Hiking & nature

Hike to Hostalde Suspension Bridge

Your hike to the Hostalde Suspension Bridge includes walking across one of the longest bridges of its kind in Europe (153 metres).

The pedestrian suspension bridge hovers 38 metres above the Engstlige mountain stream and its surrounding meadowscape. So it’s only for those who don’t suffer from vertigo!

Route description

Hike to Hostalde Suspension Bridge

Enjoy the diversity of the landscape as you hike from Frutigen train station, via Künzistegstrasse, to the Hostalde Suspension Bridge. The route is well sign-posted and leads you through a floodplain that has been designated as a site of national importance. Along the route you will discover wooden sculptures and works of art on the theme of nature by local sculptor Johann Inniger. There is much to discover for your children too on the hiking trail along the mountain stream.

Shortly before you arrive at the bridge, the path climbs steeply for a short distance, and then, at street level, the 153-metre-long suspension bridge awaits your crossing. Enjoy breathing the fresh mountain air as you take in the views spanning both ends of the valley at a lofty height of 38 metres. Once you’ve crossed the bridge, you will find the “Hängebrügg-Beizli”, run by the Wäfler family, on the other side. This cosy pub spoils visiting hikers with meat and cheese platters, fondue or homemade cakes.

The quickest way back to Frutigen train station is by AFA bus, line 230, from “Frutigen, Hostalde” (right by the bridge). You can also hike back again along the wooden sculpture trail, or choose the historically more interesting option via Tellenburg, an imposing 13th-century ruin, with views over the Kander viaduct and its impressive arches, which is over 100 years old.

The hiking trail

Walking time	1 hour15 mins / 2 hours 45mins
Distance	5.5 km / 9.6 km
Altitude	134 metres
Degree of difficulty	easy
Starting point	The station at Frutigen
End point	Hostalde Suspension Bridge / Frutigen station

Hostalde Suspension Bridge

To cross the bridge you should not be suffering from vertigo.

Span	155 m
Height	38 m
Mnimum width	65 cm

Availability Today (Sunday) open

The hiking trail and the suspension bridge are accessible all year round.

“Hängebrügg-Beizli” opening hours

Open all year round
Tues.–Sun. 09.00–17.00 hours

Also opens in the evening if a reservation is made by phone:

+41 33 671 15 83

Subject to change without prior notice

Rates

CHF 1.00 Crossing the suspension bridge*

* payment only required if no food or beverages are purchased in the Beizli.

Prices in CHF incl. VAT / Prices and products subject to alteration

How to get there

Take the train to Frutigen. From the railway station, the AFA bus number 230 towards Adelboden will take you to the “Widi” stop. Or you can walk directly to Künzistegstrasse, where the well-signposted shoreline trail alongside the River Engstligen begins.

For the return journey, take the AFA bus directly by the suspension bridge (“Hohstalden” stop), which will carry you to Frutigen Railway Station in 8 minutes.