Grellingen-Beinwil

Yasmin, Keiko and Markus (from 09.06.18)

Arrived in Grellingen, the car can be parked directly at the station for only 5CHF/day. The hike starts evenly and moderately along the tracks (caution advised).
After a few minutes you will already reach the 1st highlight, the Chessiloch. The rock paintings here were created during the First World War, when the strategically important valley with its railway and road at the Chessiloch was guarded by the military.
Now follows the ascent through the Chaltbrunnen valley, where you can enjoy a wonderful hike along the Ibach, through the gorge-like forest with many different species of ferns and caves, where traces of the settlement by the Neanderthals and the oldest traces of the settlement by the man of today (Homo sapiens sapiens) in Switzerland have been found. A paradise, so to speak, the Garden of Eden for a water-loving pelt-nose. At the end of the Chaltbrunnen Valley, always along the Ibach, the path leads to the little town of Meltingen.

There we did not follow the Way of St. James anymore but the signposted hiking trail. At the entrance of the village turn right up. This led to a picturesque loop, at the end along great stone men on the Meltingerberg. A very unique ambience. Please note that from the Meltinger Bridge to the mountain of the same name there are no wells for the Fellnase (farms excluded).

On the Meltingerberg, at the restaurant (incl. water), the descent to Beinwil Monastery SO begins. Since Beinwil is a very widely scattered settlement, it is important to follow the signs to the monastery directly from the Meltingerberg. The monastery is a beautiful area that is well worth visiting.

It took us 6,5h (!!!) to get here without long breaks thanks to an extra loop and despite the fast pace, it was pouring with rain during the descent including summer thunderstorms. Our ten-month-old young dog, became more and more tired & lethargic, so we decided to call the hostel.

Urs and Tatiana write GUEST FRIENDSHIP big, had mercy with Keiko :-) and picked us up on time at Beinwil Monastery. The further ascent over the Hohe Winde, Scheltenpass, Erzberg to the Matzendörfer Stierenberg is another 2,5-3 h hiking time and another 750hm.

The trail from Grellingen to the Matzendörfer Stierenberg is therefore only recommended for very persistent dogs (and owners).