Verena Gorge

The Verenaschlucht runs north from the edge of Solothurn into the first ridge of the Jura, a shallow wooded gorge with a stream, cliffs of pale limestone and a path along the floor. Set into the rock partway up are two chapels - the Martinskapelle and the Verenakapelle - and a hermitage that has been continuously occupied for around four centuries, with hermits appointed by the city; it is among the very few positions of its kind left in Europe that has not lapsed. The chapels are simple, cut partly into the rock face, and can be entered. The walk is easy and short, popular with people from Solothurn as an evening circuit, and continues up toward the Weissenstein for anyone going further.

The landscape

• Two rock chapels - the Martinskapelle and Verenakapelle set into the cliff.
• A hermitage still occupied - hermits appointed by the city for four centuries.
• A short easy gorge path - half an hour from Solothurn's old town.
• The route on to the Weissenstein - continuing up the Jura front.

When to go

All year. Two hours.

Good to know

This is a modest, quiet place, not a spectacle - the appeal is the hermitage and the walk. The hermitage is a home; respect the signs. Paths are muddy after rain. It is close enough to the city that it is never empty at weekends.

Nearby

Solothurn old town is below; the Weissenstein ridge is above.