Popular, scenic hike over the wooded ridge of the lake chain. Descent through the cool Twannbach Gorge (caution in wet weather: slippery stone slabs!) to the shore of Lake Biel. Along the way, the facilities of the Federal Office of Sport and the buildings of the Twannberg holiday village foundation, harmoniously integrated into the landscape. Hard surfaces are rare outside settlements.
The ascent with the Biel–Magglingen funicular (access signposted from Biel station) is already an experience. It overcomes the 438 m elevation difference in just 7 minutes. From the mountain station in Magglingen head west to the administration building of the federal sports school. The hike on the old spa house path is a pleasure step by step. The pleasant walk through the Nidauwald occasionally offers views to the south. At the upper forest edge of Gaichtberg you cross Gaichtstrasse and enter dense fir forest. Upon exit, the view opens towards Lamboing, Diesse, Mont Sujet, and Chasseral. Continuing in that direction over the treeless plateau to the Twannberg holiday village.
Down the little road to the large web of paths on the forest edge. Interesting (but slippery in wet weather) is the descent via the “Le Muliweg”, a cobblestone paved cart path from the 13th century. In Les Moulins, at Tessenbergstrasse, below the restaurant, go through to the entrance of the Twannbach Gorge. The path through the increasingly narrow, cool, damp gorge is secured by barriers, partially dug into the rock, and passes under massive rock outcrops (caution in wet weather, risk of slipping), while the stream bubbles through cracks, basins, and hollows far below. From the Känzeli viewpoint at the gorge exit, a steep stairway leads down to the winemaking village of Twann.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Rest stops
Hotels am Nationalen SportzentrumSafety information
This route runs exclusively on marked footpaths of the hiking trail category.
Tips and suggestions
Bernese Hiking Trails Association, Bern, Tel.: 031 340 01 01, E-mail: info@beww.ch, Homepage: www.bernerwanderwege.ch
Roadbook
Magglingen - Gaichtberg - Twannberg - Twannbach Gorge - Twann
Hotels am Nationalen Sportzentrum
Grillstelle Arena - Twannberg
Zünd Glassbläserei & Restaurant - Twann
Grillstelle Twannbach
Twannbachschlucht
Restaurant zur Ilge
Twann
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Outbound: By train to Biel/Bienne. On foot to the valley station of the Magglingen funicular. Then take the funicular to the mountain station.
Return: From Twann by train or boat to Biel/Bienne.
Get Timetable to destination
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Hiking suggestion from the hiking book Berner Jura Bielersee-Seeland, hiking book series of the Bernese Hiking Trails.
Author’s map recommendations
Swisstopo hiking map 1:50,000 232T Vallon de St-Imier
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
We recommend the following equipment: light trekking shoes, light backpack, sun protection, rain jacket, first aid kit, light picnic, sufficient fluids, mobile phone.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

User Questions