ViaBerna - stage 12 Aeschi – Saxeten

The start, from Aeschi to Aeschiried, close to the Niesen, the famous pyramid mountain on Lake Thun, already gives plenty of views. After wonderful views into Frutigland, a narrow road soon descends to Suldbach and makes a beautiful footpath that runs along the river into the valley. In Suldweid, you find yourself at the heart of the Suldtal nature reserve. The trail goes through meadows to reach the mountain restaurant in Suld. The centuries old stores under the mighty oak trees are used as cheese stores for the surrounding Alpine pastures. This is the start of the ascent through the forested gorge of Latrejebach. You can soon look forward to a stunning view of the thundering Pochtenfall. The route then leads through pasture to the Schlieri huts. You will pass delightful small waterfalls on the way to Mittelberg. The Latreje Alpine pasture below the rugged rock bands of the Schwalmere and the green slopes of the Dreispitz is one of the Oberland’s largest pastures. From Mittelberg, the path winds upwards in tight bends to the Renglipass between Schwalmere and Morgenberghorn. It comes as a surprise when the view through the green Saxettal opens out to Lake Brienz. Caution is advised for the descent over the highest slope. A path then takes you to the huts of Mittelberg. The hike finishes with the rest of the descent down the mountainside and through Bergmatten to the Innerfeld valley and into the village of Saxeten. Some sections require caution and you are advised against walking in rain, snow or fog.

Suldtal is a secret tip for spotting plants and animals. Lots of black grouse, occasional western capercaillie, ptarmigan and even the rare Alpenfelsenmauerläufer are native to the nature reserve. A pair of golden eagles hunt in the area, while chamois and roe deer are also found, along with foxes, badgers, martens, raccoons and lynx. There is also a rich variety of orchids. You will also find gentians, whole fields of paradisea, anthericum and Martagon lilies, as well as rare Alpine columbine. Edelweiss, mountain cowslip and Alpine rose are also native to the area.

At the Pochtenfall waterfall, the Latrejebach falls down an 80-metre vertical rock wall into the valley. This natural spectacle is a popular destination.

People were probably already using the route through Rengglipass in pre-Roman times. Because an Alpine festival used to be held at the top of the pass, the crossing is also known as Tanzbödelipass.

The village of Saxeten is 1,130 metres above sea level, nestled between Bällenhöchst, Sulegg, Schwalmern and Morgenberghorn. In terms of population, Saxeten is one of the smallest communities in the Bernese Oberland.