Surrounded by the towering Alps, scenic valleys, and glistening rivers, Switzerland’s capital of Bern offers wonderful opportunities for hiking. Well-marked trails allow you to easily access Bern’s beautiful mountain landscapes and soak up the idyllic charm of Swiss rural villages. From short walks close to the city to challenging mountain hikes, hiking around Bern is a great way to get exercise and fresh air while experiencing the region’s natural splendor.
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Top Hiking Regions Around Bern
Some of the best areas for hiking include:
- Bernese Oberland РThe iconic mountain region south of Bern, home to peaks like Eiger, M̦nch, and Jungfrau, offers tremendous alpine.
- Emmental – Rolling green hills, farms, and traditional villages create charming hikes around Bern in this region northeast of the city.
- Berner Jura – Pack your binoculars for spotting wildlife through wooded hills and limestone cliffs in this northwest region.
- Entlebuch Biosphere – Trails through quiet valleys, moors, and karst landscapes offer great diversity in this southwest region.
With quick access via public transportation from Bern’s center, you can easily admire Alpine views while hiking around Bern.
Top Day Hikes Close to Bern
Some top day hike recommendations include:
- Schynige Platte to First – Ride the cog railway up then hike through meadows and forests to reach this mountain hotel at 2,000m.
- Niederhorn-Beatenberg Panorama Trail – Climb 1,400m through meadows filled with wildflowers to constant stunning views hiking around Bern.
- Gurten – Bern’s “house mountain” offers an easy hike up to Gurten’s 860m summit with panoramas over Bern, lakes, and the Alps.
- Gantrisch Natural Park – Varied trails like Balmflue lead hikers around Bern through meadows and mountain scenery typical of the region.
- Moossee – Reach this idyllic turquoise-colored lake after a 6 km hike through the dense Bernese Jura forests.
With endless options minutes from town, Bern makes getting outdoors for hiking easily accessible.
Scenery While Hiking Around Bern
The mountains, valleys, rivers, villages, and forests surrounding Bern provide beautiful and varied scenery. Some highlights include:
- Panoramic Alpine views of famous peaks like Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau from overlooks accessible on day hikes.
- Rushing waterfalls like Giessbach Falls plunge down sheer rock faces as trails climb through valleys around Bern.
- Vibrant wildflower meadows blooming with edelweiss, gentians, and yellow alpine poppies.
- Quaint Swiss villages with traditional wood chalets and flower boxes dotting trails around Bern.
- Shimmering lakes including Oeschinensee and Moossee surrounded by pine forests make serene hiking destinations around Bern.
The diversity of landscapes around Bern makes hiking around Bern ever-interesting.
When to Go
Bern’s location in the Alps means the best hiking season is from June to September:
- July and August tend to be the warmest, driest months, though also the most crowded on trails around Bern.
- June and September still offer mild weather for hiking before colder fall weather sets in.
- Spring hiking around Bern may be obstructed by lingering snow at higher elevations.
- Early fall brings beautiful foliage colors starting mid-September on trails around Bern.
- Winter allows snowshoeing adventures, though daylight is limited for hiking at this latitude.
With Alpine summers being mild and dry, it’s an optimal time to be hiking around Bern.
Gear Tips
Variable mountain weather while hiking around Bern means packing appropriate gear:
- Sturdy hiking boots with good traction and ankle support for uneven, rocky trails.
- Layers like moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, and waterproof shells to adapt to changing temps.
- Windproof jacket and pants to block strong winds common in the peaks around Bern.
- Sunglasses, sun hat, and sunscreen – UV exposure increases in the mountains around Bern.
- Hiking poles for stability on steep sections of alpine trails around Bern.
- Headlamp during shoulder season when daylight hours rapidly decrease.
- First aid supplies and whistles for safety.
An Alpine Playground Around Bern
With the breathtaking Bernese Oberland on its doorstep, countless trails lead to majestic vistas, charming villages, and scenic valleys perfect for hiking. The extensive trail network around this capital city makes enjoying Switzerland’s splendid mountain landscapes extremely accessible. Just a short train or bus ride from downtown, you can be immersed in the peace of nature while hiking around Bern. Whether walking, climbing, or snowshoeing, the Bernese Alps offer a scenic outdoor escape right around Bern.
Related Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiking
