ViaBerna

Time and again, the hike over the mountain range from Magglingen to Evilard offers wonderful views of lake Biel, the Mittelland and the alps. After Evilard, the easy footpath turns into a steep and stony trail descending through the forest towards the Taubenloch gorge. The idyllic restaurant "Des Gorges" is located near the start of the gorge trail. Now you first follow an elevated channel where the Schüss ripples along quietly. Then, as the gorge becomes narrower, the river gets wilder. The water is used several times by small power plants all the way down to the outlet at Bözingen.

At the beginning, the hiking trail through the gorge is still fairly wide. Information boards provide details about nature and water use. Picnic areas with fireplaces invite you to linger. Gradually, the gorge narrows, and it is only thanks to the artfully laid out, well-maintained path that one can think of moving on. The path continues through tunnels and over footbridges. Deep down, the thundering Schüss, which has cut deep into the Jura limestone, is visible from time to time. Higher up, the imposing bridges of the national and cantonal roads and the railway track loom overhead. Even in midsummer, only a few rays of sunlight reach all the way down into the gorge.

Later, you suddenly enter into urban Bözingen through a gateway to civilisation. A hiking and cycling path first leads along the Schüss through a partially redesigned riverside and recreational landscape in the direction of Biel. Passing the striking building of the Swatch headquarters and continuing along the Schüss through the town, you reach the spacious lakeside facilities on lake Biel. The train station is close by.