Kehrsatz lies between Gurten, Längenberg and the Aare. When planning your trip, you can choose from a range of focuses: local history, puzzle trails and outdoor activities. The Kehrsatz circular trail shares interesting facts about the past and present of various village sites; the Gürbetal Höhenweg, by contrast, is a moderately difficult hike lasting around five and a half hours. If you choose Kehrsatz for a stay, you can first decide whether to focus on village history, a puzzle activity or a longer day of hiking.
Cultural history from the Bronze Age to country estates
Kehrsatz was first mentioned in a document in 1281 under the name “Kersaz”. Extensive Bronze Age settlement remains were discovered in Kehrsatz/Chlywabere. This means the documented history of the village goes back much further than its first written mention.
The Lohn estate was built in 1782/83 as an elegant country residence for the ten-member Bernese patrician family of Beat Emanuel and Marie Charlotte von Tscharner. Numerous heads of state and other official guests were received there. The estate is classified as a category A cultural asset of national importance in the KGS inventory. Important for planning your visit: the Lohn estate cannot be used from October 2026 to mid-2029 because of renovation work.
Schlössli Kehrsatz also offers a glimpse into the architectural history of the village. It is a former patrician country estate with a renovated annex that combines historic architecture with modern structures. The two country estates therefore offer different ways to explore Kehrsatz’s architectural heritage.
Circular trail, puzzles and activities in the village
Along the Kehrsatz circular trail, 18 illustrated information panels explain the history of individual sites. These include Blumenhof, Lohn and the Ecumenical Centre with Andreaskirche. The church is integrated into the centre, which is jointly run by the Reformed parish of Kehrsatz and the Catholic parish of St. Michael Wabern-Kehrsatz. As well as historic buildings, the circular trail therefore offers insight into the centre’s joint management.
The digital SmarTrail Kehrsatz leads to various places in the municipality and is aimed at families with children of preschool and primary school age. Another activity is the Kehrsatz–Gurten puzzle trail: it is particularly suitable for a family outing and is played in scavenger hunt mode. Both activities involve puzzles, but differ in the format described.
SK8 CHÄSITZ is located at the northern entrance to the village and has been open to children, young people and adults since summer 2021. Sportcenter Kehrsatz offers tennis, badminton, pickleball and table tennis. Check booking requirements and availability for these sports before travelling.
Planning for hiking, cycling and the seasons
Leisure activities in Kehrsatz include walks on Gurten, cycling tours along the Aare and hikes through the Moos. The Gürbetal Höhenweg offers a clearly described longer day hike: it starts at Kehrsatz railway station and ends at Thurnen railway station. The moderately difficult route is 18.2 kilometres long and takes around 5 hours and 30 minutes, with 553 metres of ascent and 597 metres of descent.
The Höhenweg runs mainly along natural paths, with some paved sections in between. Along the way, it passes through a varied cultural landscape of green meadows, arable fields and stately farmhouses. Kehrsatz can be reached by train from Bern or Thun for the route. As trail conditions and signage can change, check both before your hiking day; you can also check the train timetable in advance. At around five and a half hours, the Höhenweg makes for a separate, longer activity and is clearly distinct from visiting the village sites.
The Chäsitzerlouf may also be a deciding factor for a spring stay: this running event takes place every year in spring in Kehrsatz. If you want to plan your travel dates around it, check the specific event date. That way, you can take the season and your preferred focus—running event, village history or hiking—into account when planning your stay.
Discover more destinations: Riggisberg, Gerzensee, Wattenwil, Rüeggisberg, Belp, Rüti Bei Riggisberg, Niedermuhlern, Burgistein
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