Hiking

Trans Swiss Trail
Stage 8, Murten–Laupen

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Trans Swiss Trail
Stage 8, Murten–Laupen
Leisurely over the rolling hills of the Fribourg Mittelland. Shady forest sections interchange with open asphalted village sections. The confluence of the Saane and Sense rivers is a near-to-nature experience.
The town of Murten on the German-French language border is the starting point of this rather short hike to Laupen. The lakeside promenade is delightful, the view over lake Murten, the Mont Vully hills and the Jura mountain range behind is magnificent. Leaving the residential area and passing a school complex, the path enters a small wood. Then you hike along vast expanses of farmland with views over the fields towards the lake and the Jura, followed by the Galm forest, which you cross all the way to Liebisdorf. Did you know why the Galm state forest is quite unique? It is the property of the State of Fribourg and forms its own geographical municipality, but without inhabitants.
Having now been on the road for over two hours, a few minutes later you reach the lovely Auried nature reserve. For 30 years it was nothing but a gravel pit in a former loop of the Saane river. When the material was removed, dry sandbanks, clay pools, cool backwaters and impenetrable shrub willows re-emerged - all typical habitats of the natural floodplain. Depending on the season, you can listen to the frogs' concerts here.
The Saane river meanders through the valley, sometimes calmly, sometimes rushing. Thus, trees are uprooted and gravel islands are removed so that they can reappear somewhere else. The river forms new side arms and swamps the floodplain forest. The power of the water creates a mosaic of the most diverse habitats; the floodplains are therefore the landscapes with the greatest variety of species in Europe. Only a few minutes later, you can admire the impressive confluence of the Sense and Saane rivers. The entertaining hike ends at the railway station in Laupen, with its castle enthroned on a sandstone cliff.
Having now been on the road for over two hours, a few minutes later you reach the lovely Auried nature reserve. For 30 years it was nothing but a gravel pit in a former loop of the Saane river. When the material was removed, dry sandbanks, clay pools, cool backwaters and impenetrable shrub willows re-emerged - all typical habitats of the natural floodplain. Depending on the season, you can listen to the frogs' concerts here.
The Saane river meanders through the valley, sometimes calmly, sometimes rushing. Thus, trees are uprooted and gravel islands are removed so that they can reappear somewhere else. The river forms new side arms and swamps the floodplain forest. The power of the water creates a mosaic of the most diverse habitats; the floodplains are therefore the landscapes with the greatest variety of species in Europe. Only a few minutes later, you can admire the impressive confluence of the Sense and Saane rivers. The entertaining hike ends at the railway station in Laupen, with its castle enthroned on a sandstone cliff.
Leisurely over the rolling hills of the Fribourg Mittelland. Shady forest sections interchange with open asphalted village sections. The confluence of the Saane and Sense rivers is a near-to-nature experience.
The town of Murten on the German-French language border is the starting point of this rather short hike to Laupen. The lakeside promenade is delightful, the view over lake Murten, the Mont Vully hills and the Jura mountain range behind is magnificent. Leaving the residential area and passing a school complex, the path enters a small wood. Then you hike along vast expanses of farmland with views over the fields towards the lake and the Jura, followed by the Galm forest, which you cross all the way to Liebisdorf. Did you know why the Galm state forest is quite unique? It is the property of the State of Fribourg and forms its own geographical municipality, but without inhabitants.
Having now been on the road for over two hours, a few minutes later you reach the lovely Auried nature reserve. For 30 years it was nothing but a gravel pit in a former loop of the Saane river. When the material was removed, dry sandbanks, clay pools, cool backwaters and impenetrable shrub willows re-emerged - all typical habitats of the natural floodplain. Depending on the season, you can listen to the frogs' concerts here.
The Saane river meanders through the valley, sometimes calmly, sometimes rushing. Thus, trees are uprooted and gravel islands are removed so that they can reappear somewhere else. The river forms new side arms and swamps the floodplain forest. The power of the water creates a mosaic of the most diverse habitats; the floodplains are therefore the landscapes with the greatest variety of species in Europe. Only a few minutes later, you can admire the impressive confluence of the Sense and Saane rivers. The entertaining hike ends at the railway station in Laupen, with its castle enthroned on a sandstone cliff.
Having now been on the road for over two hours, a few minutes later you reach the lovely Auried nature reserve. For 30 years it was nothing but a gravel pit in a former loop of the Saane river. When the material was removed, dry sandbanks, clay pools, cool backwaters and impenetrable shrub willows re-emerged - all typical habitats of the natural floodplain. Depending on the season, you can listen to the frogs' concerts here.
The Saane river meanders through the valley, sometimes calmly, sometimes rushing. Thus, trees are uprooted and gravel islands are removed so that they can reappear somewhere else. The river forms new side arms and swamps the floodplain forest. The power of the water creates a mosaic of the most diverse habitats; the floodplains are therefore the landscapes with the greatest variety of species in Europe. Only a few minutes later, you can admire the impressive confluence of the Sense and Saane rivers. The entertaining hike ends at the railway station in Laupen, with its castle enthroned on a sandstone cliff.
Length
15 km
Ascent | Descent
280 m | 240 m
Hiking time
3 h 40 min
Grade | Fitness level
easy
(hiking trail)
|
medium
Arrival | return travel
Hints
Arrival | return travel
Contact
Signpost management
The Union fribourgeoise du Tourisme is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the hiking signposts and blazes on behalf of the canton.
Union fribourgeoise du Tourisme
Case postale 1560
1701 Fribourg
information@fribourgregion.ch
www.fribourgregion.ch