Chemin de la Sarine fribourgeoise
Overview
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Distance 21 km
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Duration 5 h 50 min
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Ascent 560 m
Intro
The Schiffenensee reservoir marks the midway point of this stage, which you will follow until you reach the dam where it stops. From Fribourg onwards, the route leads through the lower town to the imposing Grandfey Viaduct. The trail then winds along the riverbank through alternating patches of woodland and meadows – a thrilling walk spanning urban cultural heritage, rocky landscapes and unspoilt nature.
Description
The second stage starts with a walk through the lower town of Fribourg with its bridges and medieval facades. In this area, the river Saane has given rise to a unique urban landscape where history, architecture and industry are fused together. Once you are through the craft districts, the trail climbs into the hills and beyond to the spectacular Grandfey Viaduct, one of the biggest bridges in Switzerland. This crossing over the river Saane marks the border between German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland. In other words, this puts you directly on the language border known as the “Röstigraben”. The iconic structure by the railway line from Bern to Fribourg offers glorious views over the Schiffenensee reservoir, which you will be walking beside in the next section of the hike. Schiffenensee was completed in 1963, making it one of Switzerland’s newest reservoirs.
Beyond the bridge, the city vanishes and nature takes back the upper hand. The hilly trail winds its way through alternating patches of woodland and open meadows. In close proximity to the route, the caverns of Magdalena Hermitage pay testament to those who lived in this rockface long ago. The 120-metre-long grotto was carved by hand into the rock by two hermits around 1700. The hermitage is open to visitors from April to September.
Along the Schiffenensee reservoir, the route boasts beautiful views and multiple spots to stop for a break. The narrow, fjord-like body of water is home to various different kinds of fish, including bass, pike, perch and zander. The biodiverse ecosystems along the shore of the reservoir provide a habitat for a wide range of birds and other aquatic organisms.
Passing by the former spa town of Bad Bonn – nowadays widely known for the Bad Bonn Kilbi music festival – your gaze will be drawn up to the Grand-Vivy and Petit-Vivy castles. The hike comes to an end at the campsite at Schiffenen harbour with its bathing beach. This is also the site of the dam wall. In summer, you can take the electric, solar-powered boat back to Fribourg (Neigles), if you like, and witness the riverscape from a different vantage point.
The majority of this route also overlaps with the Path of Senses and Sounds (“Sinn- und Klangweg”). This themed trail features various places to stop and experience sound objects.
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 |
Fribourg
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Düdingen, Staumauer/Camping
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| Ascent |
560 m
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| Descent |
660 m
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| Distance |
21 km
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| Duration |
5 h 50 min
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| Technical requirements |
Easy
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| Physical requirements |
Difficult
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| More information | https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/r... |
Quick Facts
Route number
