Olten Region
The Olten region lies in the Swiss Mittelland in the canton of Solothurn, centred on the small town of Olten, which is the largest town in the canton and an important railway hub. The tourism region comprises the three easternmost districts of the canton, Olten, Gösgen and Gäu, with the town of Olten at its centre. It is a mix of a lively small town with a historic old town and a rich cultural scene, surrounded by rural villages, Jura pastures and the Aare river with its idyllic banks and deep gorges. The region is dominated by the Aare and the nearby Jura heights rather than by high mountains or a lake. Olten has positioned itself as a literature town since 2016 and is known for its many authors, theatres, museums and festivals, while the surrounding countryside offers extensive local recreation areas, themed trails and nature experiences.
Summer activities
The Olten region is a classic hiking and cycling area. Numerous themed trails, such as the forest experience trail in the Bannwald, the sculpture trail in the Bornwald and the Tüfelsschlucht gorge in Hägendorf with its 32 bridges and waterfalls, invite visitors to explore. The Aare offers canoeing stages and river bathing, with several outdoor pools giving direct access to the river. Cyclists and mountain bikers can ride the Jura heights, and the region offers Vita Parcours fitness trails, golf and minigolf courses, a skate and bouldering hall, and a pumptrack.
Culture and entertainment
Olten is a lively cultural town with an unusually dense cultural scene for its size. It has several museums, including a house of museums with natural, historical and archaeological collections, an art museum and a house of photography, as well as cinemas, theatres and libraries. The town is a renowned literature town, home to many well-known authors, and offers the Swiss Writers' Trail with audio tours. The Oltner Kabarett-Tage, Switzerland's most important cabaret festival, takes place here every May, alongside a book festival and dance days, and the Stadttheater presents a varied programme of drama, music theatre and concerts.
