In the centre of Zweisimmen, charming wooden chalets and numerous shops shape the village’s appearance. A railway line connects Montreux with Zweisimmen and is also associated with the name GoldenPass. Just a few steps from the station, the gondola takes you up to Rinderberg, at 2,079 metres. This gives you two different starting points for planning your trip: a rail connection and direct access to the mountain railway.
Routes with Different Perspectives
The Three Parks Tour runs from Zweisimmen to Gruyères in six stages. Along the way, it offers insights into alpine farming, traditional and creative cheesemaking, and the living tradition of woodcraft. Another route option is a stage of the Grand Tour of Switzerland: it leads from Zweisimmen via Schönried and the historic village of Saanen to the Pays-d'Enhaut. If you plan to travel this stage, check current road conditions and recommended stops.
Church, Museum and Castle Trail
The murals in Zweisimmen Church were rediscovered in 1927 and restored between 1947 and 1951. Since 1951, the church has been protected by the Swiss Confederation as a cultural asset of significant value. The church precinct includes the parish church, ossuary, parish hall and rectory. Concerts are held regularly in the church; it has an organ built by the Geneva organ-building company in 1958, with 23 stops. The concert programme may vary, so check the dates if you are planning to attend a concert.
The Obersimmental Local History Museum has been open to the public in Zweisimmen since 1983. Its exhibition areas include a shoemaker’s workshop and a bedroom with objects from the 18th century. Check the current opening hours before your visit. Along the Castle Trail, 14 information panels provide details about historic sites and buildings along the route. The trail leads to the restored ruins of Mannberg Castle, which evoke the world of the Middle Ages. At the highest point, near the former main castle on Mannenberg, there is a well-maintained barbecue area surrounded by nature; check local information about the facilities before your visit.
Moorland and Waterside Trails
The T6 Sparenmoos Moorland Trail above Zweisimmen leads through a specially protected moorland of outstanding beauty and national importance. You can reach Sparenmoos by train to Zweisimmen and then by hiking taxi. Check the taxi’s operating days and booking requirements in advance. Conditions on the moorland trail may depend on the season and weather, so take this into account when planning your visit.
The Rischbach spring lies above Zweisimmen in a moorland that is a habitat for animals and plants. It is about a 15-minute walk from the station; this is an estimate and walking time depends on conditions. Walking trails run along the banks of the Great and Little Simme near Zweisimmen, and their condition may change after storms or flooding. There is also a covered barbecue area by the Little Simme above the village at MĂĽhleport, suitable for families.
Mountain Activities and Active Days
The Rinderberg-Horneggli area offers views of the Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, Wildstrubel and Diablerets. The Horneggli Panorama Trail is a scenic ridge hike: it passes Hornbergsee and an alpine farm with a shop, and continues to the chairlift to Schönried. In winter, the ski arena between Rinderberg, Saanersloch and Horneggli has more than 105 kilometres of ski runs; the total length of the runs and connections between areas can change with infrastructure and snow conditions. The Rinderberg-Ronda links descents on three mountains and through three valleys in about two hours. The seasonally operated Genuss-Piste Rinderberg ends at the Zweisimmen valley station, 948 metres above sea level. The winter activities in the Skiwelt Gstaad, which is connected to Zweisimmen, also include cross-country ski trails.
The Zweisimmen rope park has five courses of varying difficulty, with playful as well as challenging elements. The elements are four to 20 metres above the ground; the layout may change seasonally. The swimming pool has a diving pool with 1-metre and 3-metre diving boards. The pool’s opening schedule and facilities are seasonal. The paved pump track by Gwatt school, behind the station, is 1.2 metres wide and covers around 1,500 square metres. Waves and steeply banked turns shape the circuit. At the Rinderberg-Spitz mountain restaurant, Olga’s Kuhstall offers seasonal hands-on activities such as milking cows, an egg marble run and a bell game.
Alpine Products and Village Character
Simmental cows grazing on lush pastures shape Zweisimmen’s alpine landscape; mountain cheese is another local feature. Berner Alpkäse AOP is available at Site Alp above Zweisimmen. You can reach the alp on foot via hiking trails or by car. At the Alp Parweng farm, homemade alpine cheese and Nideltäfeli sweets are sold directly from the farm; sales may be seasonal or depend on availability on site.
Discover more destinations: Blankenburg, Matten, Sankt Stephan, Boltigen, Lenk.
Back to the main travel overview: Obersimmental.
