Bridges as far as the eye can see

The bridge hike along the Aare starts at the Bärengraben bus stop. Initially, you go down the historically significant Klösterlistutz to the Untertorbrücke and downstream along the river to the Altenberg footbridge. You cross it and pass by the Blutturm, once part of the city fortifications. Along the wooded bank, it continues to the Felsenau weir, where you cross back to the right bank of the Aare via the Stauwehrsteg Engehalde. The splendidly designed promenade leads through the Wylerholz to the Tiefenaubrücke. While circling the Enge peninsula, you pass Reichenbach Castle. The path follows the Aare, which here is partly interrupted by large gravel banks. Shortly after the Zehendermätteli ferry, you go through a tunnel. Alternatively, you can turn right just after the ferry and reach the Aeschenbrunnmattstrasse, passing Bremgarten Castle, to descend once again to the Aare. Immediately, you reach the Felsenaubrücke – not to be confused with the Felsenau viaduct – then the Seftau footbridge. Passing the oldest wooden bridge in the canton of Bern, the Neubrücke, you continue to the beautifully shaped Halebrücke. You then follow the water with a wonderful view of the Aare and its reed belt. A look back is also worthwhile – in the distance, the Bantiger with its distinctive TV tower is visible. At Unterdettigen, you descend to the riverbank. On a particularly scenic stretch, you walk to Stägmatte footbridge and further to Chappelebrücke. Here, you go right uphill to Hinterkappelen to the Bernstrasse bus stop.

Background: Due to the Aare surrounding it, Bern is somewhat inconvenient in terms of traffic, and for a long time, there was only one bridge within the city area – the Untertorbrücke. It was completed at the end of the 15th century and replaced a wooden bridge that had repeatedly been destroyed by floods and fires. Today, Bern is a bridge city with connections in all directions.