Zollikofen: Trails, the Aare and culture

There are several ways to get to know Zollikofen: the landscape trail, the Aare landscape and cultural attractions such as the Swiss Museum for the Blind or Reichenbach Castle. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus on walks, nature or history.

Walks and landscape trails

The Zollikofen Landscape Trail is an easy 4.3-kilometre walking route that takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. As route details may change, check them before setting out. The trail passes through the local recreation areas of Buchrainwald, the Aare area and Rütti. Its 36 information boards explore the relationship between people and nature, the history of the Earth, the Reichenbach lordship and historic transport routes. Other topics include bodies of water and their wildlife, hedgerows, plants and ecological farming. The trail combines exercise with clearly structured insights into the landscape and its history.

Beyond this route, the municipality is criss-crossed by the official hiking trail network and is well connected to neighbouring municipalities by walking trails. In the Aare area, a network of paths follows the river bends; this recreation area is complemented by an extensive network of hiking and walking trails in Meielewald. The forest is part of a larger continuous woodland area. The landscapes described here therefore range from the Aare riverbank to the forest, without requiring you to follow a particular route.

The Aare landscape and nature watching

Where the Chräbsbach flows into the Aare, water-bearing sandstone cliffs and a rare, protected spring fen have developed. The spring fen is easy to observe near Restaurant Reichenbach and extends beyond the grounds along the Aare riverbank. The Chräbsbach has very high habitat potential for various bird species and forms an important ecological corridor. Some sections are difficult to access and therefore experience little disturbance. Nature here ranges from a wetland that can be observed up close to the ecological importance of a stream.

Museum, castle and townscape

The Swiss Museum for the Blind “anders sehen” (“seeing differently”) presents 200 years of education for the blind through exhibitions, a dark room and a studio for workshops and sensory experiences. The fully darkened room includes a sound experience and tactile stations. Visitors may touch all the exhibits, and every room is wheelchair accessible. The standard guided tour is offered in German, French, English and Italian. The exhibition, sound and touch each offer a different perspective on the same museum theme.

Reichenbach Castle is located directly on the Aare in the municipality of Zollikofen and is a 17th-century Baroque castle. The present castle was built in 1688 for Beat Fischer, founder of Bern’s postal service. Bühlikofen is another prominent cultural landmark: the hamlet is listed in the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of National Importance. The castle hamlet stands out in particular for its exposed position on a hilltop.

Agriculture and seasonal activities

Weltacker Bern is an educational site open to visitors that explains the connections between food, agriculture and the environment. Its educational programmes and hands-on activities are aimed at schoolchildren, young people and adults. The growing season runs from May to October each year; bear this seasonal limit in mind when planning your visit.

At Inforama Rütti, green signs along the Grünes Band Bern adventure trail invite visitors to explore the grounds, including the leased farm and its various animals. The farm shop at Inforama sells regional products such as dried apple rings, jam and meat specialities.

Getting there

The Reichenbach ferry connects Zollikofen with the Enge Peninsula and has been operating there for more than 275 years. It is recommended as an idyllic way to travel in summer. If you plan to take the ferry, check the timetable in advance. Zollikofen is also connected to the S-Bahn network, with services towards Bern, Solothurn and Biel; for specific departures, check the current timetable.

Discover more destinations: Köniz, Bolligen, Bern, Gasel, Wohlen Bei Bern, Bern, Kirchlindach, Le Fuet.

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