Eulengrat above Solothurn

Above Solothurn is a soon-to-be legendary multi-pitch route, about which you hear rumors again and again. Finally, I made it there myself and must say that the many stories surrounding this climb, praising it so highly, are not far from reality. Indeed, the Eulengrat offers some of the best enjoyable climbing, although the approach and descent also take some time.

From Rüttenen, you ascend to the edge of the forest between meadows and fields. Once you reach the forest edge, depending on the chosen route, you hike a short or long way to the start of the Eulengrat. There are always signposts pointing the way. The approach is partly steep but always quite walkable.

For those who find the approach, a true joy begins. The ridge starts relatively easy, allowing you to warm up comfortably on the first pitch. The limestone is mostly stable and repeatedly offers good holds and footholds. Bolts and anchors are in good condition, so all that remains is to enjoy the climbing on the sunny south wall.

After the fourth pitch, you reach a small plateau from which you can admire the Alps in the far distance. Next comes a short stretch of hiking terrain. On the right, you descend a ladder and soon reach the next pitch. From here, there are repeatedly various options with differing difficulty. You cannot avoid a total of three pitches rated 5c, but if needed, it can also be a bit more demanding.

Climbing sections and short hiking stretches alternate again and again. Except for the first hiking section with the ladder, you can also stay roped in and either secure yourself from anchor to anchor or climb together on the rope. After a total of nine pitches, unfortunately, the fun is over. To find the descent, you go more or less off-trail upwards until you reach a clearly visible path. You then follow this path down to the left.