Hiking & nature

Hiking trails in the Kiental Valley

The Kiental Valley is renowned as a starting point for many lovely walks.

Past tumbling waterfalls, you’ll hike along stunning panoramic paths past meadows of scented flowers as you discover the beauty and splendour of the Kiental.

Depending on your mood and the kind of walk you fancy, you can choose from a half or full day’s hike in the valley. Thanks to the Griesalp postbus – known to be Europe’s steepest scheduled bus service – it’s easy to reach the starting point for the walks.

Hiking tips

Selected hiking tips for the Kiental Valley

Day hike from Griesalp to Kiental

Follow the brown hiking signposts from the Griesalp PostBus terminus towards Golderli–Abendberg. The trail first leads to the Golderli mountain inn and continues via Hasenboden, Kanzel and Aabebärg. Via Mittelberg and Spiggengrund, the route descends towards Losplatte and Kiental. From Kiental, the PostBus takes you comfortably back to Reichenbach.

Key data

Hiking route	Griesalp–Golderli–Hasenboden–Kanzel–Aabebärg–Mittelberg–Spiggengrund–Losplatte–Kiental
Distance	9,5 km
Duration	4 hours 30 minutes
Elevation difference	+670 m / -1150 m
Level of difficulty	medium

Griesalp circular hike

From the Griesalp PostBus terminus, follow the brown signposts towards Dündenalp. The trail leads through the impressive mountain landscape of the Griesalp, past alpine meadows and scenic sections towards Bundalp and Oberloch. Continue via Gamchi, Bürgli and Golderli back to Griesalp. Along the way, enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and experience the diverse natural landscape of the Kiental valley. Back at Griesalp, the PostBus takes you to Reichenbach.

Key data

Hiking route	Griesalp–Dündenalp–Bundalp–Oberloch–Gamchi–Bürgli–Golderli–Griesalp
Distance	9,5 km
Duration	4 hours 30 minutes
Elevation difference	+962 m / -962 m
Level of difficulty	medium

Half-day hike “Bärenpfad”

From the “Kiental, Restaurant Alpenruhe” PostBus stop, follow the brown signposts towards Tschingelsee. The trail leads through the forest to Lake Tschingel. After a short section along the lake, you will reach the turn-off for the Bärenpfad. The trail runs alongside rock faces, past a waterfall and up to Gornern. Along the way, views open up towards the Gspaltenhorn, Bütlassen and Blüemlisalp. At the Golderli mountain inn, continue towards the Wildwasserweg. Via Pochtenalp, you will reach the start of the Wildwasserweg. The descent, accompanied by the rushing sound of the streams, takes you past the Hexenkessel to the “Tschingel” PostBus stop. From there, the PostBus takes you back to Reichenbach.

Key data

Hiking route	Alpenruhe–Tschingelsee–Bärenpfad–Golderli–Pochtenalp–Wildwasserweg–Tschingel
Distance	6,6 km
Duration	2 hours 15 minutes
Elevation difference	+ 319 m / – 319 m
Level of difficulty	easy

Kiental Wildwater Trail

The Kiental Wildwater Trail leads from Tschingel in the Kiental valley past deep gorges, thundering waterfalls and steep rock faces up to Griesalp. One of its most striking features is the Hexenkessel, a churning and foaming pool of water. The power of the water can be felt at close quarters, making this natural spectacle an experience for all the senses. The Wildwater Trail is particularly impressive from June to August, when the volume of water is especially high due to snowmelt. More water also flows after heavy rainfall. The trail includes steps and can also easily be walked in the opposite direction.

Hiking time

Tschingel–Griesalp	1 hour
Griesalp–Tschingel	35 minutes
Distance	approx. 2 km
Elevation difference	+250 m
Level of difficulty	easy

Hike through the Hohtürli Pass

From the Kiental valley to Lake Oeschinen. After an adventurous PostBus ride along Europe’s steepest PostBus route from Kandersteg to Griesalp, the mountain hike leads up to the pass and the Blüemlisalp Hut at 2,778 metres above sea level. From there, you can enjoy magnificent views of the glaciers on the northern flank of the Blüemlisalp. On the other side of the Hohtürli Pass, the hiking trail descends to the deep-blue waters of Lake Oeschinen.

Key data

Hiking route	Griesalp–Hohtürli–Kandersteg
Distance	13 km
Duration	7 hours
Elevation difference	+ 1.540 m / – 1.270 m
Level of difficulty	medium

Hike through the Hohtürli Pass

Alpine farming and nature educational trail

On the Alpine farming and nature educational trail, you can learn about nature and about the lifestyle and work of the mountain farmers on the Griesalp. At the information points along the way, by using all your senses – reading, seeing, feeling and hearing – you’ll discover interesting facts about the flora and fauna, geology, mountain forests, mountain streams, Alpine farming and Alpine cheese production. Thanks to the book that accompanies the educational trail, you can read more about all of these things when you get back home. You can purchase the book for CHF 12.00 from the Kiental tourist office.

The trail is signposted from the Griesalp postbus terminus. Follow the blue logo of the Alpine nature trail.

Walking time for the Alpine educational trail half-day walk: 1 hr. 30 min. (4 km, elevation difference 100 metres).
Walking time for the Alpine educational trail day walk: 4 hr. 30 min. (7.5 km, elevation difference 500 metres).

Alpine farming and nature educational trail

Availability Today (Tuesday) open

The Kiental hiking trails can be followed from late May to mid-October every day.

Subject to change without prior notice

Rates

CHF 20.40 Adults
free of charge Adults with GA travelcard
CHF 10.20 Adults with Half-Fare travelcard
CHF 10.20 Children up to the age of 16
free of charge Children up to the age of 16 with Junior travelcard

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

Food & drink

Several mountain guesthouses and hotels on Griesalp offer accommodation and rest stops.

Accommodation options Griesalp
Restaurants Reichenbach, Kiental and Scharnachtal

BLS suggestion

Kien Zappel circular trail

The Kien Zappel circular trail is based on the story “Dr Zouberwicht Kien Zappu” (“The Magic Dwarf of Kien Zappu”) by fairytale writer Barbara Burren. The trail has been specifically designed for families with pre-school-age children. Both young and old visitors will discover the special nature of the landscape and gain ideas for simple, well-known and new games. The circular trail leads from the mountain station of the Ramslauenen chair lift across Alpine meadows and through a mystical forest to the Underbachli stream and then back to the mountain station.

“Guggerwäg”

Together with the cuckoo, discover the animals of the Kiental valley. On the “Guggerwäg”, gamekeeper Paul Schmid and the Hunting Inspectorate present individual animals from the Kiental valley in various display cases. The presentations are interesting for both children and adults and offer a wonderful experience of nature. The hike leads from the Ramslauenen mountain station via Lengschwendi to Alperue and takes around 1.5 hours