Six kilometres of arcades define Bern’s Old Town; from the Gantrisch Panorama Trail, views extend to the Pre-Alps and the Jura range. The canton of Bern can be explored through a wide variety of experiences: the city’s history, cheese experiences, and routes for cyclists and hikers each offer a different perspective on the region. When planning your trip, you could start by considering which of these aspects interests you most.
Old Town and architectural history
Bern’s Old Town sits on a hill surrounded by the Aare. Its medieval layout has been preserved despite ongoing modernisation. Its defining features include six kilometres of arcades and vaulted cellars housing studios, bars and shops; the uses of individual cellars may change. The Rose Garden overlooks the Old Town and offers views of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Burgdorf Castle also combines history with experiences for visitors. This monument of national importance has stood for around 900 years. The castle houses three museums with collections of national importance: the Castle Museum, the Museum of Ethnology and the Swiss Gold Museum. Another offering invites visitors to get creative: children can make art at the Creaviva studio at the Zentrum Paul Klee.
Cheese and pastries in the Emmental
At the Emmental Show Dairy, the history of cheesemaking can be traced through its buildings: the tour leads from the 1741 Stöckli building to the dairy dating from 1989. A public fresh-cheese workshop is also held in the historic 1741 Küherstube. Private groups can also make cheese over an open fire or shape fresh cheese into hearts. Dates and booking conditions may change; check the current offering in advance.
In Trubschachen, Kambly Erlebnis explores the origins and art of fine biscuit-making in a playful, interactive experience. The 3.5-kilometre Discovery Trail passes through the village, taking in beautiful spots and sights, and ends at Kambly Erlebnis, where activities and puzzles await. Cheesemaking and pastry culture thus offer different ways to experience the region: one focuses on the evolution of dairy buildings and cheese production, the other on the history and art of fine biscuit-making.
Cycling tours on different scales
In the canton of Bern, Veloland routes serve a cantonal network function, are signposted uniformly and are featured on SwitzerlandMobility. One themed cycling tour with a set distance is the Green Belt of Bern: it runs for 58 kilometres and connects municipalities around Bern.
Other figures refer to larger networks of routes: six of the ten E-bike Highlight Routes by Bern Welcome are in the Emmental; the area has more than 600 kilometres of signposted e-bike routes in total. Gantrisch Nature Park, including Schwarzsee, has more than 350 kilometres of mountain bike trails and around 300 kilometres of gravel bike routes. The comparison helps put these figures in context: the Green Belt is a single themed tour, while the figures for the Emmental and Gantrisch describe larger networks of routes.
Hiking and Gantrisch Nature Park
The signposted hiking network in the canton of Bern covers around 10,000 kilometres. Gantrisch Nature Park offers various ways to explore the landscape on foot: the well-maintained, signposted Gantrisch Panorama Trail offers views of the Pre-Alps and the Jura range. The wooden Gäggersteg walkway on the Pfyffe passes over deadwood and offers insights into nature regenerating itself. As a family-friendly nature experience, it combines the trail with an opportunity to learn about this special natural environment. As seasonal access may vary, check before your visit.
The nature park covers 405 square kilometres and includes 19 municipalities; it was certified by the Swiss Confederation as a Regional Nature Park in 2012. It was also the first area in Switzerland to receive the international “International Dark Sky Park” designation. More than 30 guided tours and excursions include night hikes, llama trekking and themed tours about the region’s plant life. The programme may change; check in advance which activities are running during your visit.
A legends trail of around 50 kilometres passes through the forests and gorges of the nature park. At various experience stops, you can listen to or read legends from the region. The welcome centres in Burgistein, Schwarzenburg or Riggisberg can be reached from Bern by S-Bahn in around 30 minutes. Check the current timetable for your journey; the journey time refers to these welcome centres.
Two hiking stages also showcase different landscapes: one runs from RĂĽeggisberg to Guggisberg through alpine meadows and the Schwarzwassergraben gorge. Another runs from Guggisberg to Schwarzsee through the Laubbach Valley and onward through forests.
Winter trails and Aare experiences
Gantrisch Nature Park has 45 kilometres of well-groomed cross-country ski trails at elevations of between 1,450 and 1,650 metres. Cross-country ski equipment can be rented at three locations. Snow conditions and winter operations are seasonal; check in advance which trails and rental facilities will be operating during your trip.
In Bern, the Aare is suitable for swimming for strong swimmers. Check local water conditions before swimming. When river rafting on the Aare, you drift downstream in a boat.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Saanen, Obersimmental, Interlaken, Schwarzenburg, MĂĽnster, Niedersimmental, Frutigen, Signau, Aarberg, Thun, Konolfingen, Seftigen, Bern, Nidau, Neuenstadt, Biel/Bienne, Aarwangen, Wangen, Burgdorf, Trachselwald, Courtelary, Oberhasli, BĂĽren, Fraubrunnen, Erlach, Vauffelin, Bernese Jura, Emmental, Oberaargau, Laupen.
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