Krattigen on Lake Thun: Panorama, Lake and Culture

Krattigen lies slightly above Spiez and is a sunny vantage point overlooking Lake Thun. From Krattigen, panoramic views extend across the lake, the rolling landscape and the mountains; the municipality stretches all the way to the lakeshore. Trails, a bathing area and cultural history offer different ways to enjoy a stay.

Krattigen Routes and Walking Trails

The five Krattigen routes differ in their destinations, lengths and approximate times. Route 1, “The Refreshing One,” leads from Chrattiggraben to the lake, is 5.7 kilometres long and takes about one hour and 40 minutes. Route 2, “The Leisurely One,” leads to Oertlimatt; the three-kilometre route takes about one hour. Route 3, “The Easygoing One,” leads to Büel and covers 2.3 kilometres in about 40 minutes. Route 4, “The Rural One,” goes to Stuelegg: four kilometres, taking about one hour. Route 5, “The Mystical One,” leads between Viertel and Hellboden, covering 6.8 kilometres and taking about two hours and ten minutes.

For planning purposes, Route 3 and Route 5 mark the shortest and longest of the stated time ranges. Routes 2 and 4 can also be compared using the figures: both are listed as taking about one hour, for three and four kilometres respectively.

A shorter walking option is the Krattigen Sculpture Trail. It starts and ends at Eyeriedweg by the shooting range, is 1.3 kilometres long and takes about 30 minutes. From the village of Krattigen, you can reach the starting point on Eyeriedweg on foot in about 15 minutes; the trail is signposted. The Sculpture Trail’s artistic touch comes from the creative involvement of Krattigen residents and regional artists.

Forest, Panoramas and Outdoor Activities

The Krattigen Vita Parcours winds through shady woodland to viewpoints overlooking the lake and mountains. Other outdoor activities associated with Krattigen include e-bike excursions. The tourist description calls Krattigen’s wide, sunny paths suitable for Nordic walking and for outings with children or in groups.

The Lake Thun Panorama Trail is on a different timescale: it is an enjoyable, rewarding multi-day hike through the Bernese Oberland. The landscape and cultural setting described include views of the lake and mountains, historic sites and impressive caves. This distinguishes the multi-day tour from the shorter Krattigen routes and the Sculpture Trail.

Swimming in Lake Thun

The Lido lakeside swimming area offers swimming in Lake Thun. The facilities include a large sunbathing lawn and a bathing jetty; admission is free. The swimming facilities are unsupervised, and there is no lifeguard. If you include the bathing area in your travel plans, the lack of supervision is important practical information.

History and Artillery Fort

Krattigen was first mentioned in a document on 4 January 1297. A later chapter in the village’s history is associated with the charter of liberties of 6 May 1476, which granted the Krattigen court a regional law. This remained in force until the French Revolution and was formally repealed by a Grand Council resolution on 2 December 1840.

The Krattigen Artillery Fort is now privately owned and can be visited by arrangement. Confirm the visiting arrangements before you travel. On Schüpfgasse, the fort comprises three casemated guns, a separate entrance building and underground bunkers connected to one another. Its documented use is also part of the area’s history: from early 1978, it was used to train members of a resistance organisation; in the mid-1980s, it was briefly operated by the successor organisation P-26.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Kiental, Kandersteg, Reichenbach in Kandertal, Frutigen, Kandergrund, Aeschi near Spiez, Frutigen-Ried, Aeschiried.

Back to the main travel overview: Frutigen.