Cycling in Switzerland

Frienisberg-Fernsichtroute
Hinterkappelen–Kirchlindach–Frienisberg–Frieswil–Hinterkappelen

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Frienisberg-Fernsichtroute
Hinterkappelen–Kirchlindach–Frienisberg–Frieswil–Hinterkappelen
The name says it all: This bike tour offers amazing long-distance views from the Alps to the Jura Mountains and from Mt. Titlis to Mt. Moléson. You will reach lofty heights, especially on Chutzenturm. The 43-km route leads through scenic landscapes and charming villages.
The direction of travel, start and end point of the Frienisberg-Fernsichtroute can be freely selected. Three information boards along the way provide useful knowledge and surprising facts about the area. Regular stops are recommended for the fantastic views alone. If you travel counter-clockwise – which is preferable due to the topography – you first follow the greenish-blue Aare River from Hinterkappelen and climb up to Jetzikofenhöhe. The long-distance views of the Bernese Alps and the Jura Mountains are amazing. A detour to the protected Büsselimoos and Widi moorland lakes is a frequently used option. Schüpbärg-Beizli near the hamlet of Schüpberg is considered to be a culinary insider tip. Immediately adjacent to it, Barry-Hof provides insight into the cultivation of vegetables and fruit and innovative livestock farming.
Slightly undulating, the route offers an exciting ride through the national forest. The 45-meter Chutzenturm, the actual centrepiece of the tour, looms high over the treetops. The reward for climbing the 234 steps to the observation platform is a 360-degree panorama (at least in good weather), including the Alps, Bern with the copper-clad dome of the Federal Parliament building, the lakes of Biel, Neuenburg and Murten, and the Jura mountain chain. Other fascinating sights are the mosaic-like meadows and fields of the Bernese Seeland nearby. Back in the saddle, you follow a rough section down to Frienisberg village with its historic abbey. The Cistercian convent was founded in 1131 and was originally named Aurora. Nowadays it houses a residential care and nursing home.
The road continues relatively flat in western direction, always in sight of Chasseral Mountain. On the westernmost point of Frienisberg, you have the entire Swiss Seeland at your feet. In good weather, the sun is reflected on the three lakes and on the Aare channels, winding their way through the vegetable fields. A fast downhill ride takes you to Lake Wohlen. At its shores, the information boards of Bike Route 888 “Grünes Band Bern” (Green Belt Bern) talk about the history of the hydroelectric power plant. On warm days, it’s a good idea to bring a swimsuit because the lake is publicly accessible at various spots. During the summer months a small bistro is open near Wohlei Bridge and there are plenty of places available for grilling. Continuing along the lake takes you back to Hinterkappelen where the tour ends.
Slightly undulating, the route offers an exciting ride through the national forest. The 45-meter Chutzenturm, the actual centrepiece of the tour, looms high over the treetops. The reward for climbing the 234 steps to the observation platform is a 360-degree panorama (at least in good weather), including the Alps, Bern with the copper-clad dome of the Federal Parliament building, the lakes of Biel, Neuenburg and Murten, and the Jura mountain chain. Other fascinating sights are the mosaic-like meadows and fields of the Bernese Seeland nearby. Back in the saddle, you follow a rough section down to Frienisberg village with its historic abbey. The Cistercian convent was founded in 1131 and was originally named Aurora. Nowadays it houses a residential care and nursing home.
The road continues relatively flat in western direction, always in sight of Chasseral Mountain. On the westernmost point of Frienisberg, you have the entire Swiss Seeland at your feet. In good weather, the sun is reflected on the three lakes and on the Aare channels, winding their way through the vegetable fields. A fast downhill ride takes you to Lake Wohlen. At its shores, the information boards of Bike Route 888 “Grünes Band Bern” (Green Belt Bern) talk about the history of the hydroelectric power plant. On warm days, it’s a good idea to bring a swimsuit because the lake is publicly accessible at various spots. During the summer months a small bistro is open near Wohlei Bridge and there are plenty of places available for grilling. Continuing along the lake takes you back to Hinterkappelen where the tour ends.
The name says it all: This bike tour offers amazing long-distance views from the Alps to the Jura Mountains and from Mt. Titlis to Mt. Moléson. You will reach lofty heights, especially on Chutzenturm. The 43-km route leads through scenic landscapes and charming villages.
