10 Walks in and Around Bern

The birds are chirping, tulips and snowdrops are sprouting – it’s time to get out and about! A walk is exactly the right way to enjoy the spring, to discover the city and region and to indulge in some “active relaxation”. We have collected our favorite walks in and around Bern for you.

For those wanting to recharge their batteries

The trees of the Bremgartenwald, one of Bern’s most popular recreational areas, sway in the wind just outside the gates of Switzerland’s capital city. A perfect place to recharge your batteries. Follow the signposts to the mysterious Glassbrunnen (Glass Spring) said to have restorative powers. This reputed area of natural energy attracts travelers from across the whole of Switzerland as well as locals to fill their bottles with the energizing spring water or to drink the mythical liquid directly from the spring. According to a legend going back to the Middle Ages, the ghost of a beautiful woman who died leaving over a hundred children behind is said to appear from time to time at the spring. Our tip: Leave your cell phone at home. A digital detox will do you good!

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For peace-seekers

Need to escape from the stresses of everyday life and the city? Then off you go to the Zehendermätteli! This idyllic natural oasis is located in one of the River Aare’s most attractive loops in Bern. You can walk across the peninsula in about 30 minutes. If you are looking for absolute peace and quiet, you will find it in the neighboring Reichenbachwald (Reichenbach Forest) or on the banks of the quietly flowing Aare. This oasis of calm reaches perfection when listening to the chirping birds while you enjoy a cup of coffee and a delicious cake under the shady trees of the Restaurant Zehendermätteli.

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For small explorers

Would you like to take a literally legendary springtime walk with the family? Then a trip into the fairyland of the Schwarzsee is just right for you! During the “Witch’s Trail” (Häxewääg), a two-hour adventure tour round the lake with a detour to a waterfall, stories of dragons and witches will fascinate young eyes. Grown-ups can enjoy the gorgeous surroundings while the youngsters amuse themselves. “I have seen and visited many beautiful places on this planet but for me the Schwarzsee is next to Hanalei Bay on Kauai in Hawaii the most beautiful place on earth” was how one Tripadvisor user raved about the Schwarzsee.

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For lovers and amateur photographers

The sunshine entices us out of our bed and invites us to drive to Lake Burgäschi, just 45 minutes outside of Bern. This moraine lake bordering the cantons of Bern and Solothurn was formed during the last ice age and, thanks to the “Burgäschi East” pile dwellings, was awarded with an UNESCO World Heritage status in 2011. It’s a wonderful place to walk hand in hand. A sea of crocuses sprouts from the ground to the right and left of the woodchip path around the lake and the Restaurant Seeblick tempts us with its culinary delights. Our tip for all amateur photographers – the reflections in the water are particularly picturesque in the hour before sundown.

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For families

Bern’s inhabitants love the Gurten, their very own “mountain”. Whether it’s pushing a baby stroller, walking the dog on a leash or enjoying quality-time hand in hand with their sweetheart. When the springtime sunshine draws people from their houses, this hill above the city becomes alive. The Gurten is a real paradise for children as well: About 22 attractions, of which 20 are free, invite all crowds to seek them out and let off some steam. One highlight is the legendary marble run, a type of large-scale, Tinguely machine almost 300-meter-long.

More about Bern’s local mountain

  • Tipp

    Did you know? If you spend one or more nights at an accommodation in the city of Bern, you will receive a Bern Ticket for the entire duration of your stay, which allows you to use public transport for free – including the Gurten funicular!

For the sociable

The sociability and relaxed attitude which typifies Bern can best be celebrated along the River Aare. Our springtime tip: A walk of about five kilometers to Elfenau. We start from the Bern Animal Park, BearPark and stroll through the magnificent trees of the Englische Anlagen (English Park), past the thundering water of the Schwellenmätteli until we reach the Bern Animal Park, Dählhölzli. If you feel like it, you can say “Hi!” to the flamingos soaking up the spring sunshine here. You now take the riverside path through a wonderful river wetland until you reach the scenic water-meadows and nature reserve of Elfenau Park. This is just the place to while away time on a bench between a series of small pools, expanses of reeds and ancient gnarled trees while you enjoy the view across the garden and the River Aare. To complete the perfect stroll, stop for a snack at the Fähribeizli restaurant.

More things to do on the banks of our favourite river

For the sporty types

Those who scorn walking as too boring and want to increase their pulse rate put on their jogging shoes. Whether through the Bremgartenwald, on the Gurten, Bern’s own mountain, along the green banks of the Aare or through Bern’s Old Town (a UNESCO world heritage site), jogging enthusiasts get their money’s worth in Switzerland’s capital. Our tip: Gaze in wonder at Bern’s sights as you run the “10 most beautiful miles in the world” which form the Bern Grand Prix. Anyone not able to compete in the legendary “Bern GP” or who wants to train for this event can, of course, follow the route at any time.

More jogging routes

For puzzle lovers

Do your children turn up their nose when they hear “Let’s go for a walk”? Would grandpa prefer to spend hours indoors with his Sudoku than get a breath of fresh air? Foxtrail is the perfect solution for a different type of family outing. Intricate puzzles are solved by teamwork, secret messages deciphered, and the tracks of a sly old fox are sought after in Switzerland’s most exciting treasure hunt. Different routes varying between 2 and 4.5 hours lead you to Bern’s most attractive locations and involve the whole family in a light-hearted treasure hunt.

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For those feeling tired or hung over

Aching muscles? Or has last night’s party left you hung over? We recommend a mini-walk in the Rosengarten (Rose Garden) for anyone in need of some fresh spring air with the minimum of effort. The number 10 bus will take you there. A stroll through 223 species of roses, 200 iris species and 28 rhododendron species will lift even the most tired of spirits. If you are lucky you will witness the highlight event of the Bern spring – between the middle and end of March the Japanese cherry trees in the Rosengarten are in full bloom for just a few days. Our tip: Take your picnic blanket with you, buy a crispy “Loubebrot” at the Bread à porter bakery in Bern’s Old Town and enjoy a picnic in the open air.

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For the brainy ones

Did you know that Bern is the home of the three-time world orienteering champion Judith Wyder? Thus, the perfect city for a different sort of walk. November 2017 saw the opening of the first Bern leg of the Swiss-O-Finder with three courses in the regions of the Bern Animal Park, Dählhölzli and Elfenau. You use a map to complete a specified route and pass various checkpoints, either walking or running. The Swiss-O-Finder is open at any time, accessible to all and free. The starting point and finish of the three routes can be easily reached with the number 19 bus going towards Elfenau (the Ka-We-De stop and Elfenau terminus).

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Panoramic view guaranteed

Beautiful lookout points around Bern

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