Obersimmental House Trail
Skilled carpentry and facade paintings of the highest order
Along the Simmental House Trails, many of the Simmental houses express the great wealth that the breeding and export of the world-famous Simmental cattle brought to the sunny mountain valley. The ornate and decorative facade paintings impressively show the craftsmanship of the master builders at that time as well as the social status of the owners.
The train takes you directly to Boltigen every hour from Bern. From there, the House Trail is marked with brown signs.
Route description
The House Trail is partly on asphalt roads with little traffic and partly on nature trails. Good footwear is recommended. From Boltigen train station, the paths are marked with brown signs. These provide information about the age, architecture and special features of historically important houses. Depending on your stamina, enthusiasm and the time of year, the Obersimmental House Trails can be hiked in their entirety or in sections.
Key information
| Start | Boltigen train station |
| End | Lenk im Simmental train station |
| Distance | approx. 20.7 km |
| Duration of sections | Boltigen–Beret–Zweisimmen: 4 hours Zweisimmen–St. Stephan–Lenk: 4 hours Lenk–Oberried–Lenk: 2 hours Lenk–Gutsch–Lenk: 2 hours |
| Level of difficulty | difficult |
- 3.29 MB Obersimmental House Trail brochure in German
Availability
Obersimmental House Trail
The Obersimmental House Trail is accessible daily from May to October.
Local History Museum
The “Heimathuus” Museum in Zweisimmen is open at the following times from May to October:
Wed/Sat/Sun 14.00–17.00 hours
Guided tours from six or more people on request
Subject to change without prior notice
Rates
Obersimmental House Trail
Visitors can follow the Obersimmental House Trail free of charge.
“Heimathuus”
- CHF 5.00 Adults
- free of charge Children up to 15.99 years
Prices in CHF incl. VAT / Prices and products subject to alteration
BLS suggestion
Zweisimmen Local History Museum
Would you like to see the inside of a typical Simmental house? In the "Heimathuus" in Zweisimmen you will gain exciting insights. The local history museum summarises the history of the Obersimmental. The building dates back to 1647 and has been preserved almost in its original state.
Opening times
From May to October Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 14.00 to 17.00 hours
Groups of 6 or more by appointment.
Admission
Adults pay CHF 5.00 for admission; children visit the museum for free.
Healing plant garden
The Simmental healing plant garden in Adlemsried (municipality of Boltigen) is home to more than 70 medicinal plants.
Opening times
Mid-June to end of September
Wednesdays from 09.00 to 17.00 hours
Admission free.
