Wahlern Church stands on a hill spur northeast of the village of Schwarzenburg and is visible from afar. In Schwarzenburg, historic landmarks such as the church, castle and chapel meet walking and e-bike activities. The town is in the Canton of Bern and belongs to the Bern-Mittelland administrative district.
Church, castle and chapel
Wahlern Church can be clearly dated to the Romanesque period of the 12th or 13th century. It is open during the day from 09:00 to 18:00; check the opening hours again before your arrival.
Schwarzenburg Castle was the seat of the bailiffs and later the district governors. It was built in 1573–76 to replace Grasburg Castle. Its construction history complements the view of the church with insight into the castle’s administrative role. Another architectural highlight is Chäppeli Schwarzenburg: the chapel dates from 1463 and has a unique pyramidal tower.
Tradition, figures and regional heritage
Since 1970, the Schwarzenburg farmers’ horse races have been held in Häusern on the natural arena directly below Wahlern Church. The programme includes flat races with and without saddles, trotting races, skijoring, and relay races with riders and bikers. Programme formats may vary from one edition to the next. The event’s long tradition and varied competitions give it a distinctive cultural character.
Another discovery takes you through the village: the Schwarzenburg Gnome Trail features ten imaginative concrete sculptures and sculpture groups. The Gantrisch Regional Museum focuses on the region’s ethnographic, historical and cultural heritage, from the Sense to the Gürbetal. Guided tours and events are available at any time on request; please arrange your visit in advance. At the Naturpark-Lädeli in Schwarzenburg Castle, you’ll find a selection of regional products, including syrup, punch, honey, herbs, teas, quinoa and pasta.
Hiking and the Legends Route
If you’re looking for a short hike, the Spycherweg can be enjoyed year-round. The Gantrisch 333 Legends Route offers a different distance and mode of transport: this e-bike route is around 50 kilometres long and includes five legend stations. It is signposted throughout with Veloland route markers. From Fribourg, Route 4 leads to the Legends Route welcome point in Schwarzenburg.
Grasburg also combines history with a specific hike: the ruins stand on a rocky spur above the Sense, with views from there over the freely flowing river. Grasburg can be reached from Schwarzenburg Castle in around forty minutes on foot. This gives you an approximate walking time without conflating the route with the shorter or longer options.
Other hikes offer different highlights. The hike from Guggisberg to Schwarzenburg follows scenic trails past Guggishörnli and offers views of the Schwarzenburgerland. The hike from Wattenwil to Schwarzenburg is part of the Swiss Way of St. James. This lets you choose between a scenic hike and a route connected to the Way of St. James, without assuming they share the same focus.
Discover more destinations: RĂĽschegg, Guggisberg, Schwarzenburg, Sangernboden. Emmental, Signau, Neuenstadt, Wangen.
For the overview of the wider region: Bern.
