Westweg Etappe 13 (Ost): Oberminseln - Basel

On the final stage, hikers can look forward to two more scenic highlights, the wild and romantic Ruschbach valley and the unique Buchswald forest near Grenzach-Wyhlen. Here, the otherwise lovely Dinkelberg shows its wild side. Steep slopes, rocks and slippery gorges make for an intense nature experience before the art and culture city of Basel brings the tour to a close.

The descent from Oberminseln to Degerfelden leads through quiet stream valleys, over mountain ridges with great views and along varied forest edges. The ruins of the Roman estate near Degerfelden bear witness to the fact that the Romans appreciated the fearsomeness of the Dinkelberg over 2000 years ago. The Großbach stream in Degerfelden accompanies hikers to the historic village center.Through sparse beech forest adorned with rocks, the Westweg trail leads from Degerfelden along narrow paths up to the Eigenturm tower. From here, the view extends across the High Rhine near Rheinfelden to the nearby Swiss Jura. After Rührberg, the Westweg bends sharply to the left before the Swiss border and leads down to Wyhlen. The variant through the Ruschbach valley is highly recommended in dry weather.The Grenzacher Buchswald forest begins on the outskirts of Wyhlen. It is unique in Germany. The entire slope up to the Hornfelsen high above the Grenzacher Horn is overgrown with evergreen box trees up to five meters high on the lower level. Above this, downy oaks, maples and beeches form the natural canopy. The box trees, which were probably brought here by the Romans, love the dry, warm climate on the steep slope. The west path winds its way up and down through the thicket of the boxwood. Surefootedness is essential on the steep sections. Past the Rötelstein rock and along narrow ledges, the trail leads up to the heights before descending to Grenzach.The final highlight is the Grenzach Hornfelsen. High above the Rhine, the view sweeps over the Birsfeld harbor facilities and across to Basel. After a steep zigzag descent, the Westweg reaches the last foothills of Grenzach-Wyhlen and a little later, behind the customs station, the outskirts of Basel. The route now follows the banks of the Rhine to the Tinguely Museum at the Schwarzwaldbrücke bridge and from there through Schwarzwaldstraße to the finish at Badischer Bahnhof station.