Recreation near the Wohlensee

From Fuchsenried, follow the road to Oberei and turn left there toward the lake. The Wohlensee appears in the distance, nestled in a hilly landscape. Then you go a bit through the forest, past the cozy barbecue spot Rappenried, and on a footpath flat through the Teuftalbucht nature reserve, the oldest of the six nature reserves around the Wohlensee. After the Jaggisbachau farm, the path leads through forested area, wild ascending and descending through ditches and over ridges, via stairs and boardwalks. At Studenweide, keep to the left, then gently ascend on a track, then steeply down a hiking trail. It then goes flatter over meadows and soon reaches the Pfaffenried forest. Passing the Chatzestygwald resting place, you arrive at the lake shore. From here, the path continues flat – always with a wonderful view of the elongated lake. The wild shoreline landscape is impressive and invites observation. On the left is the Wohleibrücke built in 1920 – but you do not turn off here, instead you follow the path straight ahead. A final ascent leads up to the pasture of Stürlere, then stairs guide down to the Gäbelbach. This is crossed on a bridge, and in a few minutes you arrive at the Eymatt near Bern / Camping bus stop. Anyone who wishes can conclude the tour at the garden restaurant Eymatt 62 by the campsite.

Background: The Wohlensee was created in 1920 by the dam of the Mühleberg hydroelectric power plant; 13 kilometers of dammed Aare river, 3.65 square kilometers in size, up to 700 meters wide. The usable gradient at Mühleberg is 20 meters – thanks to the large volumes of water, electrical energy can be produced for about 35,000 households. Around the Wohlensee are six cantonal nature reserves. The Teuftalbucht nature reserve encompasses a silted bay, whose dense reed beds of bulrush, reed sweet grass and cattail are home to numerous bird and amphibian species.