Alter Bernerweg

What do the years 1315, 1386 and 1339 have in common? Three great battles of the Old Swiss Confederacy: Morgarten, Sempach and Laupen, where this tour sets off. The local landmark is the castle with its magnificent fortifications, dating back to the 12th century. Visible for miles around, it towers over the picturesque little town. Laupen is also where the rivers Sense and Saane converge.

At the Bramberg monument, you will be greeted by open fields, the Emmental’s characteristic undulating hills and one scenic viewpoint after another. Make sure to enjoy the gorgeous stretch of woodland at Sürihubel while you can: soon you will be arriving at the “wild west” of Bern. The landscape becomes more urban and industrial. The stage leads through the Länggasse neighbourhood. Bierhübeli and Innere Enge, two of Bern’s cult restaurants, make for good places to stop along the way.

Nestled in a meander of the river Aare, the Engehalbinsel peninsula is like a relic of times long since past. You can explore the remains of a Roman bathhouse and amphitheatre a few hundred metres away in the Rychebachwald woods. It’s also interesting to note that the Zollikofen Landscape Route (Landschaftsweg Zollikofen) overlaps with this tour for a certain distance. Information boards along the way provide insights into the coexistence of humans and nature. And if you’re in the mood for some retail therapy, stop by Shoppyland Schönbühl, the region’s biggest shopping centre. Just opposite is the idyllic Moossee lake – and what a striking contrast! Just cross over the motorway and take a dip – you will often be greeted by balmy bliss.

There’s more bliss to come in the final section: open fields and farmland, handsome farmhouses, horses, cows, sheep, llamas, as well as fields of oil seed rape, blossoming pear trees and yellow dandelions sprouting up from the soil. In 1954, the fabulous Jegenstorf Castle was visited by Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia and messiah figure of the Rastafarian religion. A yellow-tiled bathroom that was intended to win the Emperor’s favour is now one of the curiosities of the castle, which dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries. It isn’t entirely certain whether he actually used the bathroom. But one thing is clear: this castle is worth a brief detour.

You will pass through the farming villages of Zauggenried and Kernenried with views of the Jura chain. Shortly before reaching Kirchberg, your destination for this stage, you will pass the Rüdtligen-Alchenflüh motorway covering where glorious chaos reigns. A motorway, trainline, solar panels and a fountain system, playground apparatus, barbecue areas, a skate park and and cycling circuit all beckon to be visited.