Trans Swiss Trail
Overview
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Distance 22 km
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Duration 5 h 30 min
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Ascent 400 m
Intro
The route follows the River Sense, then winds up to the heights with views of the Alpine peaks. Proud farmsteads in Mengestorf stand in contrast to the residential outskirts of Bern, where the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage.
Riverbank path Sense, northern side
Due to construction work (flood protection and revitalisation measures), the hiking trail is closed until the end of 2026. A diversion is signalled.
Description
Laupen is a "historic landmark": a legendary battle took place here in 1339, when the numerically inferior Bernese army, with support from the Waldstätten, drove out the Burgundian and Habsburg troops. The fact that Bern finally joined the Confederation a little later had a lot to do with the joint success. Instead of heading straight for Bern, you should take a quick look at the Läubli square. Ancient timber-framed houses nestle close to the sandstone cliffs as if in a picture book. The square is dominated by the Laupen castle which towers above on a sandstone ledge. And less than ten minutes in the other direction, the two rivers Saane and Sense unite.
Staying between the Sense and the railway tracks, you reach Neuenegg after about an hour; then Flamatt half an hour later. Along the Sense nature trail, you can refresh your knowledge at the information boards. Pre-alpine rivers like the Sense are known for their changing water levels. At low water, the water flow is sometimes only 2-3 m3 per second. At high water, on the other hand, up to 500 m3 come thundering down.
While the railway tracks change to the other bank, the hiking trail remains alongside the Sense for another hour. At Sensenmatt, you leave the course of the river and follow the Scherlibach stream. Then you have to tackle a short ascent to the Mängistorfberg. With a bit of luck, you can see the alpine peaks from here. A short descent, and you find yourself in the agglomeration of Bern. Past residential neighbourhoods, the trail follows the edge of the Chünziberg forest to Liebefeld and the Fischermätteli near Bern Bümpliz. The hike ends in the capital of Switzerland. Bern's old town is a UNESCO world heritage site and features 6 kilometres of arcades, the so-called Lauben, one of the longest weather-protected shopping promenades in Europe.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Laupen
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|---|---|
| Direction |
One way
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| Ascent |
400 m
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| Descent |
360 m
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| Distance |
22 km
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| Duration |
5 h 30 min
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| Duration back |
5 h 30 min
|
| Technical requirements |
Easy
|
| Physical requirements |
Difficult
|
| Season |
All year
|
| More information | https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/wanderland/etappe2.... |
Quick Facts
Route number
