Liestal–Bubendorf Cycle Route

The Liestal–Bubendorf Cycle Route is a cycling loop in Basel-Landschaft, the canton often called Baselbiet, and it uses the green hills and valleys between Liestal and the Jura foothills. It is a loop of around 40 kilometres, and the exact length and climbing depend on the variant you ride, so treat any single figure as approximate. Starting at the old Liestal City Gate, the Törli, in the centre of the town, the route heads out through the villages of Frenkendorf and Füllinsdorf toward Bubendorf, with the small valley of the Ergolz close by for the first stretch, before turning back toward the hills.

Liestal is the cantonal capital, a compact town of old gates, a market square and a church tower, and it is worth a short walk before you set off. The Törli is the best-preserved gate, and nearby are the Historical Buildings of Liestal and Museum.BL, the cantonal museum. From here the route moves into a landscape of orchards, fields and mixed woodland typical of the Basel hinterland, where cherry trees line many lanes and bloom in spring. Surfaces are mostly paved, with some sections on farm tracks and forest roads, so a trekking bike or gravel bike is a sensible choice, and a road bike will cope on the paved stretches.

Several hills give the ride its character. Climbs lead to ridges and lookouts, and the hill above Liestal carries the Schleifenberg lookout tower, a short detour for panoramic views toward the Jura, the Black Forest and on clear days the Alps. The wider area is also known for its small castles and ruins, and Schloss Wildenstein, above Bubendorf, is one of the best-known of them, a reminder that the Baselbiet was once a patchwork of fortified estates. Bubendorf itself is a pleasant village with old houses and a long tradition of farming and craft, and it makes a convenient place to stop for lunch.

Fitness requirements are moderate. Fit riders can complete the loop in a few hours, while those who take their time and stop in villages can spend most of a day. Because the route stays close to settlements and public transport, it is easy to shorten and return by train from one of the villages. In spring the orchard blossom is the highlight, and in autumn the woods turn colour, while in winter the route is rideable on dry days but can be slippery on forest tracks.

The route suits recreational cyclists, families with older children and anyone who wants a quiet day in the countryside close to Basel. Liestal is a short train ride from Basel, so the whole outing can be done without a car. Check current signage and trail closures locally before you set out.