A stay in Tschingel Ob Gunten can be planned around a range of hiking themes: one route starts in the village on the sunny terrace above Lake Thun, the Gummischlucht gorge offers a short hike with observation points, and a circular route connects several villages. The Zweitjänner is another living tradition. When looking for a holiday apartment, your preferred focus can therefore make the difference: hiking straight from Tschingel, nature observation or a cultural theme tied to a specific date.
Hiking trails from Tschingel and a circular route
The “On the sunny terrace above Lake Thun” hike starts in Tschingel, one of the small, sun-drenched villages on the terrace above Lake Thun. Check current trail conditions before setting out. A circular route runs from Sigriswil via the Guntenschlucht gorge, Aeschlen, Tschingel, Margel, Schwanden Säge, Schlieregg, Zälg, Wiler and Endorf, and back to Sigriswil. This gives you two different types of route to choose from: a hike starting in Tschingel or a circular route that returns to Sigriswil and links several places in sequence. When planning, also take the respective starting point into account.
Gummischlucht gorge: a short hike with observation points
The short hike through the Gummischlucht gorge takes about 45 minutes and covers around 120 metres of elevation gain. Its observation points focus on birds, Nagelfluh conglomerate, gorge forest and botanical features. Points 2 and 5 are particularly suitable for birdwatching; the gorge as a whole is home to around 20 bird species. Large stones lie in the streambed, including erratic boulders that a glacier transported here during one of the last ice ages and left behind as it retreated. The forest provides a place to relax and protects hikers from falling rocks and landslides. The route thus combines a manageable time commitment with several subjects to observe along the way.
The Zweitjänner tradition and local history
The centuries-old Zweitjänner tradition is observed in the municipality of Sigriswil, including in Tschingel Ob Gunten. On 2 January, people dressed in costume go from house to house as Neujahrer. For anyone who wants to include the tradition in their travel plans, it offers a specific cultural point of interest at the start of the year. The place name also has a story: Tschingel is derived from the Latin “Cingulum” (“belt”). One geological feature is the Tschingelfluh, a particularly striking Nagelfluh conglomerate cliff below the hamlet of Tschingel that drops down towards the Guntenbach stream.
Hiking area and views
The Sigriswil hiking area offers views across Lake Thun towards the Alpine landscape of the Bernese Oberland. It has 114 kilometres of hiking trails and 40 kilometres of mountain hiking trails. From the Blueme observation tower, the panorama stretches from the Jura mountains in the north to the Bernese Alps. The tower stands on a hill visible from far away; one local historical interpretation places a former Hochwacht, also known as a Chutzen, there. For a break, there are two barbecue areas and benches for around 30 people by the observation tower. Their availability may vary from time to time.
Getting there by bus
Tschingel ob Gunten, Dorf, is accessible by bus from Thun, with a change in Oberhofen or Sigriswil. To hike through the Gummischlucht gorge, travel by public transport via Thun or Interlaken to Sigriswil Dorf. Check the current timetable before travelling and match your destination to the hike you have planned.
Discover more destinations: Uetendorf, Thun, Goldiwil (Thun), Amsoldingen, Aeschlen Ob Gunten, Forst bei Längenbühl, Hilterfingen, Heimberg
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