The castle park, lakeside and vineyard give Oberhofen a three-part blend of culture and landscape. The castle park was redesigned around 1850 and divided into an inner castle garden with flower beds and a park with paths, meadows and groups of trees. Its location on the northern shore of Lake Thun also shapes the village: Oberhofen stretches from the lakeshore up to wooded slopes, which offer views of the Alps, lake and valley. When choosing accommodation, you can decide whether you are mainly interested in the castle’s history and museum, activities on the lake, or a combination of the two.
Oberhofen Castle Park and History
Around 1850, the Counts of Pourtalès began transforming the former orchard at Oberhofen Castle. Geometrically arranged flower beds were created in the inner castle garden, while the park was laid out with paths, meadows and groups of trees. Four exotic giant sequoias and an arbor of hornbeams define its appearance. This history of design gives the green space a distinct cultural significance, rather than making it merely a backdrop by the lake.
The village’s history goes back a long way: Oberhofen was first mentioned in a document in 1133, and Oberhofen Castle is connected to the region’s aristocratic past. An exhibition in the castle traces more than 800 years of history through its former residents. An interactive display also shows a workplace used by the household staff and how a kitchen functioned during the transition from the 19th to the 20th century.
MUMM and the Historical Walking Tour
MUMM—the Museum of Clocks and Mechanical Musical Instruments—offers an insight into 300 years of Bernese clockmaking. Its collection includes around a hundred objects spanning at least five centuries, including early barrel organs, music boxes and a player piano. The focus on mechanical musical instruments complements clockmaking with another form of finely calibrated technology. Visits to MUMM are by prior arrangement and include expert guidance and demonstrations of antique mechanical instruments. Check the visit details in advance.
The Oberhofen historical walking tour takes visitors to local sights with short descriptions, a map and information panels on site. Stops include the group of buildings comprising the church, rectory and OfehĂĽsi. The hall church was enlarged and rebuilt in 1727 over the foundations of four previous churches. The tour therefore combines finding your way around the village with learning about individual buildings and local history, while MUMM offers a more in-depth museum visit.
Activities on Lake Thun and for Children
The seasonal Oberhofen lido has a five-metre-high diving tower for jumping into Lake Thun. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are also available to rent there; availability may vary. If you are planning a swim or water activity, check the latest opening and rental details before your visit.
For children, the Knights’ Trail offers a playful introduction to the Middle Ages and the history of the castles on Lake Thun. After training as pages, children set off on a knightly journey to another castle, where they train as squires during their second castle visit. This is different from museum visits and the historical walking tour: the focus here is on taking part in a knight-themed programme. Details of the activities may change.
Boat trips may also be part of your travel plans: the route runs from Interlaken West via Spiez, Gunten, Oberhofen and Hilterfingen, as well as other places, to Thun. As routes and timetables can change seasonally, check the timetable for your planned day of travel. Bus routes connect Oberhofen with Thun and other nearby places. Thun railway station, close by, offers connections to regional and national rail services.
Oberhofen Vineyard and Wine
The terraced “I de Müüre” vineyard lies above the historic Heidenhaus. You can walk through the vineyard while enjoying views of Lake Thun. This adds a stroll connected with winegrowing and the landscape to your stay in the village. Visitors can enjoy local red and white wine from Oberhofen at the Oberhofen Winegrowers’ Cooperative. The cooperative holds a public wine sale at the Heidenhaus on Thursdays; check the latest sales details before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Aeschlen ob Gunten, Forst bei Längenbühl, Thun, Heiligenschwendi, Thierachern, Goldiwil (Thun), Blumenstein, Eriz.
Return to the main travel overview: Thun.
