Hiking where the pile dwellers lived

The hike begins at Moosseedorf station, from where you follow the signpost towards Jegenstorf. After crossing Bernstrasse, turn right into Badweg. Soon a display case in the shape of a ship appears. Inside is exhibited a dugout canoe about 6,500 years old that was discovered during excavations. The route continues past a rest area and the Moossee beach bath. After crossing the Urtene, the lake's outflow, a footpath leads to the cantonal road. Follow it briefly eastward, then turn left onto a driveway after the underpass. Later, turn right and ascend through the Buebeloowald. Upon exiting the forest, you find yourself in a different world, far from the hustle and bustle. A forest path and later a country road lead into the farming village of Wiggiswil. From there, continue towards Zollikofen. After descending, cross a bridge over the cantonal road and the motorway. Soon you enter the area of Moossee Golf Park. After the Seerose restaurant, a footpath along the shore leads back to the starting point in Moosseedorf.

Background: Lake Moos lies about ten kilometers north of Bern. It is at an elevation of 521 m above sea level, is 1.1 kilometers long, 300 meters wide, and up to 21 meters deep. Since 1963, the body of water has been a nature reserve providing habitat for various animal species. The history of Lake Moos is also interesting: in 1856, pile dwellings from the Neolithic period were discovered. The sites are under peat layers or in the lake and are not visible. The dugout canoe, one of the oldest watercraft in Switzerland, is exhibited.