Tüfels Gorge

The Tüfels Gorge, or Tüfelsschlucht, the Devil’s Gorge, is a narrow wooded ravine near the village of Hägendorf, in the canton of Solothurn, on the northern flank of the Jura chain between Olten and Solothurn. The gorge has been cut by a small stream, the Cholersbach, and a path leads up through it on footbridges and ledges, so that the walk is as much an adventure as a hike. A visit takes you from the gentle valley floor at Hägendorf, with the Dünnern River running through the plain, into a cool, shaded cut in the limestone slope that rises toward the Allerheiligenberg Mountain.

The path has been built to make the gorge accessible. Numerous small bridges and walkways cross and re-cross the stream, steps climb past rock walls, and in places the walls close in overhead. The sound of falling water is constant, and several small waterfalls tumble down the rock steps. The rock is limestone of the Jura, and the water has carved potholes, ledges and hollows over thousands of years. Moss and ferns thrive in the damp, and the forest overhead makes the gorge dark and cool even on a hot day. Grottoes and overhangs add to the mood, and it is easy to see why local imagination connected the place with the devil.

The name comes from folklore. Stories told in the area explain the gorge as a place where the devil was driven out or imprisoned, and they have given the ravine its identity as a spot between wild nature and legend. Whatever the origin, it is the kind of place where children expect to meet a troll. The walk is not demanding but involves many steps and some slippery surfaces, so sturdy shoes are important, and the gorge is not suited to prams. After heavy rain or in icy winter conditions, parts may be closed or hazardous, so check local information before setting out.

At the top, the path leads to the hill of the Allerheiligenberg, where there are views and a connection to other paths on the Jura ridge, and the return can be made by a different route or back through the gorge. A typical outing takes around two hours, and the trailhead is reachable by public transport from Olten or Solothurn. It makes a good half-day excursion for families and a pleasant leg-stretch combined with a visit to the Jura.

The gorge suits families with older children, hikers and photographers, and anyone who enjoys atmospheric natural settings. Visit in spring or early summer for good water flow, or on a hot day for cool shade.