Grass frogs in the Bergmoos pond and the Ledeubach, deeply incised into sandstone, showcase two of Schmitten’s natural features. The municipality is in the Sense District of the Canton of Fribourg, around 9 kilometres northeast of Fribourg. Gently rolling terrain with meadows, fields and smaller areas of woodland shapes the wider landscape. There are also hiking trails and buildings whose history dates back to the Middle Ages.
Moors, Stream and Rolling Hills
The Bergmoos pond (FR575) is an amphibian spawning site of cantonal importance and is home to grass frogs. Franislismoos is a fen of national importance. The two places represent different aspects of nature: at Bergmoos, its importance as a spawning site is linked to a specific species, while Franislismoos is defined by its type of moor and its national significance.
The landscape of meadows, fields and smaller areas of woodland is also part of Schmitten’s gently rolling character. It is well suited to walks and cycling. Those wishing to explore the area on foot can compare this open landscape with the wetlands and stream in the Zirkelsgraben: the natural features here range from moors to a gorge carved into sandstone.
Hike through the Zirkelsgraben
A hike from Schmitten first leads over the Zirkelshubel to Mühletal, then through the Zirkelsgraben to Ledeu. This sequence gives the route a clear direction through several named places. In the Zirkelsgraben, a newly built hiking trail follows the Ledeubach through an idyllic gorge. Over time, the stream has cut ever deeper into the sandstone; the stream, the rock and the gorge give this section its distinctive landscape character.
If you plan to take this route, check local trail conditions before setting out, as they may change. A small chapel stands on the summit of the Zirkelshubel above Mühletal. In Mühletal, an old mill, a historic restaurant and several other buildings form a charming ensemble. The hike thus brings together landscapes and individual buildings, without requiring the natural and cultural sights to offer the same kind of experience.
Churches and Chapels in Schmitten
The Parish Church of the Finding of the Cross is a columned basilica in the Lombard Romanesque style. Its exterior was modelled on the medieval Church of San Zeno Maggiore in Verona. Before the present church, dedicated to Saint Joseph, there was a medieval chapel dedicated to Saint Othmar, a new building dating from 1412 and a larger chapel consecrated in 1754. The present church was built at the end of the 19th century and solemnly inaugurated on 8 November 1898. Its architecture and building history offer two distinct ways to approach the church: through its exterior design and the long succession of religious buildings that preceded it.
The chapels also have their own art-historical significance. The Lourdes Chapel in Berg is among Schmitten’s protected immovable cultural assets. The Berg Chapel has a Lourdes grotto in its choir; its stained-glass windows were created by Jean de Castella. The Berg Chapel is wheelchair accessible. If you have specific access requirements, check the conditions on site before your visit. A rosary prayer is listed for the Berg Chapel; please check the current schedule before your visit.
The stained-glass windows in Mühletal Chapel were designed by Yvonne Chapallaz from Charmoille. They depict four mysteries from the life of the Virgin Mary. Together with the small chapel on the Zirkelshubel and the buildings in Mühletal, they offer another perspective on Schmitten’s sacred buildings: from the parish church with its long history to the artistic details in the chapels.
Plan Your Journey and Stay
Schmitten has a railway station. Regional bus routes complement the public transport network, and there are connections from the station to Fribourg, Bern and Zurich. If you plan to travel by bus or train, check the timetables for your travel dates. This lets you take the sights and connections mentioned here into account when planning your stay, without assuming a particular service frequency.
The area’s attractions offer different ways to shape a visit: moors and streams alongside hiking, church architecture and local history. The parish church tells the story of several building phases, while the stream and sandstone shape the landscape along the trail through the Zirkelsgraben. Schmitten can therefore be explored according to your interests, whether in nature, hiking or sacred architecture.
Discover more destinations: Wünnewil-Flamatt, Schwarzsee, St. Ursen, Tafers, Plaffeien, Plasselb, Oberschrot, Saint Antoni
Go to the main travel overview: Sense.
