Thal Nature Park (''Naturpark Thal'' in German) is a
nature reserve
A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or ...
located in the Swiss
Canton of Solothurn
The canton of Solothurn or canton of Soleure (german: Kanton Solothurn rm, Chantun Soloturn french: Canton de Soleure; it, Canton Soletta) is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the northwest of Switzerland. The capital is Solothurn.
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, bordering the cantons of
Bern
german: Berner(in)french: Bernois(e) it, bernese
, neighboring_municipalities = Bremgarten bei Bern, Frauenkappelen, Ittigen, Kirchlindach, Köniz, Mühleberg, Muri bei Bern, Neuenegg, Ostermundigen, Wohlen bei Bern, Zollikofen
, website ...
and
Basel-Landschaft
Basel-Landschaft or Basel-Country informally known as Baselland or Baselbiet (; german: Kanton Basel-Landschaft ; rm, Chantun Basilea-Champagna; french: Canton de Bâle-Campagne; it, Canton Basilea Campagna), is one of the 26 cantons forming ...
. The largest municipality in Thal Nature Park is
Balsthal
Balsthal is a municipality in the district of Thal in the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland.
History
Balsthal is first mentioned in 968 as ''Palcivallis''. In 1255 it was mentioned as ''Balcetal''.
Geography
Balsthal has an area, , of . Of ...
. It features the wide valley of the river Dünnern behind the Weissenstein mountain range. In 2012, the FOEN deemed the reserve a "park of national importance," a label that is effective for ten years from its instatement on January 1, 2010.
Fortress ruins point to its former history as a pack route through the small town of Klus, however, today the surrounding land serves mostly agricultural purposes.
The "Haar und Kamm" (hair and comb) Museum, a former comb factory, is also located in the park.Thal Nature Park MySwitzerland.com