Top hike in Solothurn| 1000er Stägli

The name sounds harmless and cute “Stägli”, the Swiss word for “little steps”. The reality, however, is anything but harmless: this hike in Solothurn is made up of a steep ascent, consisting of 1150 (!!!) steps upwards through the forest. During this walk, you will accomplish 254 metres altitude difference on just a half kilometre long path. “Stägli”? I don´t think so!

The Tuusigerstägli trek | a unique hike in Solothurn

When I first read about the ”Tuusigerstägli” or 1000er Stägli hike in Solothurn, I was instantly thrilled! Now that`s a challenge! How cool! Firstly, 1000 steps up to the peak of a mountain. Secondly, a relaxing descent back to the starting point. And thirdly, all of that in less than one hour!

When I first told Krisztian about the upcoming Sunday morning plan, the reaction was not as enthusiastic. I was hoping for more eagerness I had to admit. However, I was prepared with a convincing strategy. To be honest, it was not that difficult. I keep playing the same cards over and over again: “Great new experience”. “We have never done anything like this before”.  “Good for your health, gets the juices flowing”. “Think about your blood pressure” and finally “Pleeeaaassse”.

Getting up in time for this special hike in Solothurn

The next day I woke up Krisztian at a decent time, around 10am. I thought to myself it´s better to let him rest longer. Thus, he will be in a much better mood, as great spirits are essential for this hike in Solothurn. We learnt this quickly after the first 100 steps.

I am an early bird, preferably I rise together with the sun. Krisztian is a night owl, the later it gets, the more active he becomes. Regardless of these major differences, we have managed our time together well over the past decade. Moreover, during the last 10 years I have learnt when it is better to be a bit more patient. Therefore, I let him sleep a little longer.

Picturesque Aarburg and a little bit of Alcatraz

After a big cup of coffee and a short drive, our GPS directed us to a small parking place. This was the starting point of this great hike in Solothurn. We were not far off the little town Aarburg. Aarburg is a historic pretty city with a medieval castle. It sits high above the town, on yet another steep, rocky hillside. Today, the castle houses the “Kantonale Jugendheim”, for holding and rehabilitating juvenile offenders. A bit of an “Alcatraz” feeling came up here in these picturesque surroundings.

Aarburg is still part of the canton Aargau. The 1000er Stägli hike in Solothurn, however, is already based in the canton of Solothurn. Surprise, you might have guessed it from the name. In just a two-minute drive down the road, we had crossed the canton border.

The 26 cantons of Switzerland are the member states of the Swiss Confederation. If you are interested in the vibrant history, I suggest reading it up on the internet.  There is plenty to discover. Firstly, the constitution and powers and the origins of the 26 names. Secondly, why there are full and half cantons. Thirdly, the different languages and numerous dialects. In conclusion, there is so much to learn about this fascinating country.

About walking boots and “Hausbergs”

We left the car and put on our walking boots. In retrospect, I suggest you wear light sport shoes with a profile, rather than walking boots. For the “1000 Stägli” track and the short route back down, they were simply not necessary and far too heavy.

At one side, the traffic races by on the busy A1 motorway. On the other side, we see the forest at the bottom of the mountain “Born”. “Born” is the local mountain of Aaarburg, the so called “Hausberg”. Every town in Switzerland has a local mountain, which the inhabitants of the region call “Hausberg”.

The famous 1000 steps 

A wooden “1000er Stägli” sign shows you the way into the forest. This is of course where we took our first pictures – still smiling broadly, fully motivated and ready for the challenge.

After a few minutes of walking, we found ourselves at the bottom of the famous stairs. We were not the only people intrigued by the thought of climbing up a thousand stairs on a Sunday morning. There were plenty of folks around, from hobby athletes, health fanatics to active families. As a matter of fact, it was rather busy which made us think “ah well, it cannot be that bad”.

The “1000er Stägli” or “Bornstiege” was named after the mountain. It was built in 1896 to maintain a high-pressure water pipe at the Ruppoldingen storage power station. The storage ponds on the Born still exist. However, the pipes that connected the ponds to the power plant have long since been dismantled. What remains is the staircase with its 1150 (!!!) steps.

