On the Way of St. James to the Beatus Grotto

13.23 km long
Difficulty: difficult
Condition: difficult
Hiking Trail
  • 4:00 h
  • 13.23 km
  • 254 m
  • 255 m
  • 558 m
  • 726 m
  • 168 m
  • Start: Merligen
  • Destination: Interlaken

The pilgrimage route opens up the romantically legendary, but also historically, geologically and botanically interesting area at the upper Lake Thun. Highlights along the way are one of the most beautiful viewpoints on Lake Thun, the dripstone caves at the Beatus Grotto, and the abundance of birds in the Neuhaus-Weissenau nature reserve. All this in an extremely picturesque, varied landscape. Almost entirely natural paths.

From the bus or boat station Merligen, ascend towards Justistal. At the top of the village, turn right onto the pilgrimage path. Through forest or at its edge, it leads to Beatenbucht/Fischbalme and, after crossing the Beatenberg railway track, up to the viewpoint on a rock nose. The view down to the lake below and the impressive mountain world is unique.
The large quarry in Balmholz is bypassed along the slope. First on a flat path, then slightly ascending, you reach the cave park at the Beatus Caves. Visiting the caves (entry fee) provides an interesting insight into the underground erosion activity and dripstone formation by water. From the former pilgrimage sanctuary, only some wall remains and the pilgrimage bell are left.
At the foot of a rock band, the pilgrimage path continues to Sundlauenen, which belongs to the municipality of Beatenberg. Initially heading towards Ländte, but halfway turning to the forest edge and crossing the delta piled up from the Sundgraben (a popular recreational area). Follow the street only briefly before a quiet forest path leads past the former Beatus bath, today Manorfarm, to Neuhaus. From here, continue through the Neuhaus-Weissenau nature reserve protected since 1943. This narrow raised bog area is a preferred habitat and breeding ground for many water bird species. At the end of the renatured promenade stand the ruins of the former water castle Weissenau. Along the Aare riverbank, you reach the nearby Interlaken West station via Unterseen.

Berner Wanderwege
Berner Wanderwege

Good to know

Pavements

Asphalt
Trail
Path
Gravel
Street

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

Merligen - Beatus Caves - Neuhaus - Weissenau - Interlaken

Equipment

We recommend the following equipment: light trekking shoes, light backpack, sun protection, rain jacket, pocket pharmacy, light picnic, sufficient fluid, mobile phone.

Directions & Parking facilities

Depart with STI Bus No. 21 from Thun or Interlaken to the Merligen, Beatus stop

Return trip with STI Bus No. 21 from Interlaken West station

 

Additional information

Bernese Hiking Trails Association, Bern, Tel.: 031 340 01 01, E-mail: info@beww.ch, Homepage: www.bernerwanderwege.ch

Literature

Hiking suggestion from the hiking book Lake Thun - Frutigland, hiking book series of the Bernese Hiking Trails

License (master data)

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

Outbound and return travel by STI bus from Thun or Interlaken

Safety guidelines

This route runs entirely on hiking paths.

Map

Swisstopo hiking map 1:50,000 254T Interlaken

Nearby

Address

On the Way of St. James to the Beatus Grotto
Sigriswil