The village of Mariastein is close to the French border at the end of the Leimen valley, 15 km from Basle. Rotberg youth hostel is enthroned on a cliff, facing the village of Mariastein, on the slopes of the Blauen – a reason for visiting in itself - and surrounded by forests.

Places to visit nearby include:

•The cloister of Mariastein (guided tours on request)
•Castle ruins at Landskron, Pfeffingen and Dorneck
•Electricity museum in Münchenstein
•Paper museum in Basle
•Goetheanum in Dornach
•Basle zoo