Walterswil, a municipality in the Canton of Bern, can be explored through two distinct themes: its church, with its architectural and local history, and hiking routes with specific route details. For outdoor activities, there is also the ski lift, which operates depending on snow and weather conditions. The BĂĽrgerbus connection may also play a role in your journey.
Church and Local History
Walterswil Church stands on a narrow terrace on the hillside above the village. Under the direction of Samuel Lutz, it was built in 1744/45 as a small, simple hall church. The choir has a three-sided end, and the roof turret is hexagonal. These features describe both the basic form of the church building and its uppermost section.
The interior features stained glass by Emil Gerster dating from 1928 to 1930 and by Paul Zehnder from 1931. There is also a five-part Empire-style organ by Johann Jakob Weber from Juchten. The furnishings thus bring together works from two periods of creation that were close in time, as well as a specifically named instrument and its maker.
In the Canton of Bern’s KGS inventory, the Reformed Church of Walterswil is listed under number 01331, as of January 1, 2026.
Walterswil was first mentioned in an official document in 1139. The boundary between the Trachselwald bailiwick and the County of Wangen ran right through the village. In 1889, Walterswil purchased the land in the Gassen area that extended from the municipality of Ursenbach between its two parts. This reunited the municipality.
The terms “upper municipality” and “lower municipality” have remained in use to this day. Locally, the expression “Walterswiler-Röschtigraben” is also used for this distinction. The various names keep a local distinction alive in everyday language and give the village’s history a linguistic dimension that remains recognizable today.
Hiking and Seasonal Activities
In Walterswil and the surrounding area, hiking options range from easy walks to more challenging tours. The “Wald & Weitsicht” route runs from the center of Ursenbach to Walterswil and back. It is 9.1 kilometers long, with an ascent and descent of 226 meters each.
The hike “Past Proud Farmsteads through the Southern Oberaargau” passes through the southern Oberaargau. It is rated moderate, covers 14.4 kilometers and is listed as taking 4 hours and 10 minutes. Compared with “Wald & Weitsicht,” this route is 5.3 kilometers longer. The two tours therefore differ both in their stated lengths and in the available planning details for elevation gain, difficulty and duration.
The Walterswil ski lift is prepared and opened each year when snow and weather conditions permit. If you want to plan your stay around the lift, check its current operating status before setting out. This keeps the weather-dependent condition in mind as you plan.
Events and Travel
The Sichlete organized by the Walterswil traditional costume group is scheduled for October 18, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Walterswil multipurpose building. If this event is important to your trip, check the event details again before setting out.
The BĂĽrgerbus connects Oeschenbach, Ursenbach and Walterswil from Monday to Friday. Its stop in Kleindietwil also provides a public transport connection to Kleindietwil railway station. The BĂĽrgerbus is free for passengers. Before traveling, check the timetable and current fare so you can plan the connection for your travel day.
Discover more destinations: RĂĽegsbach, Huttwil, Eriswil, LĂĽtzelflĂĽh, Trachselwald, DĂĽrrenroth, Wyssachen, Sumiswald
Back to the higher-level travel overview: Trachselwald.
