ViaBerna - Stage 05 Magglingen - Biel/Bienne

The start is where the Swiss sports elite train: in Magglingen, where the place name "End of the World" also appears on the map. The path descends to La Combe, passes Evilard/Leubringen, and reaches Frinvillier, where it meets the Schüss. The hiking trail initially follows the energy works canal to the entrance of the Taubenloch Gorge. Soon the gorge narrows and the Schüss gets wilder. Deep green moss and lichen-covered stones line the river. The hiking trail crosses the wild Schüss several times. Then high rock walls appear, announcing the most beautiful section of the gorge. Here the path is carved into the rocks and leads high above the water through tunnels and galleries. Depending on the light, mystical moments occur. Walking towards the light, you leave the Taubenloch Gorge and enter Biel-Bözingen city. Wide footpaths along the Schüss riverbank lead to the "Schüssinsel," a new park area in the middle of Biel. Further along the Schüss, the trail leads via Zentralplatz directly to Strandboden at Lake Biel. The green area at the lakeside is a popular meeting point for young and old during the summer months. Via the harbor and lido, the route ends at Biel station.

The footpath through the Taubenloch Gorge was initiated by the Swiss Alpine Club SAC. The path was built in 1889. Its tourist potential was recognized even then. For maintenance and care of this hiking trail, the Taubenloch Society was founded. The path is very popular also because it leads directly from the city in Bözingen into a wild romantic natural landscape.

According to a legend, a young man from the region once loved a girl who was so beautiful and lovely that everyone called her La Colombe (the dove). They wanted to marry. But she was pursued by the tyrant of Rondchâtel, who had also fallen in love with her. To avoid falling into his hands, the young woman jumped into the gorge and died there. In her honor, the gorge was thereafter called Taubenloch or Gorges de la petite colombe. Name researchers, however, derive the term "Tubeloch" from Old High German "Dubelloch" or "Tobelloch," meaning water-washed forest gorge.

The Schüssinsel is a paradise for everyone looking for relaxation in the middle of the city. The park on Schüssinsel received nationwide recognition in specialist circles in Switzerland. In December 2017, the city received two awards in recognition of the exemplary design of the facility.

Biel is the regional and economic center for the Seeland, the Bern Jura, and parts of the canton of Solothurn. The city is also known as a watchmaking world metropolis. Biel is characterized by a homogeneous new town and a well-preserved old town with medieval structure.