The rules for this hike in Solothurn

Since the staircase hike in Solothurn has become very popular, a few rules must be considered. In fact, I have looked up some articles whilst planning the walk and now took a few minutes to brief Krisztian:

1. A fair athlete gallantly grants priority to the person running uphill on the “1000er Stägli” hike in Solothurn.
2. It is not indecent to cheer on or motivate a “beginner” on the hard path upwards. It is also not considered rude to ask people about their condition.
3. So that no one gets scared, an overtaking manoeuvre should be announced early by whistling, singing or coughing.
4. Even if you are out of breath, don`t forget about your manners and keep greeting fellow stair-climbers.
5. Always treat plants and animals with respect and keep the nature around you clean.
6. Look after the stairs and your joints. As a traffic calming measure on the stairs and to protect your own joints, it is advisable to take a detour for the descent. Don`t forget that when descending your knee joints have to endure two to three times of your body weight.

Ready, set, go.

Ready, set, go. Step by step, literally, we climbed up. Little metal signs on the wooden steps let you know exactly how far you are already. And they also let you know how many steps are still ahead…

During the first 100 steps we still talked and smiled relatively often. From the 200 step onwards the talking was reduced to only vital information like: “Everything all right?”. Thanks God, it was a fresh, cool morning in January. I would not want to dare thinking how much more difficult this is on a hot summer day. The forest provides you with cooling shade, however, the climb will make you sweat. Guaranteed.

No more talking, just breathing

Between 300 and 400 the talking stopped completely and was replaced by the sound of our own heavy breathing. After what felt like an eternity, we reached a point where a wooden trunk-bench offers you a moment of rest. In fact, this eternity was more or less only 15 minutes. Since we could not really talk anymore, we merely exchanged views. In quiet agreement, we decided to continue the ascent. None of us knew, if we were ever able to get up from this bench again.

500, 600, 700…I crossed my hands behind my back. This seemed to make it easier and I felt that this posture prevented me from simply falling forward.

Dear Lydia…

 In addition to the metal number signs, other signs came up: “Dear Lydia, the more strenuous the path, the more valuable the goal”. Really? I am doubting that Lydia was under the same impression!! The next one: “20 years – Michel and Monika”. I looked back at Krisztian and wondered if, after having talked him into this, we would still have a future. Apart from the emotional aspect we might simply not survive this!

Congratulations! But, hang one a moment!

 800, 900, 1000, Bravo!!! A mini metal congratulations sign – yay – we have made it! But hang on a moment, there were still more steps to come! After having waited eagerly for the 1000 step sign, we now had to realize that there were still more steps to come. We could still not see the end of the stairs! It could not be true. However, it was true. We cursed the little “bravo” sign for having deceived us and triggered happiness and relief too early.

We dragged ourselves forward, put our shits together for the last metres, step by step, 1100 what??? These were 100 more than we originally signed up for, this was so unfair. And it still wasn´t finished…1145, 46, 47, 48, 50!!! 1150! NOT 1000. 1150!!!

1150 steps and the funniest selfie in our history

 I stood on the top, looked back down, waiting for Krisztian to arrive. I had the phone ready to capture what would become one of the funniest selfies we had ever made. The facial expression of his face could not reflect the exhaustion and agony any better. Month later we are still laughing from the bottom of our hearts about this photo.

On a side note, in 2017 a gentleman called Friedrich Dähler, ran up the stairs in only 6 minutes and 37 seconds. This was during the annually 1000er-Stägli running competition. No comment.

The well signposted descent led us via a “Chänzeli” viewpoint, with view over the “Wigger” valley and the pre-alps back down.  We passed “Rehbrünneli” and “Bornweid” and after a while arrived back at the point where we started. Honestly, after this hell-of-a-35-minute-ascent, we hardly noticed the way down. At some stage we were back at our car.

We climbed in, took a long breath in and a full breath out. Truly adventurous hike in Solothurn. We have made it!