Westweg-Etappe 12 (West): Kandern - Basel

From Kandern, the Westweg initially follows the Kandertal valley. Rocks have split off on the slope of the Kander and form the Wolfsschlucht gorge. Narrow paths lead through narrow rock passages and steep slopes under the canopy of mighty beech trees, sometimes uphill, sometimes downhill to Hammerstein.

The first vineyards accompany the hiker via Egerten to the Baselblick hut above Wollbach. Behind the pretty Markgräfler village, the path disappears into the forest and heads towards the ruins of Rötteln Castle, which stands majestically above Lörrach, on the Flachslandweg. The castle, which was rebuilt to its present size after the Basel earthquake in 1356, is one of the largest castle complexes in southern Baden. The climb to the Staufer keep is well worth it - if only for the view over the castle, the town and the Wiesental valley. The nearby church of Rötteln is also worth a visit. In the church, which is over 1,250 years old, the tombs of Margrave Rudolf III of Baden and his wife can be found in a vaulted chapel. Passing through Turmringen, the route leads up the Tüllinger Berg to the Daur-Hütte hut, which offers great views.

As you hike along the edge of the forest to the Tüllinger Höhe, new views of the Wiesental valley, the Dinkelberg and the town of Lörrach constantly open up. A little later, the terrace of the Ottilien church in Obertüllingen offers a marvellous view of Basel. The little river Wiese is reached through the Swiss vineyards. The Wiesedamms leads through the Lange Erlen to the zoo of the same name, from where it is only a few minutes to Badischer Bahnhof.

PLEASE NOTE: When you cross the border into Switzerland, the trail markings on the West Trail adapt to the Swiss hiking trail markings. Please follow the Swiss rhombus to the end point at Badischer Bahnhof in Basel; the red rhombus marking of the Westweg ends at the German border.

Please also note that one section of the Westweg leads through the "Lange Erlen" zoo in Basel. This is open daily from March to October from 08:00 to 18:00 and from November to February from 08:00 to 17:00 with free admission. Outside these times, you must walk round the zoo.