Hike to battle monuments

At the starting point, the Neuenegg train stop, follow the signs to the monument. Via Dorfstrasse you reach, on a flat path passing two roundabouts, Denkmalstrasse and ascend to the Neuenegg monument.

The Battle of Neuenegg took place on 5 March 1798 during the French invasion of Switzerland, where the Bernese defeated the French. This victory is often called pointless: the French advance and thus the downfall of old Bern was unstoppable. The inscription on the monument recalls this: “Won the battle, lost the fatherland.”

Now go back a short way. Before the roundabout, turn right towards Neuenegg church, where a footpath leads. The hiking signpost near the church shows the direction Mühleberg for the further route. Continue through a hollow path, a residential street, and a field path past the hamlet of Brüggelbach to Tannholzweid. From here the route leads through the forest. Later follow the sign for Bramberg monument. Shortly after leaving the forest, the monument appears. It commemorates the Battle of Laupen in 1339. Under the leadership of Rudolf von Erlach, the Bernese with reinforcements from central Switzerland and Solothurn defeated the opposing army led by Freiburg.

From here, the hiking path is signed towards Laupen. The route now leads over field paths, paved streets and through forest. On the descent, the view of Laupen and the castle, built in the 12th century, opens up. Not only because of the various restaurants, it is worth lingering in the charming small town.