Hike Across Mount Belp (Belpberg) near Bern

Wednesday February 15, 2023 -- Forecast for some more good visibility in the mountains, so we went a little closer, in the area between the cities of Bern and Thun. 

I had read an article about a small mountain called Belpberg which was formed by glaciers and which stands all by itself between two river plains (the Gürbe and the Aar Rivers), and the suggestion was to walk across this "mountain" from north to south with the fabulous backdrop of the entire Bernese Alps always ahead of you. So this is the suggestion we did for this day.

The hike starts in the town of the same name, i.e. Belp, and after a hefty 200-m ascent through the forest on the cold side of the mountain, you reach a fabulous table-top which is a huge pastoral area with several farms and typical Emmental-type houses, and as promised: The fantastic backdrop of not only the Bernese Alps to the south, but the central pre-Alps such as Schrattenfluh and Hohgant to the East, and to the North we even saw all the way to the Jura mountains.

On the south side we descended to the town of Gerzensee, which boasts two castles and a church built in 1228. We walked along the "New Castle"'s tree-lined alleyway to the shore of the lake of the same name (Gerzensee), which is a nature reserve, and you can't walk around it. But on the parallel road we walked to the next town of Kirchdorf, from where we took the bus back to the railway station.

The best part of this hike is that it only took us two hours to get to the start of the hike. Another successful 13-km hike for us. The only thing missing were the blossoming fruit trees and the geranium window-boxes on the farmhouses. It would have been even more impressive in Spring with some splashes of colour, although the crocuses and snow-bells are starting to make their appearance.

Heading east from Bern, this is the view across the pastoral lands to the north, to the hill called Bantiger and the TV tower, one of the tallest in Switzerland

At 192m, the Bantiger tower is one of the tallest transmission towers in Switzerland. We hiked to this tower in March of 2022, but unfortunately did not have the spectacular view we had this time (those photos are HERE)

There is a webcam on the Bantiger Tower, and on our way to Mt. Belpberg, we checked out the view. Looking fantastic! We could see there was still a bit of snow on the mountain (it wasn't a problem, though)

The start of our hike in the town of Belp took us past the community church (as usual). The church was first mentioned in documents of 1228, but is built on a foundation from the 10th Century. The tower was built in the 12th/13th Century. 

The organ in this church was pretty impressive, as were the walls almost completely covered with frescoes

Details inside the Church of St.Peter and Paul. The organ is impressive. There are 54 panels on the 15th-Century frescoes, which apparently were painted over during the reformation, and rediscovered in 1913. 

History of the church in Belp (10th to 13th Century) and the surrounding historical buildings including a community oven and wash-house. 

First stop at the local bakery!!!

This bakery also created elaborate truffles and pralinés, each one cost 4 CHF (about $6 Canadian!!!). I was impressed by the three types of cows in the center: From left to right: Eringer, Fribourg and Simmental!!!

Various attractive houses and farmhouses in Belp, on our way toward the mountain

Heading down the road toward the base of the mountain, we get the first fabulous view of the mountains to the south (this is the Gantrisch Nature Park region of the Bernese Alps)

Up ahead of us is the north side of Mount Belpberg, a steep 200m climb. It was cold but we sweated during the climb, a weird combination. 

Information about Mt. Belpberg: The mountain is 11km long and 2-4 km wide. The highest point called Chutzen is 893m. In medieval times, people moved to this elevated mount to avoid the flooded areas of the rivers on either side. 

We walked just over 13km, from Belp across Mt. Belp (Belpberg) to Gerzensee and the village of Kirchdorf, from where we caught the bus to the train station in Wichtrach, to return to Bern. 

These are the only remains of the Hohburg fortress on the north flank of Mt. Belp. The fortress was destroyed in 1298

As we emerged from the forest after the steep climb, this was the first view we got! The famous trio of Eiger/Mönch/Jungfrau were the backdrop of the rest of our hike. 

Of the many beautiful buildings we encounter in Canton Bern generally, our favourites are these ones called "Spycher", originally built next to the main farmhouse on a farm to hold stores of grain and hay, and later as residences for elder farmers when their children took up the running of the farm. 

