ViaBerna

At the old mill, the path leaves the village and follows the course of the stream. Steep rock walls enclose the valley flanks and basin. The narrow path climbs out of the valley through the forest to Alp Schlipfwengen. Now the plain between the lakes of Thun and Brienz and the latter are visible. Above the alpine meadows, a trail cut into rock slabs and secured with wire ropes leads to the next level. The karst landscape of Alp Baellen is home not only to cows but also to pigs, which consume the whey produced during cheese-making. The alpine dairy has a considerable amount of cheese in storage.

The path now winds through weathered and rain-beaten limestone rocks. A final climb leads to the edge of the Tschingel rock basin which has to be crossed on a narrow path to Schärihubel. Steeply sloping, with a few fences as barriers, the path weaves its way through this key section of the stage. Now the panorama opens up to the south and east: the Lobhorn rocks and the Oberland triumvirate of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau come into view. It is worthwhile to stop at the convivial Lobhorn hut before the long descent. You first follow the stream and then a stony path through the wild mountain forest down to Sulwald.

There is a small restaurant at the top station of the cable car from Sulwald to Isenfluh, which could be used as a shortcut. After Sulwald, the trail turns northwards and then over pastures down to the edge of the rock face of the Lauterbrunnen valley. The course of the next stage can already be seen from here: a steep descent to Zweilütschinen and on to Schynige Platte. At the end of the current stage, there is another steep descent through the forest to Isenfluh. The small village situated on a terrace with its inn and other accommodation is a perfect stage stop.