«Meh wüsse als vorhär» (learn something new)

Educational theme
trails tell you more
than books

Nature, history & living traditions

Here’s everything you need to know about the Diemtigtal theme trails

Theme trails in the Diemtigtal (Diemtig valley) are stunning, they tell plenty of fascinating stories about nature, history and living tradition. These trails will enrich your excursion, whether it’s with your school class or family. There’s a variety of themes, all of which are closely related to the Diemtigtal.

Acquire knowledge while hiking

short and easy circular trails invite you to discover more about the valley independently
anchored in our true values
high-quality content, curated by experts
our theme trails are easy to understand and kept up-to-date
Open or closed? Our summer sports report shows you which facilities and hiking trails are currently open > summer report

Our recommendation:
Get all information
before hiking

Pick up the free informative brochure including a map of our theme trails at the tourist office (only available in German).

You can also order it anytime directly from home.

View & order brochure now

Hiking for knowledge

Learn about a variety of topics on your hike

Do you know the Rosa Canina? Have you ever stood close to an original Schwinger-Siegermuni (a bull that is awarded to Swiss wrestling champions)? How does a sea become a cultural landscape with grazing cows? Where can you find beautiful examples of Simmental carpentry? Our theme trails uncover the Nature Park’s secrets and reveal interesting facts about culture, nature and landscape.

You can easily reach the starting points of our valley-based theme trails by PostBus, and the higher ones by car.
To our overnight guests: get our popular > NaturParkCard (guest card) from your host. This card enables you to travel for free on the PostBus and on both chairlifts Wiriehorn and Grimmialp.

Easy and accessible

Our theme trails in the Diemtigtal Nature Park are usually short and easy circular hikes that are also suitable for children. However, they are not accessible for pushchairs throughout.

Nevertheless, we recommend wearing appropriate shoes with good grip and to take sun and/or rain protection as well as some food and drinks in your backpack. The trails are accessible as long as there is no snow.

Digitally staged and put into the spotlight:
the Albert Schweitzer Trail

«An optimist is a person who sees a green light everywhere, while a pessimist sees only the red stoplight… the truly wise person is colourblind.»

How much Albert Schweitzer is in me and how can I integrate his mindful attitude towards other people in my everyday life? The theme trail at Grimmialp is dedicated to the (probably) most famous of the valley’s guests. His stays between 1901 and 1909 influenced Schweitzer’s concept of ethics in his «Reference for life» considerably.

Download the app which digitally curates the productive life of Albert Schweitzer, who was a doctor, philosopher, theologist and organist. Besides augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) you’ll find animated illustrations, audios and videos as well as interactive, playful elements, which create a lively experience and will guide you through the fascinating life of Albert Schweitzer. The app has been available since 2019 and is suitable for all ages, for both independent visitors, and school classes (German only):
> Albert Schweitzer Trail

Look out for the most beautiful house!
Diemtigtal House Trails

Admire these impressive houses. They represent the heyday of cattle trade and horse breeding. The oldest houses stem back to the 16^th century. It is thanks to the cooperation between prosperous farmers and talented craftsmen that the Diemtigtal (Diemtig valley) is home to such wonderful houses. The traditional construction style is still used when new chalets are built. The municipality of Diemtigen was awarded the Henri Louis Wakker Prize around 30 years ago for its architectural heritage.

The three Diemtigtal House Trails lead you, on hikes of half a day each or combined for a longer e-bike tour, to the most gorgeous houses in the Diemtigtal (Diemtig valley):
> Diemtigtal house Trails

Springenboden Swiss Wrestling Trail

Are you wondering what «Übersprung» and «Gammen» mean? Can you name the Swiss Wrestling Federation’s five regional federations? Swiss wrestling is a deeply rooted tradition in the Diemtigtal (Diemtig valley), and the valley has produced three Schwingerkönige (Swiss wrestling champions). Learn more about this popular national sport, which has preserved its traditional origins, on the home turf of Swiss wrestling champion Kilian Wenger (Frauenfeld, 2010). The information on the themed trail boards is only in German.
> Springenboden Swiss Wrestling Trail

Bird Trail: from red kites to white-throated dippers

We are surrounded by birds almost everywhere, but most of the time, we only hear their cheerful song without seeing them. However, birds are fascinating creatures. Some fly 800 km per day to find food. A video camera in a bird’s nest will give you a glimpse of a pair of swifts. At a later stop you may be lucky and see the deft white-throated dipper diving into the rushing waters of a mountain stream.
> Birds Trail

Wiriehorn Gelogical Trail

This geological themed trail leads you around the Wiriehorn and shows you how the landscape has evolved. The trail provides interesting facts about the mountain and the valley, about glaciers and water, and about rock and stone. Starting 240 mio. years ago until the present day.
> Wiriehorn Gelogical Trail

Historical and Cultural Trail

This trail, with a historical and cultural theme, gives insights into various lifestyles in the Diemtigtal as far back as the Middle Stone Age.
> Historical and Cultural Trail

Mountain hike to the Grimmiwasser (Grimmiwater) place of power

The hike to the red, iron-rich natural springs is most impressive, with its rugged moorlands, rare alpine flowers and the iron-rich springs themselves, which act as a natural energy source.
> Mountain hike to the Grimmiwasser place of power

Church trails

Churches can tell plenty of stories. The new church guide for the area Niedersimmental, Diemtigtal, Obersimmental, Saanenland, Jauntal and Pays-d’Enhaut offers a great overview as a basis for your private explorations. The new app provides an acoustic guide. Moreover, a 76-page brochure a double page to each church, explaining its construction and interior. Pictures give you further insights. Kirchenwege.ch is a project of the Bernese Swiss Heritage Society’s regional group Thun Kandertal Simmental Saanen.
> kirchenwege.ch

Exploring the valley on a nature observation excursion

The theme trails in the Diemtigtal Nature Park are made for groups, families and independent visitors who are interested in nature. Experts are available on request to give you even more insights during a hike. Let yourself be inspired by our programme of excursions.

Book your excursion now!

Good to know

can be found in the Schwalbenturm (swallow tower) at Wilerau – but we can’t say whether there’s a family in each one…

have to be fought by each wrestler in a Schwingfest (Swiss wrestling tournament), at a federal tournament it’s eight

is how often Albert Schweitzer spent his holidays at Grimmialp, at the former Grand Hotel Grimmialp, between 1901 und 1909

our summer sports report shows you which facilities and hiking trails are currently open