ViaBerna - stage 10 Münsingen - Thun

Past Bad Münsingen, the path crosses the Aare River via the Schützenfahrbrügg. The hike begins above the Aare on the slope of the Belpberg. Passing the Neumatt farmstead, it continues to the Ochsematt homestead, with splendid views of the Aare landscape and the Bernese Alps. The descent by Breitenried farm is easy; the following riverside section is wild. You will encounter floodplain forest, rapids, sandy bays, and reed beds. A soft footpath leads to the Thalgut. Behind the inn, the riverside path begins again, stretching to just before Jaberg. The Jaberg bridge takes you to the opposite bank of the Aare. The path to the mouth of the Rotache runs through a natural riverside landscape where you may spot sandpipers, common ringed plovers, and dippers. The Rotache footbridge is located slightly inland, and for the railway underpass, a short detour is necessary. Crossing the Aare again over the railway bridge near Uttigen, the hiking trail continues along the Upper Au, a forest area used by the military, on the Aare dam. Passing the monument for the Kander correction and over the Aarefeld footbridge, you arrive at Kaliforni. Soon the castle of Thun proudly marks the end of the hike. Passing the Schwäbis river bath, the old town of Thun and the gateway to the Bernese Oberland are reached.

For centuries, the Thalgut was the only inn on the Aare between Thun and Bern. A spa for rheumatism and gout was also very popular. The Thalgut bath was first mentioned in 1480. Its old name was “Zum Schiff”. The river formed a busy waterway from the Oberland; boatmen and rafters used to stop at the inn.

The Kander originally flowed through the Thuner Allmend and joined the Aare between Thun and Uttigen. In this flat area, it frequently caused floods. Therefore, at the beginning of the 18th century, the Kander was diverted into Lake Thun.

At the Aare near Uetendorf and Heimberg, the names Amerika-Egge and Kaliforni appear. However, no worries about being lost are necessary. One possible explanation for these unusual place names is that residents of these areas once emigrated to America.

The Schwäbis river bath is a small, charming facility. Since 1884, it has offered a cozy bathing atmosphere in a nostalgic setting and an exclusive swimming experience in the Aare over a length of 175 meters.

In the town of Thun, you can stroll through picturesque alleys, with numerous cafés along the Aare inviting you to linger. Thun is the gateway to the Bernese Oberland and is considered an ideal starting point for a variety of excursions and experiences.