In Diemtigen, you can combine hikes with insights into a long history of architecture: trails lead through the landscape and past historic houses, while alpine farms offer a glimpse into cheese-making in summer. Which tour is right for you depends on whether you want to follow the valley and its waterways, explore geological themes or focus on the houses of the Diemtigtal.
Choose trails by theme and duration
The valley hiking trail follows the Fildrich and Chirel waterways. Along the way, eleven bridges take you through shady forests and past flowering meadows. Those interested in how the mountain landscape was formed can explore themes such as mountains and valleys, glaciers and water, and rock and stone on the geopfad trail around the Wiriehorn. The routes therefore have different focuses: one highlights the landscape and waterways, while another explores the region’s geological history.
The three Diemtigtal House Trails are designed as half-day hikes to the historic houses of the Diemtigtal. Together, they cover just over 30 kilometres and are divided into three circular routes, each taking around three to three and a half hours to walk. Brown signposts mark the house trails, and the houses visited have additional numbered brown plaques. Check distances and trail conditions for the season before planning your hike.
One individual circular hike is the 10-kilometre Tschuggen Alpine Hiking Trail in the front part of the Diemtigtal. It starts at Oey-Diemtigen railway station, leads to Diemtigen and then climbs towards the Tschuggen viewpoint. This gives you a way to compare the stated length of this loop with the three house trails, whose distances and walking times are provided for each route.
Experience the village and its architectural heritage
The village of Diemtigen, together with its church, forms the historic centre. Diemtigen is the only settlement in the municipality located entirely on the left side of the valley. In 1986, the municipality received the Henri-Louis-Wakker Prize from the Swiss Heritage Society in recognition of its carefully maintained and vibrant architectural heritage. Elsewhere in the Diemtigtal, a traditional scattered settlement shapes the cultural landscape; its well-preserved houses reflect 300 years of carpentry craftsmanship.
The «Vorderes Tal» house trail passes Styg on its way into the village and then goes by numerous impressive houses. The Styg house was built in 1789 by Captain and Landseckelmeister Jakob Mani as the first Ründi house in Diemtigen. At the Moser house, the central section dates from the 16th century, and a building inscription on the northern extension is dated 1647. The Hirschen inn was established around 1800 as an inn; its double-flight outdoor staircase and richly decorated Ründi façade are among its recorded architectural features.
The church can also be placed in the context of several historical periods: dedicated to Saints Nicholas and Catherine, it was first mentioned in 1314. The present building was completed before the middle of the 15th century. It is a Romanesque hall church with a recessed rectangular choir and a tower rising above it. The rectory was built in 1781/82, at the same time as the church was enlarged. The Hasenburg ruins, also known as Diemtigen Castle or Grimmenstein, lie northeast of the village on higher ground and were founded in the 13th century as the seat of power in the Diemtigtal. The approach starts at the northeastern edge of the village and takes about 20 minutes.
Nature park, exhibition and seasonal alpine culture
The entire municipality of Diemtigen lies within the Diemtigtal Regional Nature Park, which also extends across part of the municipality of Zweisimmen. The cultural landscapes and forests of the Diemtigtal are areas for hiking and recreation. Lake Aegelsee lies near Diemtigenbergli and is surrounded by a nature reserve and moorland; you can continue on foot from the area around the lake.
The «Diemtigtal Birdlife» exhibition presents a large part of the region’s birdlife through displayed animal specimens. Public guided tours, excursions and talks are available for individuals and groups. The exhibition is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and admission is free, with donations welcome. Check the opening information before you travel.
In summer, various alpine farms in the Diemtigtal offer cheese-making tours or brunch on the alp. Visitors can see how Diemtigtal alpine cheese is made. Available year-round are Seeberg alpine cheese, Kiley goat cheese, Diemtigtal mountain milk and Diemtigtal mountain cheese. The village bakehouse was built in 1781; from October to May, it is heated once a month to bake loaves and braided bread. As dates may change, it is worth checking the announced schedule.
Getting to the village and hiking trails
Oey-Diemtigen railway station is on the Spiez–Zweisimmen line. From there, the PostBus runs to the «Diemtigen, Dorf» stop. You can also reach Oey-Diemtigen station from Bern by Regio-Express; depending on the hiking route, PostBuses continue from there to the relevant starting points. If you want to coordinate your train journey with the start of your hike, check the timetable before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Grimmialp, Weissenburg, Erlenbach in the Simmental, Oberwil in the Simmental, Wimmis, Horboden, Faulensee, Därstetten.
See the main travel overview: Niedersimmental.
