From Eriz over the Sichle to Lake Thun, 4 3/4 hours
Innereriz/Säge–Ober Schöriz–Sichle–Grönhütte–Merligen
This impressive and very varied walk takes you from the densely forested area behind Eriz, over the saddle of the Sichle, through the steeply sided Justis Valley to the Mediterranean like shores of Lake Thun at Merligen.
The start of the walk is the terminus bus station at Innereriz/Säge from where you turn right onto a little road, which crosses the valley in the direction of Geissegg. Then you climb up the west flank of the Sulzigrabe, over Unter Schöriz up to the Ober Schöriz hut. As you continue to climb up from the foot of the Burst massif to the pass you will have several chances to stop and enjoy the wonderful views of the rock layers of the Sieben Hengste (Seven Stallions) with the dark molasse lower down and the lighter limestone cliffs above. Your hard work during the climb will be rewarded when you reach the Sichel; to the south let your gaze wander to the Niesen and the Frutigen area and to the north the thickly wooded area around Eriz and to Honegg.
You climb along the Sigriswil ridge, passing areas of scree and sparse tree cover and over the open alpine meadows up to the beautifully situated Oberhofner and then on into the bottom of the Justis Valley as far as Hinterstberg. This spectacular valley framed by the imposing cliffs owes its name to Saint Justus who was said to have settled here as a friend of Saint Beatus.
Now follow the Grön stream out of the valley, crossing the forested area at Püfelberg to the ornate cheese store at Spicherberg where the remarkable Chästeilet’ (the sharing out of the cheeses ceremony) takes place each September attracting visitors from all over the world. After the Grön hut continue through the wood, twice crossing the Grön stream before the path leads along the right side of the valley to Gütsch (wonderful views of Lake Thun and Mount Niesen from here). The last short descent takes you back to the stream, which you follow until you reach Merligen.
Over the Greberegg in to the Suld Valley, approx. 6 hours
Spiez–Aeschi–Greberegg–Suld–Aeschiried
This unique mountain hike takes you over the broad high ridge above Aeschi, over Aeschiallmi to Greberegg. After a steep ascent through the forest you reach the mountain restaurant in Suld, where many well-known public figures from all over the world have been guests. On the path which takes you back through the Suld valley to Aeschiried you have the chance to enjoy a surprisingly large variety of mountain flora; please remember the whole area around the Suld Valley is a nature conservation area and thus protected by law.
In Spiez take the path from the railway station underpass upwards to the Leimeren-Quarter and then eastwards through the forest of Hondrich. Your next destination after leaving the forest is Hondrich, from where you take a little road through the group of houses known as Rüti on to the edge of the Seeholz forest. Continue along past the forest and through Seeholz and to the old church at Aeschi. A visit to the church is very worthwhile. At the next crossroads continue in the direction of Krattigen and climb up past Zwygarte, over Egg which lies between Lake Thun and the Suld Valley (lovely views from here!) and up to Äbene and then onwards to the schoolhouse at Aeschi.
Now you are on the broad sunny ridge of Aeschiallmi and from here the path continues more or less on a level to Bireberg. Then the track climbs up to Greberegg where you will have a splendid view of the Morgenberghorn, the Dreispitz and the Mount Niesen chain.
After a short rest you will find the steep descent through the Leimeren forest to the restaurant at Suld easy. Under huge oak trees you come across the ancient cheese stores where the alp cheese from the area is kept until autumn. At the bridge behind the restaurant take the path which follows the mountain stream through the Suld Valley. Passing ponds and pools and little clearings in the forest you cross over to the other side of the valley where you come to the little road that leads you to Aeschiried.
Suld Valley – A Natural Paradise
This nature conservation area is a paradise for observers of flora and fauna: Grouse and capercaillie and ptarmigans and even the Alpenfelsenmauerläufer’, which are threatened with extinction, may be seen here. The airspace however is ruled by a pair of golden eagles. You may also glimpse fox, badger and martens as well as chamois or roe deer. With a bit of luck you may come across a lynx or raccoon. The variety of orchids in the Suld Valley is astounding; there are ten types of gentian here and whole fields of Turk’s caps. Columbines as well as edelweiss and alpine rose are indigenous species here.
From the Mediterranean-like shores of the lake up to the stark Morgenberghorn – approx 81/2 hours
From Leissigen over the Greberegg and Brunni up to the Morgenberghorn
This is a demanding but varied mountain hike with tremendous views of the Lakes of Thun and Brienz on one side and the protected nature conservation area of the Suld Valley on the other. From the summit the panoramic views of the four thousand metre peaks, the alpine foothills and as far as the Mittelland are incomparable. If 81/2 hours is a little too much to undertake, the hike can easily be shortened by starting in Aeschiried or by the Hore hut (parking spaces available). Good footwear and sure-footedness are essential.
The starting point for this hike is the village of Leissigen. From here you climb upwards via Aebnitweid and Gibel though meadows and past pretty granaries in the direction of Hore. At the alp hut at Hore you have two choices; either you can take the road on the right in the direction of Krattigen a little way and then turn left on to the path, which takes you along the ridge on the left side of the Hore and through the Hore forest to Greberegg where you can rest for a few minutes after the climb and take in the beautiful views.
Alternatively you can choose the shorter route which climbs up through abundant alpine flora via Alp Egelholz and Fulwasser, a charming high moor and then on to the ridge which stretches between Lake Thun and the Suld Valley, from Aeschiried over the Greberegg to Brunni (1644 m). Here the two paths meet and the way now leads gently upwards to Brunnialp (1644m).
After a break at the Skiclub hut (an overnight stay is possible here), the steep and strenuous ascent to the summit of the Morgenberghorn (2248m) begins. You need to be sure-footed, above all through the Chemi and you should not suffer from vertigo. The upper section of the path is made safer by means of a wire rope. The amazing panoramic view of the lakes, the Mittelland, the Dreispitz, the alpine foothills and the four thousand meter peaks is breathtaking.
Descend back to the Brunni hut and then to the right and steeply downhill through a wonderful mountain forest to Baachli. At the Baachli hut take the track, which connects Baachli to Krattigen, and then walk back on the flat through dense forest to the Hore hut. Then walk back down to Leissigen on the same path as where you started the walk.
