«House Trails» – Themed hiking trails for history lovers
Handicraft – not purely ornamental...
The «House Trails» themed hiking trails in the Bernese Oberland will surprise you with their exciting history and living tradition. Admire the richly decorated façades, exquisite examples of the local building culture and highly skilled carpentry.
Delight in ornamentation and the need for decoration reached their peak in the 17th and 18th centuries. The façades of residential buildings facing the valley or the street became a show front, showcasing the social position of the owners and the artisanal skill of the master carpenters.
1. Simmental House Trail
Hike from Wimmis to Boltigen. Stroll between magnificent houses that convey interesting facts about the old carpenter’s art.
A tip for those who love tradition: Stop off at the Valley Museum near Erlenbach and immerse yourself in the everyday farming life of the Simmental in days gone by.
Hiking time: 8 hours. It is also possible to hike individual sections of the route. To do this, simply get off at one of the BLS railway stations, for example, in Oey-Diemtigen, Erlenbach or Oberwil.
2. Upper Simmental House Trail
Rounding off the summer for hiking history enthusiasts: The Upper Simmental House Trail. It connects directly to the Simmental “Hausweg” and leads from Boltigen to Lenk im Simmental. Discover impressive façade paintings and witnesses to historic architecture, for example the local history museum in Zweisimmen, built in 1647 and virtually in its original state.
Hiking time: 8 hours. It is also possible to hike individual sections of the route. To do this, simply get off at one of the BLS railway stations, for example, in Boltigen or Zweisimmen.
3. Diemtigtal House Trail
The oldest houses in Diemtigtal date from the 16th century. However, the landscape is dominated by buildings from the second half of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. Diemtigtal owes its magnificent building stock to the collaboration of wealthy farmers and skilled craftsmen, including renowned artisans, such as master carpenter Hans Messerli (1720–1806).
The three themed trails “Vorderes Tal”, “Mittleres Tal” and “Hinteres Tal” show you the most impressive houses and their stories. Hiking time per section: approx. three hours.
4. Reichenbach houses trail
Are you a fan of houses built in the Frutighaus style? The best way to find out is to take the Reichenbach houses trail. It is a circular route marked with white signposts from the Reichenbach railway station.
Hiking time: 4 hours, it is also possible to hike individual sections of the route.
