Lake Thun is not only a treat for the eyes, but also a paradise for family trips. Crystal clear water, views of Alpine peaks, picturesque villages, charming castles – and hiking trails that even younger children and beginners can handle. In this article, you will find six tips for hikes around Thun that we have explored and tested ourselves with our children. Some offer adrenaline on a suspension bridge, others tranquility on benches with a view. And they all have one thing in common – the beautiful backdrop of the Swiss Alps.
NOTE: The headings are clickable and will take you to the original article with a detailed description of the route.
1. Rabeflue viewpoint and the Cholereschlucht gorge
At the beginning of the trail, you will encounter a relatively steep climb, but you will be rewarded with views of the town of Thun from a different perspective. There is a fireplace and picnic table right at the lookout point. From the viewpoint, head towards Cholereschlucht. In the gorge, you will descend zigzagging down the ravine and past small waterfalls in a rocky gorge. From the gorge, you will emerge on the outskirts of the village of Hünibach and continue to the tourist signpost to Lake Thun, where you will find a playground, a pleasant bistro, and a small beach.
2. Sigriswil Suspension Bridge
The village of Sigriswil above Lake Thun boasts a unique feature: a suspension bridge that, at 340 meters long, is one of the longest suspension bridges in Switzerland. The “Sigriswil – Aeschlen Schluchtrundweg” trail leads from the center of the village towards Grabenmühle. When you reach the hamlet of Unterdorf, you will have Sigriswil, Lake Thun, and the Bernese Alps at your fingertips. At the end of the hike, you will cross the suspension bridge, which was opened on October 14, 2012, and is part of the Panorama Rundweg Thunersee project.
3. Niesenbänkli
Niesenbänkli is a bench high above Lake Thun, offering a magnificent view of the Niesen mountain. And not just that. Basically, you can see the entire Bernese Oberland, across Lake Thun with the peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau in the background. The loop trail starts at the REHA Rehabilitation Center in Heiligenschwendi and first follows the road, then a wide forest path.
4. Blueme Lookout Tower
The second hike, which starts at the rehabilitation center in Heiligenschwendi, is a route that ends at the Schwendiblueme lookout tower. The Blueme (or Blume, meaning flower) lookout tower stands at an altitude of 1,391 meters above sea level. It stands on the site of the original wooden lookout tower. From the 16-meter-high tower, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the Emental hills, the Jura Mountains, Hohgant, Sigriswiler Rothorn, Lake Thun, Stockhorn, Niesen, and other peaks of the Bernese Alps.
5. Hängebrücke Leissigen suspension bridge
On the shore of Lake Thun in the village of Leissigen, there is a trail that will take you to another suspension bridge from the Panorama Rundweg Thunersee project. To walk across the 140-meter-long bridge suspended 60 meters above the Spissibach stream, you have to climb a fairly steep slope at the beginning (yes, the kids will probably complain). But you will be rewarded with beautiful views of Lake Thun from the opposite side – this time you can enjoy views of Niederhorn, Harder Kulm and beyond to Interlaken. More about this hike will be available soon on the blog.
6. “Bänkli-Rundweg” Aeschi bei Spiez
Bänkli-Rundweg is a loop trail with 14 benches along an 8-kilometer route, offering not only a place to rest but also beautiful views of Lake Thun, Beatenberg and Niederhorn across the lake, and on the other side, the Kandertal valley and a chain of peaks, which ends with the majestic Niesen mountain, known as the “Swiss Pyramid” due to its characteristic pointed shape.
Whether you are looking for adventure on suspension bridges, panoramic views from lookout points, or just a leisurely stroll with benches for a snack, the area around Lake Thun has something for every family. Do you know of any other routes in this area that are worth mentioning? Write to me in the comments or on Instagram – I would love to be inspired!
