Hiking from the donkey to the pig

Start at the Saanenmöser train station. We cross the main road and head north towards Simnegrabe. We leave the first signpost to Abländschen on the right and continue up the road, admiring the elegant chalets of the beautiful and wealthy until the mountain meadow, where the path turns right towards Simne and Abländschen. Soon it appears on the map – the field name 'Esel' (donkey). No grey animals are to be seen far and wide, but plenty of nature and a nice grilling spot. The hike now runs on natural ground alongside the Kleine Simme, which springs from the Schneitgrat and flows down the valley, sometimes wild, sometimes tamed. At point 1442, the trail goes right towards Abländschen. The path gets steeper, leading through flowery meadows in early summer up to the Bire, with the Saanenland at your back and, further away, the still snow-covered Wildhorn. The only downside in the beautiful landscape is a high-voltage power line that spoils the view. Shortly after is the panorama at the highest point of the hike, the Bire, an extension of the Hundsrügg. From here, the trail descends and soon the wild peaks of the Gastlosen and the green valley of Abländschen come into view. The mountain path narrows and winds through a fairytale forest full of ferns and mosses down to the valley floor, where the Jäunlibach has left a lot of debris. The hike then follows the valley downhill to Abländschen. A few farming families and many cows live in this remote place, which belongs to Saanen and is now even connected by an e-post bus. Here you will also find the mountain hotel “Zur Sau,” which has made it into the Gault Millau restaurant guide with its excellent Côtes de Cochon and roast potatoes. The hosts explain the special name of the inn by recalling that there used to be a 'Säuli-Lift' (piglet lift) in the valley. In the newly renovated house, you can end the hike in a fine way or simply “abländschen,” as the locals say. Text: Godi Huber