About 113 kilometers from the pilgrim city of Basel through the Jura to Bern – a classic Swiss feeder route taking you from the Rhine city over the Jura heights down to the Aare.
The Baslerweg runs from Basel, the time-honored pilgrim city on the bend of the Rhine, through the Jura to Bern. From Basel it follows the Birs valley over Aesch into the Jura heights, past Beinwil monastery and over Welschenrohr down to Solothurn. From there the route crosses the Mittelland over Fraubrunnen to the federal city of Bern.
With a good 3,400 meters of climb over about 113 kilometers, it's a varied route with real Jura ascents – but consistently manageable.
Ideal if you're starting in Basel and want an easily reached, scenically varied entry into the Swiss Ways of St. James – with city culture, Jura nature and the federal city of Bern at the end.
Less suitable if you expect a completely flat walk: the Jura heights add up to noticeable climbing, with the highest point around 1,280 meters.
From Basel the route follows the Birs valley over Aesch into the Jura. Past Beinwil monastery and Welschenrohr it crosses the Jura heights down to the baroque town of Solothurn on the Aare.
It then runs through the rolling Mittelland over Fraubrunnen to the federal city of Bern.
Over about 113 kilometers the route splits comfortably into some 5–6 daily stages. The more demanding part lies in the Jura between Basel and Solothurn with the climbs over the heights; the section through the Mittelland to Bern is gentler. As everywhere in Switzerland, the route is waymarked yellow as the Via Jacobi (hiking route no. 4).
The Baslerweg ends in Bern and is a feeder to Switzerland's main axis, the Via Jacobi (Konstanz–Genf). From Bern and the Mittelland the onward route leads toward Romont and western Switzerland to Genf (Geneva), where the Via Gebennensis continues toward Le Puy-en-Velay and ultimately Santiago.
The best time is spring to autumn. Accommodation is in guesthouses, inns and pilgrim lodgings – a pilgrim credential is useful for stamps and lodgings. For the Jura stages, sturdy footwear and some fitness are worthwhile.
Switzerland is expensive. Budget roughly €60–100 per day for accommodation and food; simple lodgings and self-catering lower the cost.
The start is Basel, an international rail hub and easily reached.
The Swiss Ways of St. James are maintained by the association Jakobsweg Schweiz – Compostelle Suisse (formerly "jakobsweg.ch", renamed after its 2026 merger with "Les Amis"). The association waymarks and maintains the routes, trains pilgrim guides and publishes route booklets and the pilgrim credential.
Aparthotel Adagio Basel City
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Apartment Marktplatz 2
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ART HOUSE Basel - Member of Design Hotels
Open season unknownEverything you need for the Baslerweg, shipped to your door.
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