasted and purchased.
Ridge walk from Regensberg to Baden
A hike with a surprising view awaits you from the beautiful Zurich Unterland village of Regensberg to Baden in Aargau. Before starting your hike, it is worth planning some time for a stroll through the pretty village of Regensberg. Then it starts along the signposted hiking trail to Lägern Hochwacht, a popular excursion restaurant with a beautiful viewing platform. After four years of extensive renovation, the restaurant reopened in May 2020. From here the hiking trail becomes noticeably narrower and more exposed. In return, the scramble along the ridge of the Lägern is rewarded with an incredible view over the Zurich Unterland to the Glarus Alps. A total of around four hours should be planned with breaks. Good shoes are strongly recommended!
Teufelskeller near Baden
If you don’t like high-altitude hikes, you can go to the Teufelskeller near Baden. The landscapes of this area were once formed by a rock fall a good 100,000 years ago. The name comes from a legend according to which horrific figures in the depths transformed a king’s daughter into a stone with arms made of tree branches.
Anyone wandering through the Teufelskeller will have an inkling of how this legend came about: everywhere there are rock towers up to 20 meters high, surrounded by imposing trees that have been allowed to grow undisturbed in the past twenty years thanks to the fact that no forest work has been carried out. A real primeval forest emerged, a protected nature reserve that can be easily reached on foot from Baden train station. Signs along the way explain the creation of this mystical landscape.
Wellness pleasure in Bad Zurzach
If you just want to relax a bit, we recommend visiting the thermal baths in Bad Zurzach in the northeast of the canton of Aargau. It is the largest open-air thermal bath in Switzerland and offers a unique water and wellness facility, including a large sauna area.
The well-known Swiss comic figure Papa Moll has also found his way to Bad Zurzach: Today he is the city’s figurehead. This is how Papa Moll Land can be found in the thermal baths. Here the youngest bathing visitors can have fun with various water attractions. Other activities related to Papa Moll include a mini golf course and the Papa Moll Path, a paper chase through Bad Zurzach.
Aarau – the city of beautiful gables
The capital of the canton of Aargau has impressive architecture from different ages. The more than 70 painted roof soffits of the old town houses, which give the town its nickname “town of beautiful gables”, are particularly striking. That is why it is worthwhile to look up every now and then when strolling through Aarau’s old town.
It is also worthwhile to stroll along the «Graben», the former dry moat that was built as a city fortification. Markets take place regularly in Graben, such as the famous carrot fair in November.
You should definitely try the Aargau carrot cake on an excursion! And while we’re at dessert: the absolute insider tip among Aarau coffees is Café Ccino with its cozy roof terrace.
Out and about in the moated castle Brugg
The unique river landscape near the village of Brugg, where the three great Alpine rivers Aare, Reuss and Limmat flow together, is known as Switzerland’s moated castle. Located in the middle of Aargau, there are large alluvial forests and an important spawning area for a wide variety of amphibians. Because of its great importance, this area has been designated as a meadow and landscape of national importance. From here the Aare flows on to Koblenz, where it joins the Rhine.
Countless bridges were built to protect the floodplains, over which the ten kilometer long, technically simple bridge hiking trail leads from Brugg. With a little luck you can even spot kingfishers here!
In the Blick Heimat section, BLICK presents the best places to travel, hike, discover, enjoy and experience in Switzerland every day. Let yourself be inspired and look forward to a vacation in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.