A Lovely Walk along the South Shore of Lake Wohlensee near Bern

Saturday April 4, 2026 -- We had several plans for the Easter weekend. Whereas everyone in Europe was heading south via the Gotthard Tunnel (three hours of backed-up traffic), we headed west into the area around Bern where we don't often go, and where the weather prognosis was best, although for this particular day the sun was not expected till after noon, so it was a bit of a risk. 

We chose an 11-km walk along the southern banks of a lake called Wohlensee, which is actually a widening of the Aare River (reservoir lake) just a few kilometers northwest of Bern. We didn't really know what to expect but were pleasantly surprised at the variety of trails, both through forests and small farming towns, lots of pretty houses, pastures with cows, and from higher up wonderful views of the lake. It was a perfect day for this walk. 

Our final and unexpected surprise was after we boarded our bus at the end of the walk and headed back toward Bern, that we had the most fantastic clear and far-reaching views of almost the entire line of Alps to the south. (It was one of those days when the mountains appear closer than they are). This was very near to where we walked, but because we were closer to lake level, we didn't get to enjoy this beauty until the bus, and from there I couldn't make any decent photos!

After a short 2¼-hour trip back home, we decided we would return to the Bern area the next day, closer to the mountains, in the hopes of a similar fantastic view.

Leaving home at about 9:15 a.m., we were taking a risk with the weather. Forecast was for sunshine in the afternoon, and we were hoping for that after reaching our destination at 11:30. This is near home along Lake Zug. 

At 11:30 we were at the start of our hike, heading in the direction of Fuchsenried, although we were ending the hike 20 minutes before that. Clouds are starting to lift!

The hike we did was 3½ hours along the south side of Lake Wohlensee, which is actually part of the Aare River, creating a reservoir lake with a dam on the west side. We started on the east at Eymatt at 11:30, and caught the bus in Oberei at about 4:30 p.m. It was only a 2¼-hour trip in each direction. 

First we crossed a small stream called Gäbelbach which enters the Aare River from the south. 

The first of many sets of stairways on this interesting hike!

The clouds are slowly dissipating now, which is just fine for walking on the forest roads!

In a clearing on a plateau above the river/lake, is this attractive property, all by itself up here in a clearing surrounded on all sides by forest. 

From up here through the trees we get our first glimpse of the Aare River as it narrows again on the east side of the "lake", which is actually a widening of the river due to a dam on the west end. Directly in the center at the back at the small cluster of houses is where we started our hike, i.e. where the Gäbelbach stream enters the river. And on the left (not visible) is a large development of large apartment buildings called Kappelenring.  

More stairs, heading down toward lake level now. There were several sets of such steps going up and down. 

Now we are approaching the little village called Wohlei, with the first glimpse of the lake at this level. 

The first blossoms are appearing on the fruit trees here!

Each house in this little village called Wohlei was unique and interesting. 

More interesting houses in this village, each one unique and different. 

A very old granary building. Earlier, people lived in the top part, and grain and other goods were stored in the bottom part. 

We always love to see these old granary buildings. They are very old and usually have a date carved over the door somewhere. Here just under the roof is a date of 1685!!!

A final gorgeous old farmhouse at the far end of the village of Wohlei. We are looking for a convenient bench to have our lunch as it is now 12:37.  Till now, any benches we have seen are right on the people's properties. 

At the west end of the village is this old barn with a bench-like log which we then used as a seat for our picnic lunch! Bottom right photo is our view from our "log-bench". 

As we sat and enjoyed our lunch break, we kept hearing the beating of the swans' wings as they landed and took off from the lake surface. There were very many swans here!

From here in the little village of Wohlei is a bridge which crosses the lake and continues into the larger town of Wohlen. We get a nice look at the town's church from here. 

Continuing on our walk now just after 1 p.m., heading off to the next cluster of homes which is another 35-minute walk from here. 

Another short uphill section through the forest where we can look down at the lake. 

Instead of cows, here is a pasture full of swans grazing! This was their take-off and landing place from what we had heard and seen from the other village!

A swan comes in for a landing after taking off from the lake surface. 

It is perfect weather for this walk along Lake Wohlensee. 

Now we are reaching the next group of homes. The hamlet is called Aebischen. 

Looking behind us again past the pasture of swans are the large apartment complexes of the Kappelenring, across from where we started our hike. (Apparently this is a fairly new development where most of the buildings are heated from the lake). Far in the back is the well-known communication tower called Bantiger, the third-largest radio and TV tower in Switzerland (whose viewing platform we once climbed in bad weather in March 2022). 

Also visible from here (zoomed view) looking back, is the lovely bridge from Wohlei to Wohlen. 

Here in Aebischen were some more lovely buildings, although only a very few. 

