Discover Plasselb through its village history, trails near the village and hikes towards the Schwyberg. The difference between a village walk and a longer mountain hike can help you plan your stay around the time you have available.
Village History, Church and Grotto
Plasselb has been mentioned in historical records since the 13th century; in 1339, the settlement was explicitly described as a village. At its centre stands the Catholic church, built in 1814 and dedicated to Saint Martin. Its present appearance is Baroque. At the same time, parts of the medieval masonry may have survived in the choir and nave—a tentative clue to the building’s earlier history.
Another cultural site is the Grotto of Plasselb, a sacred place in nature. Volunteers established an oratory there in 1995, which was blessed in 1997. The figures of the Virgin Mary and Saint Bernadette, as well as the large wooden cross, were made by local sculptor and woodcarver Ernest Ruffieux. Every year on 24 December, the Plasselb theatre company stages the Nativity scene at the grotto with live animals.
The Pont du Höllbach also links local history and landscape: built in 1939, it is considered, together with the forest house, a historic symbol of the reforestation of the Plasselbschlund. After it was destroyed by an arsonist, the bridge was rebuilt in 2013. From 1941 onwards, the forest house served as a base for forestry workers.
The Ärgera, Floodplain and Walks Near the Village
A floodplain along the Gérine near Plasselb is used for barbecuing, walking and swimming. A floodplain area extending as far as Marly is also listed in the Federal Inventory of Floodplains of National Importance. The riverbank and floodplain landscape offer a different perspective on a stay here from the historic buildings and high-altitude trails.
The Plasselb Tourist Association maintains several walks close to the village. With the exception of the Neuhaus walk, they are marked with white signposts and coloured dots. The Flue–Ärgera walk follows the edge of the village; a short detour takes you to the grotto. The Militärwääg initially follows the dam path along the Ärgera before climbing along a forest trail. You can end this loop with a Kneipp bath in the Ärgera.
Other walks offer their own highlights: the trail to the Old Reservoir climbs through the shade of the forest; from there, the view reaches as far as the Jura, and there is a viewpoint for watching the sunset. The Neuhaus walk passes through Guglera to the hamlet of Neuhaus and offers views of the peaks in the Gantrisch area. These routes offer a choice of different landscape experiences without all following the same course.
Hikes for Different Timeframes
The Plasselb–Muschenegg–Ärgera hike passes through woodland and pastures to a viewpoint above Gross Schwand. From there, you can see Plasselb and the Guggershörnli. The hike is listed as 450 metres of elevation gain and three hours long. This gives you a clear point of comparison with the longer hike from Plasselb to the Schwyberg.
The Schwyberg hike is listed as 850 metres of elevation gain and four hours and 40 minutes long. It follows a forest trail to the Taafela, continues via Lehmas Bärgli to Gross Schwyberg, then descends along the west side of the Schwyberg and a forest trail back to Plasselb. The Taafela is a contemplative place with a statue of the Virgin Mary. Along the way, forest trails, pastures and viewpoints alternate. The views extend, among other places, to the Ärgera and the Sense, the peaks around Schwarzsee, the snow-capped Bernese peaks, Lake Murten, Lake Neuchâtel and the Jura. The stated duration and elevation gain make it easy to plan the difference between these two hikes.
The Schwarzsee High Trail offers a wider regional route. It passes through Jaun, Charmey, Cerniat, Plasselb and Plaffeien, has several options for descending and is suitable as a day hike. It differs from the hikes described above, which start and finish in Plasselb.
Group Accommodation and Seasonal Landscape Context
The Hölli forest house is set in the Hölli area, surrounded by nature, and is now used as a group house. If you are considering this accommodation for your trip, check availability before booking.
The La Berra wildlife sanctuary is also part of the regional landscape and extends towards Plasselbschlund. It is intended to limit disturbance in winter and spring, when wildlife particularly needs peace and quiet. This seasonal purpose adds a perspective on how the natural environment is managed to the impressions of floodplain, forest and high-altitude trails.
More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Ueberstorf, Plaffeien, St. Ursen, Düdingen, Oberschrot, Wünnewil-Flamatt, Tafers, Schmitten.
Go to the main travel overview: Sense.