The direction of travel, start and end point of the Frienisberg-Fernsichtroute can be freely selected. Three information boards along the way provide useful knowledge and surprising facts about the area. Regular stops are recommended for the fantastic views alone. If you travel counter-clockwise – which is preferable due to the topography – you first follow the greenish-blue Aare River from Hinterkappelen and climb up to Jetzikofenhöhe. The long-distance views of the Bernese Alps and the Jura Mountains are amazing. A detour to the protected Büsselimoos and Widi moorland lakes is a frequently used option. Schüpbärg-Beizli near the hamlet of Schüpberg is considered to be a culinary insider tip. Immediately adjacent to it, Barry-Hof provides insight into the cultivation of vegetables and fruit and innovative livestock farming.
Slightly undulating, the route offers an exciting ride through the national forest. The 45-meter Chutzenturm, the actual centrepiece of the tour, looms high over the treetops. The reward for climbing the 234 steps to the observation platform is a 360-degree panorama (at least in good weather), including the Alps, Bern with the copper-clad dome of the Federal Parliament building, the lakes of Biel, Neuenburg and Murten, and the Jura mountain chain. Other fascinating sights are the mosaic-like meadows and fields of the Bernese Seeland nearby. Back in the saddle, you follow a rough section down to Frienisberg village with its historic abbey. The Cistercian convent was founded in 1131 and was originally named Aurora. Nowadays it houses a residential care and nursing home.
The road continues relatively flat in western direction, always in sight of Chasseral Mountain. On the westernmost point of Frienisberg, you have the entire Swiss Seeland at your feet. In good weather, the sun is reflected on the three lakes and on the Aare channels, winding their way through the vegetable fields. A fast downhill ride takes you to Lake Wohlen. At its shores, the information boards of Bike Route 888 “Grünes Band Bern” (Green Belt Bern) talk about the history of the hydroelectric power plant. On warm days, it’s a good idea to bring a swimsuit because the lake is publicly accessible at various spots. During the summer months a small bistro is open near Wohlei Bridge and there are plenty of places available for grilling. Continuing along the lake takes you back to Hinterkappelen where the tour ends.
Slightly undulating, the route offers an exciting ride through the national forest. The 45-meter Chutzenturm, the actual centrepiece of the tour, looms high over the treetops. The reward for climbing the 234 steps to the observation platform is a 360-degree panorama (at least in good weather), including the Alps, Bern with the copper-clad dome of the Federal Parliament building, the lakes of Biel, Neuenburg and Murten, and the Jura mountain chain. Other fascinating sights are the mosaic-like meadows and fields of the Bernese Seeland nearby. Back in the saddle, you follow a rough section down to Frienisberg village with its historic abbey. The Cistercian convent was founded in 1131 and was originally named Aurora. Nowadays it houses a residential care and nursing home.
The road continues relatively flat in western direction, always in sight of Chasseral Mountain. On the westernmost point of Frienisberg, you have the entire Swiss Seeland at your feet. In good weather, the sun is reflected on the three lakes and on the Aare channels, winding their way through the vegetable fields. A fast downhill ride takes you to Lake Wohlen. At its shores, the information boards of Bike Route 888 “Grünes Band Bern” (Green Belt Bern) talk about the history of the hydroelectric power plant. On warm days, it’s a good idea to bring a swimsuit because the lake is publicly accessible at various spots. During the summer months a small bistro is open near Wohlei Bridge and there are plenty of places available for grilling. Continuing along the lake takes you back to Hinterkappelen where the tour ends.
Length | Number of stages
41 km
| 1 Stage
Roads and trails
Asphalted: 31 km
Natural surface: 10 km
Natural surface: 10 km
Ascent | Descent
780 m | 780 m
Fitness level
medium
Arrival | return travel
More …
Push-only passage
Pushing section: approx. 100 m at Wohlensee (steep wooden catwalk in Tuffgraben at Steinisweg).
Diversion, Kirchlindach
Duration
02.03.2023 - 15.04.2023
Reason
Construction & maintenance work
The route is being diverted. Please follow the local signposts. See map for details.
Data source: SwitzerlandMobility / Cantonal office