Some pretty bushes flowering here. Upper left is an "Easter Egg Tree", which you often see here in Switzerland. 

And from further on toward the lake, we are being observed once again!

This beautiful house had a date chiseled into the sandstone arch above the door: 1793

Another beautiful house, typical of the region. 

Past here the forest trail is off-limits due to storm damage (till at least end of April) so we have to take a detour up to the freeway. First more steps through the forest. It's kind of fun to go up and down all these stairways!

After 100 meters straight uphill on those stairs, we reach the level of the freeway and pass this lovely farm called Studenweid. This is the detour we have to take before returning to the lake-side trail. 

Close-up view of the farmhouse at Studenweid. 

It was only a 5-minute walk next to the busy highway before we then descended through another community called Jaggisbach. From this vantage point we can see all the way to the Jura mountains. There is still a lot of snow there!

Zoomed view of Mt.Chasseral, at 1606 meters it is the highest peak in the Bernese Jura, and fourth-highest in the Jura Range which mostly runs along the Swiss-French border. The weather isn't as nice over there as it is over here!

Another pretty farmhouse with Easter Egg decorations on the windows. 

Across from this farmhouse was another granary. I couldn't see a date on this one. 

How nice to see the cows in the pastures again! This little one wasn't used to seeing strangers walk past, as it's probably quite young!

I had to climb up a bit to see the brown cows on this side of the trail. They are also keeping an eye out as to what Urs is doing! And from here I could also see the little ones on the other side of the road....

More very young cows out in the pastures! Always a pleasure to see them. 

We would have missed this beautiful view if we had walked on the--currently closed--forest trail, which we joined further down from here. 

Back down now on the official trail. This now is part of another regional themed trail called "Via Berna", which follows mostly the Aare River and also passes through the hamlet of Wohlei where we were earlier, then across the bridge and then around the Kappelenring on the other side of the lake.  

Looking behind us now again. There are many reeds here along the lakeshore. 

A little bay called the Teuftalbucht. 

A look back along the lake and all the "reedy" sections along the lakeshore. 

Not quite, but almost the last set of stairs which we have to climb to the bus stop further up along the main road, where we are ending our 3½-hour hike. 

More forest trails, more views of the lake from above. 

After the final climb from the lakeshore toward the upper main road, our final view across the lake to the north before reaching the bus stop at Oberei. 

For a change we were about 10 minutes early for the hourly bus which passes by here, so we could admire a few of the houses up here. Also from here you can see the snow-covered Jura mountains to the west. 

Another lovely farmhouse. 

What our hike looks like on Google Satellite Maps

As our bus heads eastward toward one of the train stations at the outskirts of the city of Berne, it passes via a town called Frauenkappelen from where we got this magnificent view of the Bernese Alps, in particular the Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau trio. Unfortunately, the reflection on the bus window ruins the photo, but we didn't want to skip a bus as it only runs once an hour. A shame we didn't know about this sooner as we might have changed plans.... 

The bus stops at the little church in Frauenkappelen. 

More outstanding views of the Bernese Alps as our bus makes its way to the Bern-Brünnen train station (where we change for main station Bern). Sometimes the atmospherical conditions are such that the mountains look extremely close. A lot of people get headaches during these days!

Coincidentally, a close friend of Urs' was also in Frauenkappelen on this very same day, and he sent us this photo of the view we had on our bus ride, minus the reflections on the bus windows!

Always a favourite view toward the Bern Cathedral as the train leaves the Bern main station and heads north. On this day in particular the mountain backdrop is stunning! To the left of the cathedral spire is the north face of Mt.Eiger, and to the left of that is a small pointed peak called Finsteraarhorn, the highest of the Bernese peaks. 

Zoomed view. On this photo, all three of the famous peaks are visible: Eiger and Mönch on the left of the spire, Mt.Jungfrau on the right. And Mt. Finsteraarhorn on the far left. 

I really wanted to photograph the beautiful Aarburg castle as the train passes just south of Olten, but only this one site was in the shadow of some clouds!

More beautiful views of the Alps as the train approaches Luzern from the north. These are the Nidwalden and Obwalden Alps, with Mt.Titlis on the far right. 

And a view across Lake Zug to Mt.Rigi as the train heads into Zug. 

On these clear days we also get a really good view of the Bernese Alps from across Lake Zug!

Lovely flowers and blossoms on our way home from the train station in Zug!

Location of Lake Wohlensee within Switzerland. 

This aerial view of Lake Wohlensee, over the development at Kappelenring, is from a 2020 article from the Internet. On this photo you can see the two hamlets of Wohlei and Aebischen where we walked along the south side of the lake. 

many lovely houses along the way 

(and these are mostly northerners using the tunnel to get there quickly, but with