A 340-metre-long bridge over the Gummischlucht Gorge, hiking trails with views of Lake Thun and a church with a painted wooden ceiling: Sigriswil offers plenty of reasons to explore. When looking for a hotel in Sigriswil, you could first consider whether you mainly want to go hiking, enjoy the views, discover local culture or plan around seasonal activities. The places and activities below offer some specific ideas.
Hiking between the Gummischlucht Gorge and Lake Thun
The municipality of Sigriswil has 114 km of hiking trails and 40 km of mountain hiking trails. One short hike described in detail leads through the deep Aeschlen–Sigriswil Gummischlucht Gorge, following the Guntenbach stream. It takes about 45 minutes and has an elevation gain of 120 metres. This duration is a guide, as trail conditions may vary. In the rugged natural landscape, information points provide details about birds, Nagelfluh conglomerate, gorge woodland and botanical features. The route therefore combines a clearly defined time commitment with insights into various aspects of the gorge.
The hike starts opposite Sigriswil Church or at the Hotel Panorama Aeschlen. The STI bus stops at Sigriswil Dorf and Aeschlen Dorf provide public transport connections to the trail. Check the local trail signs before setting out.
Panoramic suspension bridge and planet trail
The Sigriswil Panoramic Bridge spans the Gummischlucht Gorge, connecting the villages of Sigriswil and Aeschlen. It is 340 m long and 180 m above the ground. From the bridge, you can see the Bernese Oberland mountains and Lake Thun, as well as the Gummischlucht Gorge, 182 m below. The bridge is an attraction along the Lake Thun Panorama Circular Trail.
The SIRIUS Planet Trail offers panoramic views from Lake Thun across the Bernese Mittelland to the Jura. It follows good hiking trails to the Blueme observation tower and a barbecue area. The tower is just a few steps from the planet trail, and there are two large barbecue areas nearby. From Blueme, the view stretches across Lake Thun to the Bernese Alps, the Emmental and towards the Jura. The SIRIUS Observatory and Planetarium offers shows in all weather and at any time of day. Located above Lake Thun, the facility is wheelchair-accessible and has one of the largest telescopes in Switzerland.
Justistal: wildlife watching and alpine cheese
The 7.5 km-long Justistal can be explored on foot along the Grönbach stream, passing alpine farms; along the way, there are views of the Sigriswilgrat and Güggisgrat ridges. From early September to early October, you can watch the red deer rut here, accompanied by a local wildlife expert. This seasonal wildlife-watching experience depends on animal activity and local arrangements.
Another September event is the traditional Justistal Chästeilet, which has been held in this month every year since 1739. Swiss alpine cheese, made during the summer grazing season from the milk of 250 cows, is divided according to a set ritual. On the seasonal alpine cheese tour, the hike leads to an alpine hut where cheese is made. There, you can ask questions about the cheesemaking process and enjoy breakfast prepared by the herdsman. Check the booking arrangements before making plans.
Winter trails and ski lifts
In the Justistal, a marked winter hiking trail is groomed from Grön along the cross-country ski trail to the Hindersberg alpine hut. It is about 8 km long and lies at an altitude of 1,200 to 1,400 m. As grooming conditions can change with the season, check the latest trail conditions before setting out.
The two ski lifts also differ in their specifications: the Sigriswil/Wilerallmi facility is 1,200 m long and has three runs, with both easy and challenging options. The Schwanden ski lift is 1,400 m long and has three varied runs for beginners and advanced skiers. Both facilities are described as suitable for skiing and snowboarding.
Church, architectural heritage and more to discover
The Reformed Church of Sigriswil, formerly St. Gallus, was built in 1678–79 to plans by Abraham I Dünz, partly incorporating an earlier building dating from the 10th or 12th century. The interior features a painted wooden ceiling and wall paintings from various periods. Cultural heritage tours take you through the municipality’s architectural heritage, including old barns, hotels and villas. The Adolf-Schaer granary dates from the 18th century and was renovated in 1994.
At GrabenmĂĽhle Sigriswil, you can fish without a permit and pan for gold. The nature park is home to alpacas, deer, mouflons and other animals. The garden bistro serves fresh fish and regional specialties. Nearby, in Gunten, Route B of the Bernese Oberland Trail, a variant of the Swiss Way of St. James, continues towards Thun. A nature-oriented singletrack trail of over 2 km leads from Schwendiblueme towards Heiligenschwendi.
Discover more destinations: Merligen, Gunten, Uetendorf, Blumenstein, Heiligenschwendi, Forst bei Längenbühl, Thun, Unterlangenegg.
Back to the main travel overview: Thun.
