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Panoramic multi-day hike in the Gantrisch Nature Park from Schwarzsee to the Gurnigel Pass
Three days on foot and with a rucksack through the foothills of the Alps from Schwarzsee in the canton of Fribourg to the Gurnigel Pass in the Gantrisch Nature Park in the canton of Bern. The approximately 33 km route along fantastic panoramic trails is ideal for anyone who wants to hike from nomadic camp to camp with a tent.
Day 1
Our rucksacks are already packed when we get up on the first day of hiking and strengthen ourselves for the day. We take it easy, as we will only need around 3 hours for the day's 8 km and 660 vertical meters, making it the perfect start to our multi-day tour.
First of all, we travel by public transport to Schwarzsee in the Fribourg Pre-Alps. Out of the city and into the countryside. The area becomes increasingly rural and hilly until we arrive at the mountain lake in the middle of the wild and romantic natural scenery. As we have plenty of time, the first thing we do is make a thirty-minute detour to the Seeweidbach waterfall. If you still need refreshments for the tour, you can buy some at the “Fäschtus Biohüttli” farm store right next to the Schwarzsee Campus bus stop, the starting point of the hike.
And then the ascent begins over pastures and through scattered trees. We want to get up to the Schwyberg chain. After around an hour, we reach Fuchses Schwyberg with a fantastic view of the surrounding peaks - Kaiseregg, Spitzflue, Moléson and La Berra. At the newly renovated mountain hut, you can refresh yourself in the "Alpbeizli" during the summer season from Thursday to Sunday before continuing on.
The route climbs again briefly before we have completed most of the ascent and continue along the ridge towards Gross Schwyberg with great views. We set up our first camp at the alpine hut there. From the viewpoint directly above, a 360-degree panoramic view of 13 of the 26 Swiss cantons awaits us.
We cook our own dinner, but those arriving from Tuesday to Sunday can also enjoy delicious home-made rösti, tarte flambée, fondue, cheese slices or other traditional delicacies in the restaurant of the alpine hut before taking a quick shower and then heading to the tent early to recharge their batteries for the next day.
A day to remember
Day 2
It's worth getting up early. If the weather cooperates, a magical sunrise with far-reaching views awaits you. We can also see most of our second day's route from the tent. It is the longest section of our tour with 19 km and 1000 meters of altitude. We set off straight after breakfast.
We start the descent across green meadows and through small woods to the Gurli mountain restaurant and then further down until we reach the customs house and the Sense. We take a short break by the river to recharge our batteries before beginning the ascent on the Gantrisch panoramic trail.
We now walk up for the time being. Passing farms and then small alpine pastures, we climb uphill until we reach the ridge. First, the occasional glance over the shoulder with a view as far as Schwarzsee is worthwhile and then the Gantrisch chain with Nüneneflue, Gantrisch, Bürgle and Ochse appears in front of us, with the snow-covered Alpine peaks visible further away.
There are several vantage points along the ridge with fireplaces that invite you to take a lunch break. Well refreshed, we then come to the Gäggersteg, a forest treetop path, at the foot of which nature continues to recover slowly and naturally from hurricane Lothar in 1999.
Shortly after the footbridge, we deviate from the signposted panoramic trail and walk down towards Schwefelbergbad to our second camp “Übernachten im Naturpark Gantrisch”. After the long hike, we cook our dinner over the fire and drink a local beer from the camp store. If you book in advance, you can also use the sauna at the camp or relax your muscles in the hot tub before making yourself comfortable in your tent, tired and content.
Alternative option: If the 19 km and 1000 vertical meters with luggage are too much for you, you can also walk only 5 km to Zollhaus and take the bus up to the Schwefelbergbad from there. However, this only runs twice a day. If you have deposited your luggage at the camp, it is also worth taking a leisurely hike from there, or you can enjoy the nature on site.
The views
For night owls
In the Gantrisch Nature Park, the night has a high priority, and together with park communities and partners, the Gantrisch Region Development Association is committed to protecting night-time darkness. The Gantrisch Nature Park has now become the first area in Switzerland to be awarded the international “Dark Sky Park” label for its above-average night-time darkness in its dark zone. The perfect place to look up at the night sky.
Day 3
The new day dawns and brings thunderstorms with it. We take our time and eat breakfast under the covered seating area. Actually, we would now hike another 6 km, up to the serviced Birehütte, to the Gantrischseeli and finally to the mountain hut on the Gurnigel Pass. However, we decide to take the bus directly from Schwefelbergbad due to the weather and make our way home.
Our team colleague from the region can still recommend the rest of the route and if you want to spend a third night outside, you can hike further to the “Schlössli Süd” or “Schlössli West” camps. From the Gurnigel Pass, follow the panoramic trail to Gurnigel Bad. Due to a landslide, it is best to take the bus there for one stop or hitch a ride with someone for 5 minutes.
The camps mentioned
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