Mountain Biking Trail No.4 ‘Um den Homberg’, Baselland, Switzerland

Posted by meczek on October 23, 2017 in Cycling, Europe, Switzerland

Mountain Biking Trail No.4 ‘Um den Homberg’
Starting point: Grellingen Railway Station
Distance: 22.70 km
Elevation gain: 497 m
Highest point: 759 m
Time required: ca. 3h
End point: Grellingen Railway Station

Map of trail No.4 ‘Um den Homberg’ (Hallwag Mountain Bike Map)

This circular tour starts and ends at the Grellingen train station and leads first along the Birs to Chessiloch, a historical site from the 1st World War – now a popular picnic area (Feuerstelle). During the first World War troops were stationed at Chessiloch. Since the Jura railway line was one of the important connections to the border troops, this railway line, as well as the Chessiloch bridge, was strictly guarded. Members of the various units have left coats of arms and symbolic figures on the rock walls.
The ascent through the Chaltbrunnen valley is not very steep an follows a designated hiking trail so (mind the walkers and hikers at this part of the trail!). After Chessiloch the trail turns left into beautiful Chaltbrunnen Valley (Chaltbrunnental) with towns Meltigen, Zullwil, Nunningen, Bretzwil and Seewen. Here the trail enters so-called ‘Schwarzbubenland’. After rounding the Homberg, the trail returns to the starting point Grellingen, crossing the main road Seewen – Grellingen and continuing downhill on the flank of the Eichenberg.
It is important to know that although this trail is an official mountain biking trail included on the Hallwag Mountain Bike Map No. 1 for Baselland, it leads along a signposted hiking trail and a GPS device or a map is almost a must in order to properly follow the route of the trail. The Hallwag Map includes a free map on your smartphone supported by GPS Tracks. Gps data can also be downloaded from ww.gps-tracks.com.