Kiesen brings together the Aare Valley, cultural attractions and opportunities to explore the surrounding area on foot or by bike. Most of the municipality lies on the flat Aare Valley plain. When planning your visit, it is worth considering the different highlights: the museum, castle and old village centre are the main attractions in the village, while the nature reserve, hiking trails and recreation areas shape the landscape around the Aare and Rotache rivers.
Museum, castle and village centre
The Kiesen Dairy Museum comprises two small buildings protected as historic monuments. A video at the museum shows how Emmental cheese is made. The museum thus brings together two distinct aspects: a protected group of buildings and an insight into cheese production. If you are interested in the history and production of Emmental cheese, the video offers a specific connection to the area.
Kiesen Castle and its surroundings are also considered an architectural and cultural-historical ensemble of particular value. The castle is privately owned and not open to the public, so it cannot be planned as a public sightseeing destination. Kiesen’s old village centre is also considered a valuable part of the village and adds to its cultural attractions.
Aare landscape and trails
Along the Aare in Kiesen is a nature reserve of national importance with alluvial forests. There are many swimming and barbecue spots on the Rotache. A 2025 environmental report describes the area studied in Kiesen as containing extensively managed woodland criss-crossed by footpaths and used for recreation comparatively often. The paths are described as part of this specific study area, not as a statement about every forest in the municipality.
Kiesen and the region can be explored on numerous well-maintained hiking trails. There is also a clear option for cycling: Kiesen is a junction for two national cycle touring routes. The cycling routes are also well suited to inline skating. Alongside the hiking trails, they offer further ways to explore the landscape according to your preferred mode of transport.
Circular hike and Aare Route
The “Im Dreistromland” circular hike links three villages, three rivers and seven bridges in the Kiesen and Aare valleys. It starts and ends at Kiesen railway station. The first 20 minutes of walking follow the Chise; the entire circular hike takes a little over two hours. This duration is useful for planning your day, without needing to equate it with the time for any individual section.
One section along the banks of the Aare has benches, fire pits and swimming spots. This helps distinguish the tour’s specific stops from the general hiking trails: “Im Dreistromland” has a named start and end point and a stated duration, while the trails in the municipality and region offer a wider range of ways to explore.
The Aare Route includes a six-kilometre section from Steffisburg railway station to Kiesen. From Kiesen, it continues for eight kilometres to MĂĽnsingen Parkbad. The circular hike is described in terms of approximate duration, while these sections are measured by distance. Check the current route before setting off.
Getting here
Kiesen has direct access to the A6 motorway between Bern and Thun. Kiesen railway station is the start and end point for the circular hike. These two reference points help you coordinate your journey with your planned activities, without assuming a particular route or length of stay.
Discover more destinations: Wichtrach, Herbligen, Linden, Oberhünigen, Konolfingen, Münsingen, Aeschlen, Zäziwil.
Back to the main travel overview: Konolfingen.
