In Kiental, the range of hikes extends from an easy themed trail taking just over two hours to a panoramic route lasting several hours. There are also trails inspired by local legends, winter activities, and notable historical connections. Kiental is a village in the Bernese Oberland and part of the municipality of Reichenbach im Kandertal in the canton of Bern. You can tailor your stay to whether you prefer a shorter hike, a long route, or a combination of scenery and culture.

Landscapes Between Gorge and Valley Floor

From Griesalp to Kiental, a well-maintained hiking trail initially follows the Gornerewasser through the Griesschlucht gorge. It then continues as a riverside path along the stream through the broad valley floor. The hiking route is not open year-round, so check whether it is open at your intended time before planning your trip.

Tschingelsee was formed by a debris flow in 1972 and is now a floodplain of national importance. At the far end of the Kiental valley, the area is part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site. Water channels between gravel banks provide habitat for numerous waterbirds and make for a delightful sight.

Choose Hikes by Duration and Season

For an easier themed trail, take the Alpenruh–Bärenpfad–Wildwasserweg–Tschingel route: it is 6.6 kilometers long and takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. Along the way, the trail names lead you through a thematic sequence; the route connects with the Kiental legends trails, which comprise several hikes from alp to alp. Information boards tell stories such as the tale of the Grüenmatti innkeeper, the Bundalp spirits, and the Witches’ Cauldron. Large, colorful figures from local legends add to the stops.

A guidebook to the Kiental legends trails is available from the tourist offices. As distribution arrangements can change, check before your visit whether the guidebook is currently available there. It is also useful to compare the durations when planning: the themed trail is listed as taking about 2 hours 15 minutes, while the Lötschberg Panorama Trail from Kiental to Kandersteg is 20 kilometers long, takes 6 hours 30 minutes, and has an elevation gain of 1,150 meters.

The Lötschberg Panorama Trail begins at the valley station of the chairlift in Kiental. The first section climbs 500 meters in elevation in just over an hour and a half. Seasonal conditions can affect this section, so check local conditions and any temporary closures in advance. A mountain hike also leads from Griesalp in the upper Kiental valley over the Hohtürli Pass to Oeschinensee. Alpine conditions can affect access here too.

A shorter duration applies to the easy hike from the Ramslauenen chairlift to Kiental: the route is 5.3 kilometers long, takes 1 hour 20 minutes, and has an elevation gain of 18 meters and a descent of 478 meters. Comparing hiking times and elevation changes helps you adapt your day’s plans to each route without treating the different hikes as equivalent.

In winter, the Ramslauenen Trail is a snowshoe trail. Its starting point at the mountain station is accessible by the Kiental–Ramslauenen chairlift; snow conditions and lift operations vary seasonally. In the Kiental–Ramslauenen ski area, there are ski slopes below the Gehrihorn, accessible from Ramslauenen by chairlift. Check conditions and operations for these winter activities ahead of your planned visit.

The Chapel and Hotel Bären: Traces of History

The chapel in Kiental was built in 1929 to plans by Basel architect Vischer-Sarasin. The parish had decided to build it the previous year. Today’s Hotel Bären was created in 1912 by converting an existing hotel and is a testament to the importance of mountain tourism in Kiental before the First World War.

The history of the Zimmerwald movement is also connected with Hotel Bären: its second secret socialist conference took place there at the end of April 1916. In historical accounts, the Kiental Conference marked the movement’s high point, after its manifesto had gained wider support and a greater response. This history adds a political and cultural dimension to the landscape and hiking experiences without requiring a visit or access to an exhibition.

Plan Your Journey

Take the train to Reichenbach station, then continue to Kiental by PostBus. Check the timetable and suitable connections for your travel date. For hikes affected by seasonal conditions, it is also worth checking the route and operations in advance. This lets you plan your day around hiking time, elevation changes, and the season.

Discover more destinations: Frutigen, Aeschi Bei Spiez, Frutigen-Ried, Kandersteg, Adelboden, Reichenbach Im Kandertal, Aeschiried, Kandergrund.

Return to the main travel overview: Frutigen.