The heavily furrowed Jura Mountains, which are made up of several mountain ranges divided by faults, shocks and erosion, are drained by the Cholersbach, which formed the Devil's Gorge in the lower part over millions of years. The entrance to the Devil's Gorge is in the middle of Hägendorf. A footpath leads in many fascinating curves over bridges and footbridges, past caves, tunnels and gorges to the Allerheiligenberg. The Cholersbach flows over waterfalls and smooth rock slabs into the village and flows into the Dünner at the village border with Kappel.
Since the beginning of the last century, the path from Allerheiligenstrasse near Kanzelfluh has been used as a wood transport route. Almost at the same time, the Hägendorf community opened up the entire gorge. A few years later, the path then went along the Hoferbächli up to the lung sanatorium in Allerheiligenberg.
While the Jura rock crevice was formerly called Collerbachsgraben and Teufelsgraben, the name Tüfelsschlucht has prevailed since the 1950s. Considering its might and the oppressive narrowness, this is a very fitting name. But the name is not a coincidence.
legend
A long, long time ago, the devil himself is said to have brought a poor soul from Unterwald to throw it into hell at the top of the hill. As it happened, the devil got lost on the way to the top. Thanks to the pleasant coolness, he jumped into the stream with the soul. After a wild hissing sound, a mighty cloud of steam rose up and after his work was done, the devil later returned with all his lords of hell to cool off.
Since then, smoke and mist have often risen from the ravine down the valley. The stench of sulphur, clouds over the mountain and clouds of steam obscure the view. When the devil and his companions then caused tidal waves, sweeping away the trees and killing the fish, the hustle and bustle was put to an end.
The devils fought back and tore stones from the rocks, raged with storm surges and tore up trees. But the village priest managed to drive the devil away in a wild fight lasting two to three hours.
Since then, the water has been calm and cool, and there have been no major floods.
hikes
There are numerous hiking trails in the Tüfelsschlucht area. It takes around two hours to get from Hägendorf to Belchenfluh. First you go through the beautiful Teufelsschlucht up to Allerheiligenberg. Then you continue through the forest and across mountain meadows to Belchenfluh. As a reward for the altitude, you will be rewarded with a fantastic panoramic view.
Directions and access
The hiking trail through the gorge begins near the Denner in Hägendorf. From the Hägendorf train station, the path to the Devil's Gorge is signposted. There is a car park in the village center of Hägendorf. The gorge is open all year round. Good footwear is recommended. In winter, when the stream freezes, a particularly devilish spectacle of ice and water occurs.
