Gwatt on Lake Thun brings together a range of natural and cultural attractions: reeds, marshland and diverse habitats shape the protected areas, while the church and castle ruins represent different eras. Destinations in the wider Thun region add to the choice. These highlights are useful for planning your trip because they appeal to different interests, from nature watching and history to lakeside activities.
Nature Reserves and Habitats
Gwattlischenmoos is a cantonal nature reserve and a fen of national importance. It covers around 18 hectares and, alongside Weissenau near Interlaken, is the largest continuous area of reeds and marshland on Lake Thun. Its extensive lakeshore includes both terrestrial and aquatic reed beds. The area is an important breeding, resting and wintering site for waterbirds. Its importance as a protected area therefore encompasses both its characteristic lakeshore vegetation and its role as a habitat during different parts of the year.
Gwattmösli offers a different kind of natural landscape: open water, grassland and hillside marshes form a mosaic that is home to around 20 dragonfly species. Because of its central location in the Thun urban area, it is accessible to a wide section of the population and is suitable for field observations by school classes. Those interested in observing nature will find another, differently structured habitat here alongside the reed and marshland of Gwattlischenmoos. Local conditions may change; check access before your visit.
Church and Castle Ruins: Different Eras
Gwatt Church in Thun was built in 1955–56 by Franz Wenger in the modernist architectural style of the 1950s. Its furnishings include a pulpit with wooden sculptures by Eugen Jordi. The construction period, architect and artistic detail each offer a different way to appreciate the building: the church represents the modernist architectural style of its time, while the sculptures are a distinct work of wood art.
The medieval Strättligburg castle ruins above the Thun district of Gwatt have a much older history. They date from the 13th century and were the ancestral seat of the Barons of Strättligen. After the castle was destroyed, a powder tower was built on the site in 1699. This sequence distinguishes the medieval castle complex from the site's later use. The ruins can be reached via a stone staircase, and from there you can enjoy views of the deep-blue Lake Thun. As access conditions may change, it is advisable to check before setting out.
Lakeside Paths and Excursions in the Thun Region
In the wider area around Gwatt, Bonstettenpark in Thun is a year-round public recreation area right on the shore of deep-blue Lake Thun. The park offers green lawns, barbecue areas and an adventure playground for children. You can enjoy a long walk through the park and along the lake throughout the year. Numerous benches beneath shady trees line the way. Bonstettenpark is therefore a place both for lakeside activity and for taking time to relax.
The ViaBerna long-distance hiking trail offers a different perspective on the landscape. It leads from Thun through park-like lakeside scenery towards Gwatt, then continues through meadows and forests to Spiez. The route thus moves from lakeside scenery to a landscape shaped by meadows and woodland. For planning purposes, this trail can be considered a longer route through the landscape; specific walking times or distances are not provided.
For the overview of the wider trip: Thun.
