Eratischer Block "Grossi Flue"

The History

About 24 smaller and larger erratic blocks shape the landscape of Steinhof, which were transported here by the Rhone glacier. Many of them were used as building material and no longer exist. The three largest remaining boulders are named "Grosse Fluh" (called "Big Stone" by the locals), "Menhir" (Steinhof Matterhorn) and "Kilchlifluh" (Little Stone).

The Grossi Flue, the largest boulder in the Swiss Mittelland, weighs 3,500 tons and has a volume of 1,200 cubic meters. It originates from the Walliser Val de Bagnes and was transported over 180 kilometers by the Rhone glacier to Steinhof. It used to be even larger, but parts were blasted off for house building.
In 1869, it was purchased by the Swiss Society for Natural Research to prevent its destruction for railway construction, and put under protection. In 1883, the protection was extended to the entire group. These rescue actions led to the establishment of the Solothurn Nature Conservation Commission in 1905, the first in Switzerland. Only in 1971 were all boulders in the canton of Solothurn put under protection.

The Grossi Flue is not only a testament of the past, but also a unique habitat for alpine mosses, which otherwise do not grow in the Mittelland. The alpine mosses produce so many spores that they reach the boulders in the Mittelland via the air. They cannot grow on limestone, they need granite from the Alps. If they happen to land on a boulder, the moss grows. If they land on other stones, nothing happens.

A local legend says that babies in Steinhof are not brought by the stork, but emerge from a crevice in the Grossi Flue.

Today, the stone is a popular excursion destination. On this boulder, climbers train and children practice their climbing skills, and next to it, people barbecue on the fireplace.

The GeoCache

The cache is a small can that camouflages itself according to the theme. You will find it on the side of the Big Stone facing the path at about 2m height. There is no room for trade items and you have to bring your own writing utensils.

Enjoy your trip to the big stone.