To the Hinterburgseeli, the natural wonder on the Axalp

10.69 km long
Round trip
Difficulty: medium
Condition: easy
Hiking Trail
  • 3:45 h
  • 10.69 km
  • 624 m
  • 624 m
  • 1,521 m
  • 1,878 m
  • 357 m
  • Start: Axalp
  • Destination: Axalp
Varied mountain route over pastures and through storm-battered forests on extensive slope terraces high above Lake Brienz. A special attraction is the Hinterburgseeli, nestled in steep mountain walls – a gem among the Upperland mountain lakes. Equally worth seeing are the sculptures made from the stumps of dead trees along the path at the beginning of the route.

From the bus terminus at the Axalp, the route initially passes the alpine guesthouse eastwards on a well-developed hiking path. The incline remains moderate. Looking backwards, Augstmatthorn, Harder, and the Niederhorn rising behind can be seen. The rows of trees have noticeably thinned after severe storms and avalanches. From the tree stumps, students of the cantonal woodcarving school in Brienz have created diverse and original sculptures. Shortly after the junction in Färnigen, you cross the mountain ridge descending from the Axalphorn. The Hinterburgseeli, lying in a hollow, only comes into sight when you are almost right on its shore. Like a jewel, the blue-green water surface shines from the surrounding fir circle. The rock bands of the Oltschiburg tower mightily above. From the small lake, the path gently rises again to the pass at Alp Hinterburg. On the descent to the huts Uf der Flue, the deep view into the lower Hasli valley, which is crisscrossed by the silver ribbon of the Aare, captivates. The subsequent ascent is very steep on a narrow path through the flank of the Oltschiburg. Then it goes with slight ups and downs to the huts in Urserli (via Tschingel–Chüemad–Axalp 2h45; suitable only for sure-footed, fearless mountain hikers!). Along the way, splendid views over Lake Brienz. Caution is advised on the path to Chruttmettli, which leads along increasingly narrow, steep rock walls, from where a wide forest path leads down to Färnigen and back to the starting point at the Axalp.

Berner Wanderwege
Berner Wanderwege

Good to know

Pavements

Street
Trail
Path

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

Axalp - Hinterburgseeli - Uf der Flue - Urserli - Axalp

Equipment

We recommend the following equipment: sturdy mountain shoes, medium-sized backpack with hip belt, sun protection, rainwear, hiking poles, pocket pharmacy, picnic, sufficient liquids, mobile phone.

Directions & Parking facilities

Outbound and return travel: by train via Interlaken Ost or Lucerne-Meiringen to Brienz. From there by post bus to the Axalp.

Additional information

Hinterburgseeli Nature Reserve

  • The area around the Hinterburgsee and the lake itself is located in a nature reserve, the marked rules must be observed.
  • Land, soil, and waters are in private ownership of the Hinterburg alpine cooperative.

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

Literature

Hiking suggestion from the Bernese Oberland hiking book, hiking book series of the BWW

License (master data)

Safety guidelines

This route runs wholly or partly on marked paths of the mountain hiking trail category

 

Map

Swisstopo hiking map 1:50,000 254T Interlaken

Nearby

Address

To the Hinterburgseeli, the natural wonder on the Axalp
Brienz (BE)