In Schwanden Ob Sigriswil, stargazing, a scenic planetary trail and seasonal winter activities come together. To plan your trip, it helps to decide what you want to focus on first: Would you like to observe the night sky, plan a longer hike, or spend time on cross-country ski trails and slopes? The routes and activities vary in duration, elevation and conditions.

SIRIUS Planetary Trail and Views from Blueme

One starting point for the SIRIUS Planetary Trail is the SIRIUS observatory in Schwanden. The walking time alone is about three hours. Most of the route follows well-maintained, marked hiking trails, with a few moderate inclines. Along the way, the panorama opens up from Lake Thun across the Bernese Mittelland and as far as the Jura. The time estimate gives you a guide for the hike, while the views offer a reason to take breaks in their own right.

The Blueme observation tower stands just a few steps from the planetary trail. From there, the panorama stretches from the Jura to the Bernese Alps. The tower is located on a former Chutzen hilltop, where fire and smoke signals were used to relay important messages. Today, the Blueme viewpoint is an important junction for hiking trails. Two barbecue areas invite you to take a break outdoors. At Blueme, sweeping views, a historical connection and a place to rest are all available without needing to combine them into a longer tour.

Observatory, planetarium and weather-independent views

On clear nights, the SIRIUS observatory offers views of the Milky Way, planets and the Moon through a large telescope. Clear skies are essential for these observations. The planetarium offers a different experience: there is something to see under the dome in any weather and at any time of day. A modern Zeiss star projector projects realistic starry skies onto the dome. The SIRIUS Astronomy Centre uses modern technology to convey the wonders of space. Comparing weather-dependent sky observations with a presentation under the dome can help you take the difference into account when planning your day.

Winter hiking and the Dünzenegg Trail

The Schwanden-Heiligenschwendi winter hiking trail starts at Schwanden Säge and leads to the REHA clinic in Heiligenschwendi. It is about nine kilometres long, marked in pink and lies at an elevation of around 1,000 to 1,200 metres above sea level. Seasonal conditions can affect access, so check them before making plans. The elevation and trail length can help you choose a suitable time slot, without specifying a walking time for this route.

The Dünzenegg Trail also starts at the large Schwanden/Säge car park. It is 8.5 kilometres long, has 380 metres of elevation gain and is marked in pink; the trail is seasonal and depends on snow conditions. The two stated trail lengths are similar. For the Dünzenegg Trail, the elevation gain is also specified, while the winter hiking trail’s elevation range is given. These figures describe different aspects and can help you focus on the questions that matter for your plans.

Cross-country skiing and downhill skiing in winter

The Werenäbnit Schwanden cross-country ski trail offers routes of up to three kilometres for classic cross-country skiing and skating. This includes a 1.5-kilometre floodlit night trail. The start and finish are at the Schwanden ski lift car park. The trails are seasonal and depend on snow conditions. If you plan to go cross-country skiing, you can choose between the two techniques; the floodlit route adds a dedicated night trail to the offering.

The Sigriswil-Schwanden winter sports area has two T-bar lifts and one platter lift. The Schwanden ski lift is 1,400 metres long, and three varied slopes invite you to ski and snowboard. These activities are also seasonal. The ski lift can be reached by STI bus from Thun. Check the current timetable before travelling so you can plan your journey accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Oberhofen Am Thunersee, Hilterfingen, Thierachern, Heimberg, Goldiwil (Thun), Aeschlen Ob Gunten, Blumenstein, Wachseldorn.

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