Habkern combines impressive moorland with village history and craftsmanship. These varied themes can help you choose a destination: explore protected areas, take a look at the village’s history or learn about the making of the Swiss alphorn.
Moorland and striking natural features
Above Interlaken and Habkern lies Lombachalp, with 86 km² of moorland, one of the largest and most impressive areas of its kind in Switzerland. Its character is shaped by extensive lowland mires and rare, protected raised bogs. The protection boundary is especially important for the raised bogs: because they are vulnerable to trampling and rare, they must not be entered at any time of year. From June to October, you can borrow the Lombachalp explorer kit free of charge from the Jägerstübli restaurant. It lets you explore the Habkern-Sörenberg moorland and the protected area around Lombachalp.
Another natural attraction is Luegibodenstein. The rock has a volume of 5,000 cubic metres, is considered Europe’s largest granite erratic and has been protected for more than 100 years. The three-hour Luegibodenstein circular trail leads to it. Its history also reaches beyond the region: in 1852, a piece of the rock was sent to America as a gift from Switzerland for the Washington Monument.
The landscape between Augstmatthorn and Hohgant is an internationally significant Important Bird Area. You can spot chamois on the slopes of both mountains; ibex may be seen on Augstmatthorn. In summer and autumn, a group of up to 30 ibex may gather there. Habkern’s highest peak is Hinder Hohgant, also called Furggegütsch, at 2,197 metres.
Village history and alphorn making
Habkern Church was built in 1666 by Abraham I Dünz on the hillside of the scattered settlement and has been renovated several times since. The coat-of-arms relief in the entrance hall, the pulpit and the baptismal font date from the time it was built, as do six heraldic stained-glass panels, most of which are attributed to Matthias Zwirn. If you are interested in the village’s historic appearance, the church offers a concrete example of the village’s architectural history.
The Habkern Local History Museum is located in a former schoolroom and presents the village’s history through traditional household items, tools, musical instruments, photographs and film footage. Its themes also include traditions, customs, crafts and the distinctive geology of the Habkern Valley. The Bernatone Alphorn Making Museum is usually open and admission is free; check that it is open before your visit.
At Bernatone Alphorn Making, you can book a workshop tour to learn more about making the traditional Swiss alphorn. Instruments made by Bernatone that are ready to play are regularly available in the workshop to try out. Please arrange to try them with the workshop in advance.
Seasonal activities and practical information
The small, family-friendly Habkern swimming pool is solar-heated and offers a kiosk, a children’s paddling pool, a playground and a sunbathing lawn with a picnic area. It is used for swimming in summer and autumn; seasonal availability may vary. The pool is a short walk from the Zäundli bus stop and is easily accessible by public transport.
In winter, there is a prepared sledging slope on Lombachalp near Lägerstutz. The Habkern ski area has a children’s winter paradise with a snow carousel, magic carpet and figure course. Habkern ski lift includes a large ski lift with seven kilometres of pistes. These activities offer a different seasonal focus from exploring the moorland or visiting the swimming pool.
The cycle routes also differ in their stated starting and finishing points: Hohgant Bike is 41 kilometres long and starts and ends in Habkern. Panorama Bike Route 2, Stage 9, by contrast, runs from Sörenberg to Habkern. Bus-alpine route 31.107 connects Habkern Zäundli with Lombachalp-Roteschwand and operates partly as a request bus. Check the timetable before travelling so you can plan your connection accordingly.
Alpine cheese and regional cuisine
A visit to an alpine cheese dairy is offered in Habkern in summer and autumn; seasonal availability may vary. At Alp Heubühlen, you can watch alpine cheese being made and buy fresh cheese on site. A traditional herdsman’s breakfast with rösti, fried eggs and cheese is also offered there. This combines an insight into cheese-making with a specific opportunity to sample regional products, without requiring you to plan a fixed itinerary for the day.
Discover more destinations: Brienz, Brienzwiler, Beatenberg, Wilderswil, Wengen, Axalp, LĂĽtschental, Leissigen.
For the overall travel overview: Interlaken.
