Rüegsbach brings together ecclesiastical architectural history, a mill with a long tradition and trails through the rolling hills of the Emmental. These features offer different perspectives: the church takes you back through local history, the mill has produced flour since 1840, and the hiking and e-bike routes have distinct trail profiles. This makes it possible to explore the area through its history and by travelling through the landscape.
A Church and Bells with a History
The small Reformed church was built in the 15th century as a chapel affiliated with Rüegsau Convent. Its rectangular nave features a Baroque canopy and an elegant roof turret. Inside, there is a late Gothic plank ceiling with carved friezes dating from around 1500. Stained-glass windows by Leo Steck, created in 1935, complete the church interior. The building reveals several distinct periods: its origins in the late Middle Ages, the Baroque canopy and the 20th-century window art.
The bells of St. Blasius Chapel in the district of Rüegsbach date from the 12th and 13th centuries and are among the oldest in Switzerland. They add another dimension to the area’s cultural history.
Kleeb Mill: Flour Production and Visitor Course
Flour has been produced at Kleeb Mill since 1840. A visitor course announced for 30 April 2026 offered insights into the milling process, from grain delivery to the finished product for sale. The programme also included fresh bread to taste and flour available to buy in the factory shop. If you would like to learn about the process or enjoy the tasting, ask about further dates and check current participation options.
Hiking and E-Bike Routes
The hiking loops described from Rüegsbach Dorf follow the official hiking trail network. They are mostly wide and well maintained; before setting off, it is advisable to check the current trail conditions and any closures.
An e-bike circular route leads from Burgdorf to the historic Kleeb Mill, its main destination in Rüegsbach, and through the rolling hills of the Emmental. From Rüegsbach, the return route follows the Emme to Burgdorf along flat terrain. The route sections therefore have distinctly different profiles: the journey to the mill passes through the hills, while the described return ride follows the river on flat terrain.
Rüegsbach and the Emme
The Rüegsbach is a stream in the Emmental region of the Canton of Bern, around nine kilometres long, and a left-bank tributary of the Emme. It rises in Affoltern im Emmental at around 766 m above sea level and flows into the Emme in the Wintersei area at 561 m above sea level. Rüegsbach is also the name of the village, which belongs to the municipality of Rüegsau. Following the Rüegsbach from the Emme, the villages within the municipality are Rüegsauschachen, Rüegsau, Rüegsbach and Rinderbach; the municipality also includes several hamlets.
Near Rüegsau, a covered timber arch bridge built in 1839 crosses the Emme between the municipalities of Hasle and Rüegsau. A small museum about its history is located right by the river. The bridge and museum add further points of interest along the Emme to the area’s architectural and local history.
An Option for Horse-Riding Enthusiasts
An offer from 2024 for Alexandra Rentsch’s pony farm in Rüegsbach listed riding lessons for children and guided rides. If you are planning either activity, confirm current availability before booking.
Discover more destinations: Walterswil, Lützelflüh, Trachselwald, Dürrenroth, Eriswil, Huttwil, Wyssachen, Sumiswald.
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