Gantrisch Nature Park

A Swiss tradition straight out of a fairytale: When the farmers return to the valley with their cattle after having spent the summer months in the alps, the town of Plaffeien hosts a popular celebration known as the Alpabzug. And what would alpine festivities be without traditional alpine cheeses? The Bern region has plenty of village and farm shops that sell the delicious regional speciality.

If you know what “XC skiing” means, this is the event for you: in January, the Gurnigel pass in the Gantrisch Nature Park becomes the setting for the Gantrisch Loppet, an annual cross-country skiing competition. Athletes of all ages compete over 20 or 11 kilometres on perfectly primed loipes. Younger participants can gather first racing experiences in the Mini or Mini category.

From April to November, the hills in the Gantrisch Nature Park come alive with the sound of music: this year, the Klangantrisch music festival is celebrating its 10^th anniversary with jazz, classical, pop and experimental sounds. Concerts range from performances in stately Schwarzenburg Castle to intimate evenings in the church in Rüeschegg. Great music in a spectacular natural setting – what’s not to love?

If you enjoy a hearty breakfast and regional products, make sure you try the brunch at Horbermatt Farm. Crispy bread and buttery “Züpfe” (plait) made using the farm’s own flour as well tasty dry-fermented sausage, salami and regional dried meat from their cattle are served, along with homemade jam, warm “Rösti” (similar to hashbrowns) and fried eggs. The butter and cheese are also locally produced.

“Made in Gantrisch” are not just empty words. Be it flour from the renowned Dittligmühle mill in Längenbühl, creamy cheese from the Aeby family’s dairy in Plaffeien, or sweet honey from the Höhener honey farm in Mühleturnen: at least 80 percent of the ingredients used for Gantrisch products must come from the park.

If you’re enjoying the beautiful Gantrisch Nature Park as much as we think you will, prolong your visit and stay at one of the many charming accommodations in the region. Be it a rustic inn, a cosy holiday cottage, a practical campsite or an idyllic farmhouse apartment: the Nature Park has accommodations to suit every taste.

The Gantrisch Nature Park is ideal for cross-country skiing. Fans of the sport can enjoy the 45 kilometres of excellent trails on 1,450 to 1,650 meters above sea level. Snow is guaranteed – and you have the best view of the snow-capped mountains. And don’t worry if you don’t have your own equipment. There are three places in the area where you can rent everything you need.

Crunching snow underfoot, moments of peace, views of snowy forests and alpine meadows: snowshoeing in the Gantrisch Nature Park is a magical winter experience. Enjoy untouched nature, far from the everyday hustle and bustle. Whether you prefer marked routes at a relaxed pace or adventurous guided tours, there’s something for everyone.

Discover the abundance of stories and myths in the Gantrisch Nature Park and get to know the unique character of the beautiful region. The “Tales of the Gantrisch” E-bike Route offers legendary inns, fairytale forests, mystical gorges, and scenic experience sites where you can hear or read about the tales of the region at their origin.

Take a walk on the boardwalk: the Gäggersteg, a walkway made of wood, takes visitors up through the trees of the forest reserve by the Pfyffe, a local mountain in the Gantrisch Nature Park. The impressions and beautiful landscape will give you the energy boost you need to discover the entire family-friendly, themed path. The walkway is made from local wood and stands at up to eight metres above the ground, leading visitors through a forest that was almost completely destroyed by storm Lothar in 1999. Learn how nature has been recovering on the two-hour loop hike with its eight themed stations on the topics of forest, wind, and roots. There’s even a small reward that awaits at the end.

Staring off into space has never been so much fun! The Space Eye comprises the largest publicly accessible telescope in the country, an 8k high-end planetarium and different exhibitions on the topics of space and the environment. Its multimedia visitor centre is devoted to current research topics. And on the way to the Space Eye, you’ll walk along an entertaining themed trail. Sounds like a perfect day out to us!

Whether a night-time hike under the stars, a llama trek or a themed tour on the regional flora: the guided tours and excursions in the Gantrisch Nature Park offer exciting insights into nature, culture and history. Over 30 exciting offers invite families, groups and individuals to discover the diversity and beauty of the region. A true highlight of any visit.