ViaBerna - Stage 09 Bern - Münsingen

The start offers a view of the buzzing Bernese coat of arms animal in the Bärenpark. Following the Aare, the route then goes through old trees to Schwellenmätteli. The south view of Bern's old town, the cathedral, and the rushing Aare river make you marvel and pause. After passing under the mighty Kirchenfeld Bridge, the Federal Palace proudly presents itself and soon the Schönausteg and Dählhölzli come into view. Past the animal enclosures of the zoo, the path leads into the Elfenau nature reserve. The Aare is a constant companion on this hike. Riverside landscapes with ponds, reed beds, water birds, and gnarled old trees make it especially enchanting. Through the riparian forest and past the Muribad you reach the Auguet Bridge, a covered wooden bridge from 1832. Here you cross to the opposite side of the Aare. A bit further upstream, you leave the river course, cross the Giessen by the idyllic Jägerheim and enter the southern Belpmoos. The flat and intensively used agricultural area is crossed up to the Vehweid at the foot of Belpberg. Over the hidden farms of Unter- and Oberaar, the hiking destination, the outdoor pool at the Schützenfahrbrügg in Münsingen, is reached.

The hike offers an exclusive view from the Aare of Bern's old town. This is part of the UNESCO World Heritage and fascinates with imposing sandstone buildings and unmistakable charm. Typical of Bern are also the small alleys and arcades.

Aare swimming is Bern's number one popular sport! In good weather, Bernese people love to gather at the Aare and enjoy summer by river swimming or “Aareböötle”. Of course, hikers can also refresh themselves in the green-blue water ...

The Dählhölzli zoo is a popular excursion destination and recreation area at the Aare near Bern. The zoo offers a habitat for more than 200 animal species, mainly from northern Europe. In the vivarium, animals from all continents can be discovered.

The Elfenau is a nature reserve and a publicly accessible park area at the Aare near Bern. The manor house was once home to the exiled Russian Grand Duchess Anna Feodorowna (1781–1860), who had an English park laid out.

The Auguet Bridge once stood four kilometers further south in the Hunzigenau and was for a long time an important Aare crossing between Rubigen and Belp. After the construction of the new road bridge, the stately wooden structure was rebuilt in Auguet and now serves as a connection for slow traffic between Muri and the Belpmoos.

For many decades the Aare between Thun and Bern was squeezed into a narrow corset. Floods led to a rethink. Currently, renaturation measures are underway. The riverbed is being widened and new side arms are creating a varied river landscape that benefits people and nature.