What does the Basel region have in abundance? Amazing museums and hiking. It's not surprising someone put those together into one delightful experience: the 24-Stops Rehberger Weg. This trail, approximately 5km in length (one way), connects Fondation Beyeler in Riehen to the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany. Along the way you find 24 colorful art installations of varying form created by the artist Tobias Rehberger.
The Route
The route can be started at either of the museums and you can follow the path using the artist's whimsical map, which I recommend downloading before you hit the trail. While it is posted at the beginning and end (and once in the middle) it is necessary in order to make sure you do not miss any of the installations. It took our family 90 minutes to walk the route one way at a moderate (kid) pace with a few water breaks.
Getting There
The Fondation Beyeler is accessible by the nearby Fondation Beyeler stop on Tram 6 and Vitra Design Museum is accessible from the Banhof/Zentrum stop on Tram 8 (from there it is about a 15 minute walk to the museum). There are parking lots nearby both museums as well.
For those looking only to hike one way, a shuttle service is provided between the two museums from March to October every weekend and all public holidays. It departs Vitra Campus at 3:00pm by the 'bell' installation and from the Beyeler at 3:30pm by the 'waterspouts" installation. It is 6 Euros per person and is cash only. Also, it can fit only 6 people so make sure you get to the shuttle spot early!
Sites
Delightful, playful art objects
Beautiful vineyard views
Vistas of the city
Amenities
Suitable for beginner hikers, children and strollers
Access to bathroom facilities and restaurants at both museums
Benches and water fountains along the way
Details
I've sketched out the general path here, but not with too much detail. Finding the art installations and following the map is a big part of the fun!
Our family started out at Fondation Beyeler (where the first of four of the installations are located in close proximity). From Beyeler you head out along Bachtelenweg through some lovely fields heading towards the Wiese River. You cross over the Weise, pass by the Naturabad Riehen and, shortly after, walk into Germany. While it's unlikely you will be asked, you may want to have the necessary travel documents with you (e.g. residency card and passport if applicable).
You walk through the edge of the Weil am Rhein village before heading uphill into the vineyards. When you get to the vineyards you will see a large poster of the map (congratulations you are about halfway to the Vitra!) From here you walk among the vineyards enjoying some lovely views of the city.
At the 19th and 20th installations you head down from the vineyards, through some garden allotments towards the Vitra Museum in Weil am Rhein. While our family only did the trail you could start or end your hike with one of the museums - or both if you are very ambitious! Both Museums have good restaurants so you could really make a day of it.
All in all this is a great little hike. And if you want to learn even more about the idea and artist behind the trail definitely check out the trail's website.