A small pond with an unusual backstory, a hike across meadows and through woodland, and a mill with its machinery intact offer several ways to explore Gondiswil. The village lies at around 660 metres above sea level, among gentle hills and dark forests. You can organise your stay around the things that interest you most: wildlife watching at the Gondiswil pond, hiking or cycling, and the history of the mill.
Pond and trails through the countryside
The Gondiswil pond nature reserve encompasses an idyllic little pond where you can linger and observe species that thrive in water. The pond was created from a former coal pit. Here, wildlife watching and a specific history of human use come together in one place. If you would rather pause and observe, the pond is a clear destination; the hikes described, by contrast, focus on trails through the countryside.
In Gondiswil, the Napfbergland Border Trail follows the Fribach stream to the Gondiswil pond nature reserve; from the pond to the Gondiswil Mill, the same trail follows the Wiesenbächlein stream. These two sections offer different destinations: the nature reserve and pond on the one hand, and the mill on the other.
The “Idyllic Hike through the Central Plateau” begins in Gondiswil, first crossing open meadows before continuing along an idyllic woodland path. This distinction can help you choose: this hike highlights the transition from open terrain to woodland, while the Border Trail focuses on its streams and its destinations at the pond and mill. In addition to the specific routes described, the area around Gondiswil also invites you to enjoy longer walks.
On foot and by bike
Another hiking trail leads from the village via Zelg and Bärgli towards Haueten. As of 26 August 2026, it was considered open and safe to use; this status may change, so check before setting off.
The signposted Heart Route passes through Gondiswil; check the signage and route before setting off. Separate from this is the Gondiswil Gymnastics Club’s annual e-bike ride, whose date and participation arrangements may vary from year to year.
Mill and practical information
At the Gondiswil Mill, you can distinguish its technical history from an architectural detail. The mill machinery, which remains intact, has not been powered by water since 1908. The sandstone door lintel bears the inscription of the Schär brothers: “Renovated in 1841”. A lintel is the horizontal structure above a door; the sandstone lintel makes the inscription easy to see as an architectural detail. The two dates refer to different things: 1841 to the renovation inscription, and 1908 to the end of water-powered operation.
On Sundays, services alternate between the Gondiswil church hall and Melchnau Church. The schedule may change; check in advance which location is planned for the Sunday you have in mind. For getting there, the Border Trail description lists bus services to Gondiswil municipal hall; check the current connections before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Aarwangen, Auswil, Langenthal, Leimiswil, Madiswil, Rohrbach, Lotzwil, Obersteckholz.
Back to the main travel overview: Aarwangen.
