Jurasonnenseite
The Jurasonnenseite is a tourism region in the Swiss canton of Solothurn, lying advantageously between the southern foot of the Jura mountains and the Aare river landscape. It comprises the town of Grenchen as well as the municipalities of Bettlach and Lengnau, home to over 30,000 inhabitants. The region combines innovation and quality of life, with a large excursion and leisure offer. It is dominated by the Jura ridge, crowned by the Bettlachstock, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage beech forest reserve, while the protected Aare floodplain of the Witi stretches across the south. Grenchen, an industrial and watchmaking town, forms the central hub, surrounded by green residential areas and nature. The region offers a mix of urban life, cultural vibrancy and extensive outdoor recreation between the Jura heights and the river.
Summer activities
In summer the Jurasonnenseite is a year-round destination for outdoor recreation. The Bettlachstock UNESCO World Heritage beech forest is best explored on foot along marked trails, with guided hikes and an interactive forest walk with themed posts. The region offers countless hiking routes across the Jura pastures with views over the Mittelland, plus climbing areas. Cycling is strongly promoted, from flat terrain and gravel roads to flow trails, including the Chasseral–Weissenstein bike route and the Grenchen Bike 560 mountain-bike tour. In the Witi floodplain along the Aare, visitors can swim, canoe, paddleboard, camp and watch storks, while the Tissot Velodrome national cycling stadium and one of the world's largest BMX and pumptrack facilities offer sporty thrills.
Winter activities
In winter the Jura heights of the Jurasonnenseite turn into a winter wonderland. The small Grenchenberg ski area offers two ski lifts, a 400-metre platter lift and a larger T-bar lift, with night skiing as a special attraction, ski and snowboard courses for all ages, and a Magic Pass season ticket. Snowshoeing is a particular focus, with four marked pink trails (Gländerwägli, Freiberger, Wandflue, Fuchsboden) that can also be walked without snowshoes, plus guided tours and beginner courses. Winter hiking trails are accessible without special equipment, and a 3.5-kilometre toboggan run descends from the Bettlachberg to Bettlach.
Culture and entertainment
The Jurasonnenseite has a lively and diverse cultural and artistic scene centred on the town of Grenchen. It ranges from museums and art houses to theatre performances and concerts, with renowned events such as the International Music Week and the International Magic Congress, as well as locally rooted occasions like the Kulturnacht, the traditional Chürbisnacht and the Christmas market. Grenchen was awarded the Wakkerpreis 2008 by the Swiss Heritage Society for its careful handling of post-war buildings and public space. The town offers a rich programme of guided city tours, including watchmaking-themed tours of the Fortis watch manufacture and the watch industry heritage, as well as several theatres and cinemas.
