Winter Loop Trail in Aeschi near Spiez.... and a Walk down to Lake Thun

Thursday March 7, 2024 -- The temperatures fell, as did the snow, and we are back to doing a snow-winter hike! Actually we wanted to do a snow-free hike in the lowlands near Fribourg in western Switzerland, but on our way there the forecast changed once again from pure sunshine to too overcast for my taste (and cold), so we headed to the sunshine of the area south of Lake Thun for a walk on an official winter trail there, although, as it turned out, most of the trail which is along paved roads was snow-free. But the snow-covered trees and mountains and village roof-tops made it worth our while.

As the small loop from Aeschi near Spiez was only about two hours to walk, we continued down the mountain to lakeside after we'd completed the loop, and walked all the way to Spiez, another 90 minutes or so. Unfortunately the clouds then also moved in, and we had less sunshine than I had hoped, but we were satisfied with the walk. And we had superb clear views of the Bernese Alps, which doesn't always happen.This will be the final hike on snow-covered trails for the season!

Heading up the hill by bus from Spiez train station on Lake Thun, the low hills on the north side of the lake received snow halfway down. For most of the winter, those hills are usually snow-free.

The bus passed the snow level here, so we knew we'd be going through some snow on the second part of our hike down this hillside to the lake. 

"Both" of our hikes started here in Aeschi. First the winter hike (pink trail signs) to Aeschiried, about two hours to complete the loop, and when we got back to approximately here, another 90 minutes to walk to Spiez via Faulensee. We started here at 10:25

The "official" winter hiking trail from Aeschi to Aeschiried and back as described on our hiking app. It is estimated to take just over two hours in winter conditions. It wasn't a strenuous hike, only about 200 meters ascent in total. 

When we started, there was a bit of fog hiding Mount Niesen, but later we had full view of this mountain on the entire loop (behind us and ahead). This section as well as our descent to the lake are part of regional trail no.38: Via Berna, of which we have also walked several sections.

Heading south with a view into the Frutig Valley (Frutigtal) on the far right, and the Kien Valley directly to the south. 

This part of the winter trail heading up to Aeschiried was on narrow trails covered in snow. Somewhat soft though, so not so great to walk on. 

A look behind us at the stunning Mount Niesen, accessed by a funicular. We went to the summit of that mountain most recently in July 2023, with a good view down to this region where we are walking right now (those photos are HERE)

Many very nice wooden chalet-style houses here, which are typical of this area in the Bernese Oberland. 

This cute little building called a Spycher was built in 1772. The artistic adornments are always a pleasure, as are the rows of cow bells!

When we got to this little shed, we had to stop to remove our jackets, as it was so warm! Unfortunately though, no benches to sit on.

Continuing up the hillside without jackets, and looking westward to where we originally wanted to go walking. The sky remained overcast there pretty much till mid-afternoon. 

Having now reached Aeschiried, we have a stunning view along the Frutig Valley to the south. 

More lovely chalets. This is looking north, and just past this chalet on the right we see the summit of Mount Niederhorn, which is on the north side of Lake Thun. 

There is a prepared cross-country loipe in really good condition. We had seen this view on the webcams on the way here, and this is what made us decide to come up this way. Of course we had less snow than expected on the actual walking trail, but it was still good. 

Looking eastward up the hillside above Aeschiried, the fog has just missed enveloping us! We did a hike here in October 2021, ending our hike by coming down this hillside. (Those photos are HERE)

At the time of the October 2021 hike which ended here at Aeschiried, we had discovered this farm selling cheeses and sausages and honey and so we stopped here again for cheese. (This is what the actual building looks like, a photo from my Oct.2021 Album)

Another look above Aeschiried as we reach the top part of our loop and head back toward the west.

On the winter trail heading west now, parallel to Lake Thun which we now get views of from the north side of the loop. 

A little more snow now on this section of the trail, the best part!

Snow-covered rooftops and Mount Niesen ahead of us as we still have a few snow-covered trails to follow!

To our north is Beatenberg and the summit of Mount Niederhorn

Zoomed view of the summit of Mount Niederhorn. We did a winter hike starting on that summit in December 2017, those photos are HERE

We then got back to the road part of the trail, which was of course free of snow. In mid-winter when there is a lot of snow, this would be a nicely prepared walking trail, like the cross-country ski trails. 

There is another themed trail here called the "Alpiner Bänkli Rundweg", or "Alpine Bench Loop Trail" featuring a large variety of unique hand-crafted benches, with the invitation (above the garbage can here) to "take a seat on the prettiest benches in the Bernese Oberland"!  (This one would be a bit wet...)

Another pretty property

There's still a strip of cloud hanging between us and Mount Niesen. 

As we got back to Aeschi, we got a peek all the way to the castle in Spiez, near where we would be ending our hike (this is a zoomed view). 

We got back to Aeschi at 12:45, so we did the loop in about 2 hours and 20 minutes. 

A look behind us at the town of Aeschi as we start on the second hike of the day, the downhill walk to the lakeshore on Lake Thun. 

The trail in yellow is the full 13-km hike we did this day: First the loop from Aeschi to Aeschiried and back, then the other section down to Faulensee on the lake and along the lakeshore to Spiez train station. 

The first downhill section was through the forest, and there was more snow here than we had expected, but it wasn't difficult to walk the paths. 

When we left the forest, we also left the snow behind. This is the view eastward along Lake Thun and to Interlaken in the center (there is another lake on the other side of Interlaken). 

Heading down to Lake Thun with the town of Faulensee in our sights. 

A close-up look at Faulensee. Our trail took us along the road below the church, then down to the lakeshore. 

A lovely newly-built chalet from the 1990's

Down at the lakeshore now for the walk to Spiez

Enjoying the last of the sunshine before heading onto the shadowy part of the trail. Ahead is Mount Niederhorn and the Justiz Valley, which we also talk about walking down one day. 

And another look to the south to Aeschiried, at the top of the winter trail loop. 

For this section we had to walk in the shadow of the hill on our south side. 

Zoomed view of one of the historical old churches in Spiez (one we have yet to visit). 

And across the harbour is the Spiez Castle and Romanesque Church, which we visited at the end of our May 2023 hike from Thun to Spiez (Those photos are HERE)

To get to the train station in Spiez, you have to walk uphill a bit. Along that path, we got a view of the peak of Mount Eiger (zoomed view). 

And further East from Mount Eiger is the peak of Mount Schrekhorn. This is so stunningly beautiful. 

The view of the Spiez Castle from about the level of the train station. We got here at 2:40 p.m. with plenty of time to catch the 14:54 train. 

What our 13-km hike looks like on Google Satellite Maps. 

Heading by train from Spiez to Thun, we always get this stunning view of the Bernese Oberland Alps, especially Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau, which are just starting to emerge into view on this photo. 

Also in the center at the back is Mount Schrekhorn

The further from Thun and the closer we get to Bern, the better we see the mountains, especially on this clear day (Eiger on the very far left, Jungfrau in the Center). 

These are all the hikes we have done in the region around Spiez and Mount Niesen and Lake Thun. 

Location of Spiez within Switzerland