ViaBerna

You descend through the Chatzestyg forest and reach a beautiful bathing area at the Wohlensee lake. Along field paths, crossing the hamlet of Wohlei, you arrive at the Wohlei bridge which was built in 1920. In summer, the restaurant under the arch of the bridge is a popular meeting place for water sports enthusiasts and excursionists. The Wohlensee is located in a gorge carved into the molasse bedrock by the Aare. It is therefore narrow and long with a low current speed. The sedimentation of the lake is progressing rapidly below the Halen bridge. The lake is an important wintering area for numerous water birds.

For the next part of the stage through Hinterkappelen, the route follows neighbourhood roads. At Kappelenring, you can rejoin the pleasant waterside path. Between the interesting Schlossmatte district and the Halen bridge, you have to follow the road again, because the swampy banks make it impossible to get through. High above the trail, the mighty Halen bridge crosses the course of the Aare. Soon you reach the time-honoured wooden Neubrügg bridge, built in 1534, which was an important Aare crossing until the construction of the new bridge now towering high above. The sewage treatment plant, which treats the wastewater of Bern and the surrounding area, is located in the same river loop.

There is one last loop of the Aare to hike around before climbing up at the Felsenau power station. Passing under the impressive motorway viaduct, crossing the road and the railway track, you descend once again to the Aare at the Lorraine weir. This saves you a long walk along the Aare loops that reach out to the north. The riverside path follows the course of the river upwards. Opposite: the iconic Lorraine bathing facilities, where people can enjoy a pool fed by the Aare water and the sunbathing lawns. In summer, this river section is also a popular swimming stretch. On the way into the city, the high railway and road bridges cross the Aare overhead. Particularly worth seeing: the iron Kornhaus bridge and the Altenbergsteg below it. As a relic of Bern's old city fortifications, you pass the Blood Tower directly on the bank. Over the brick arches of the Untertor bridge, the stage finally ends at the bear park.