With narrow cobbled streets, rustic markets, and extraordinary geography molded by the gently looping River Aare running through its center and surrounding hills, it can be hard to comprehend that the seemingly quaint city of Bern is actually the capital of Switzerland.

Once home to Einstein and with, UNESCO listed Old Town, the city celebrates its attractions such as the old Bear Park, which is home to four real bears, and the beautiful sandstone architecture of the cathedral, House of Parliament, and clock tower.

Thanks to its location, Bern (also Berne) is a popular destination for outdoor hikers and walkers, who use it as a base to explore the extraordinary nearby landscapes.

Hikers can take advantage of some wonderful walking routes in the surrounding area, including the mountainous Bernese Oberland (Bernese Highlands), the rolling hills of the Emmental region (famous for cheese as well as beautiful scenery), and the Gantrisch mountain region (with views extending from the Alps to the Jura mountains and on to the Black Forest), all of which are easily reachable by public transport or car from the city.

Here is a selection of mixed-level walking routes in and around Bern, for those looking to experience the majesty of the exceptional Swiss countryside from the base of this delightful city:

Shorter Hiking Routes

Walk along the Aare

For an easy and pleasant hike, a walk along the banks of the Rive Aare is a wonderful way to gently explore the region. Start at Aarwangen, about 50km northeast of Bern, and make your way eastwards along the river to Murgenthal. Along the way, you should be able to spot the Aarwangen Castle and enjoy beautiful forest surroundings.

Waldhaus to Seldern

This peaceful hike follows the river through beautiful valleys, with river crossings and shady pine trees to keep you cool on a warm summer walk. Start at the Berghotel Waldhaus, following the broad path up the valley signed to Selden and the Balmhornhütte, continuing along the track until you reach a bridge over the River Kalder. Turn right after the bridge and follow the path back over the river, through the forest. After a zig-zag climb, you will continue to the finish point at Hotel Gasternal in Selden.

Medium Hiking Routes

This is an easy and mostly flat walk starting at Lauterbrunnen railway station, about 65km south-east of Bern, hiking to the ‘Hotel Stechelberg’ Postbus stop in Stechelberg. This area, as the name suggests, is home to a myriad waterfall, and you’ll be sure to pass a few impressive examples along this route, including Schmadrifällen and Trümmelbach waterfalls, the latter of which you can view from inside the mountain for a small fee.

Ridge Walk

This walk takes hikers through the Napf region of Emmental, an area famous for its cheese and wonderful landscapes. A good start for this hike is Lüderenalp, around 45km East of Bern, from where you can walk west along the ridge through scenic fields, forests, and meadows with wonderful panoramic views of this beautiful region. There are a few well-marked routes to take, which will end up in either Romoos, Luthernbad, or Mettlenalp.

Last modified: February 26, 2021