This particular "Spycher" has been converted to a farm shop selling home-made products (meat, eggs, jams, syrups, cold drinks). I was impressed that someone took the time to make a checkerboard with the brown and white eggs!

Heading further South with the Blüemlisalp Massif ahead of us (and the snowy hillside on the right, which we had seen on the Bantiger webcam)

These farmhouses must look spectacular in summer with their typical red geranium window boxes, but I was thrilled to see the first bit of colour in the garden: Crocuses!!!

The first bit of colour finally: Garden Crocuses

Various Emmental-Style farm houses here on top of Mt. Belpberg

A very beautiful old farmhouse..... 

A look back at a small farm in Linde before our climb to Chutzen, the highest point on the mountain.

Our climb on the snowy hillside was just at that farmhouse ahead

This was the only place we had snow, it wasn't too difficult to walk up. 

A look across the top of Mt. Belpberg to the Jura range in the north. 

Down below on the Aar River side of the mountain to the east is the city of Münsingen

At the highest point of the mountain (Chutzen), we had our picnic lunch

The look-out point at Chutzen, the highest point on Mt. Belpberg. We didn't stay long because a group of senior hikers showed up, and they were very chatty!

The highest point at Chutzen (882m). We are walking down to Gerzensee (50 minutes) and from there another 45 minutes to Kirchdorf. This view is to the East, to Schrattenfluh and Hohgant Massifs. 

Zoomed view of Schrattenfluh in Central Switzerland

Continuing south. The pyramid mountain is Mt. Niesen on Lake Thun. 

This farmer gave us very little width on the public trail, which was made softer by mountainbikers using the trail as well!

Back to a dry pasture trail!

Curious little ones! Besides cows, this farm had a large plantation of walnut trees, a dozen different types from all over the world. 

Enjoying the view before our final descent to the village of Gerzensee (you can just see the lake on the left). In the middle of the photo is Lake Thun (Thunersee)

A common sight in spring: Spreading manure on the pastures!

Down below us are the rooftops of the village of Gerzensee. Because of its location on the south foot of the hill, it has a warm climate and is known as the Riviera of Bern. 

Details of the "Old Castle" which we passed first on our arrival in the village

The Old Castle (Das Alte Schloss) built in 1228. These are the crests of all the families who lived here till 1989

Heading down the road to the church "Marienkirche", first mentioned in documents of 1228.

Marienkirche in Gerzensee, at this location since at least 1228.

A class of schoolchildren was just getting a tour of the tower, so we peeked in. The tower was narrow with steep narrow wooden stairs and very thick walls (top two photos)

Details of the houses in Gerzensee

Next stop: "The New Castle". This is a private building, but the public has access to the gardens and the alleyway down to the lake, which we followed

I'm so happy to see the snow-bells!

Heading out of the castle gardens to walk down to the lake. 

An attractive alley bounded on both sides by trees, down to the lake. 

A look across Lake Gerzensee to the West. This is a nature reserve and you cannot walk around the lake. 

We could not walk along the lake, so we headed to the parallel trail and continued South. This is a look back at Mt. Belpberg

A look up the lake to the entire "mountain" we had just crossed

Heading to our final stop to catch the bus in Kirchdorf

Village of Kirchdorf in Canton Bern, where we made it just five minutes before the bus departed (ca. 4 p.m.). No time to look into the church this time!

Our 13-km hike as seen on Google Satellite Maps, starting in Belp and walking across Mt. Belpberg, a small mountain between the Gürbe and Aar Valleys. These plains on either side of the mountain were created by glaciers. We have done some other hikes on the west side of the Gürbe Valley. (HERE and HERE) 

The bus from Kirchdorf passed through Gerzensee again, and we got some final looks at the famous Bernese Trio: Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. (The famous observatory -- The Sphinx -- at Jungfraujoch is right in the middle between the two peaks). 

A look down at Lake Gerzensee from the bus window as we head into the village from the West this time. 

And the view out of the train window on the way to Bern. You can just make out the observatory building on Jungfraujoch on the left. This is nicknamed "Top of Europe" as there is a train station up there, the highest train station in Europe. (3454m)

I take this photo every time we ride in and out of the train station in Bern. The alpine backdrop is spectacular in the evening light when visibility is good. (5 p.m.)

Location of Mt. Belpberg near Bern