The Matten–Gfell–St. Stephan–Matten cycling tour and the hiking route from Lenk offer different types of routes: one loops back to Matten, while the other runs from Lenk via Boden and Schadauli into the village. Simmental building culture and seasonal craft activities round out the experience – when planning, it is worth considering routes and visiting conditions separately.

Cycling and Walking

On the Matten–Gfell–St. Stephan–Matten circular tour, an asphalt climb towards the Färmel Valley is followed by a gravel road to Gfell. On the way back from St. Stephan, the route follows a flat cycle path across the former military airfield to Matten. The surface is gravel or asphalt throughout, and the tour has no technical difficulties. The flat return describes the section from St. Stephan to Matten, not the entire circuit.

If you prefer hiking, you can choose a route from Lenk to Matten: it starts at the Boden railway stop, leads across fields and through the forest to Schadauli, and then follows a small road to Matten. Another circular hike goes around Matten in the Lenk-Simmental area. This gives you a choice of two different route types: a hiking route into the village and a circular route around Matten.

Matten near St. Stephan is served by rail. From Matten, St. Stephan railway station, hikers can take the train back to their starting point. If you would like to use this option for your tour, check the timetable for your chosen day.

Färmel Valley and Alpine Pastures

In the St. Stephan and Matten region, hikers and nature enthusiasts can explore the Färmel Valley and lush Alpine pastures in summer. The Färmel Valley is sparsely populated and characterised by traditional houses and a secluded setting. This gives you two distinct options when planning: a cycling tour with clearly named sections or a summer excursion into the valley and Alpine pasture landscape.

Simmental Building Culture in Matten

The Matten (St. Stephan) section of the Simmental House Trail includes the farmhouse at Lenkstrasse 117. Dating from around 1675, it has three wide front rooms and carved friezes. The residential house at Lenkstrasse 116 offers a different architectural touch: its façade is plain and symmetrical, and it was restored in 1979. The examples therefore differ in their specific architectural features and individual histories.

Traditional customs also form part of the region’s cultural identity: in Matten and St. Stephan, local residents practise and maintain mountain farming and yodelling. Together with the houses described above, they offer a theme encompassing both historic architecture and contemporary traditions.

Seasonal Craft Activities

Towel weaving is offered as part of the Webatelier Obersimmental’s summer and autumn programme for 2026 at Dorfstrasse 19, 3773 Matten (St. Stephan); check the seasonal dates in advance. A visit to Therese Griessen’s papercutting studio is possible by appointment. Check availability before your visit so you can plan for the two activities and their different conditions.

Discover more destinations: Sankt Stephan, Lenk, Boltigen, Zweisimmen.

Back to the main travel overview: Obersimmental.