Discover Täuffelen on Lake Biel

Täuffelen on Lake Biel combines a distinctive village landscape with a historic churchyard, a self-guided trail and nature and leisure activities. Whether you are interested in architectural history, planning a hike or hoping to spend time by the lake, the village offers a range of specific ways to shape your stay.

The village landscape and history of Täuffelen and Gerolfingen

Täuffelen sits high on the slope above the Grosses Moos. Roofs running parallel to the slope, the distinctive church tower and a large factory contribute to the village skyline. Among the old village buildings, trees, gardens, meadows, low stone walls and fences shape areas that have largely retained their rural character. The churchyard is the oldest part of the village landscape and includes buildings dating from the 16th to the 18th century: the church, a rectory built in 1665, a former bakehouse and an 18th-century granary.

The bakehouse was restored in 2000, remains intact and is still used for baking. Its doors open four times a year; check the visiting dates if you would like to see inside. Gerolfingen also has its own historic village landscape: the lower village is home to residential and multi-purpose buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries, with hipped roofs and Ründen. The lower village lies amid open meadows dotted with numerous fruit trees.

The history goes back further: Täuffelen and Gerolfingen are thought to have Celtic origins and are mentioned in documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. Four pile dwellings were built on the shore of Lake Biel during the Stone Age. Until 1846, Täuffelen was entirely a farming village. These historic connections add a sense of time to a visit, alongside the village landscape.

Trails and hikes

The self-guided treasure map trail leads through Täuffelen-Gerolfingen, past impressive buildings, paintings and viewpoints. The walking time is listed as 1 to 1.5 hours, and the full loop takes 2 to 2.5 hours. A playground lies after a short climb and offers a place to rest and refuel. When planning your time, distinguish the walking time from the total duration of the trail.

A longer option is the “With Lake Biel at Your Back” hike from Gerolfingen to Studen: it is 11.7 kilometres long, takes about three hours and is suitable for families. This time estimate offers a comparison with the treasure map trail, for which both walking time and total duration are given. This lets you compare the two activities based on the different time they require, without treating walking time and total time as the same thing.

Aare Delta, trails and lakeside activities

The 199.5-hectare “Aare Delta on Lake Biel” nature reserve includes the Aare’s estuary delta, a gravel island and the adjacent lake area. In Täuffelen-Gerolfingen, it includes shallow-water zones, wetlands, alluvial habitats and parts of the Strandboden area. The protective regulations aim to safeguard and enhance nature without unnecessarily restricting traditional recreational activities.

In Täuffelen, lakeside, forest and field paths form a local recreation area with opportunities for cycling and jogging. At Strandboden, there is a place to swim in Lake Biel, a beach volleyball court and a barbecue area with tables. Route conditions and local access rules may change, and facilities may not always be available. Check the latest conditions before your visit.

Another place to swim is the indoor pool at the Täuffelen Upper Secondary School Centre. The pool measures 16 2/3 × 8 metres and has a movable floor that can be set to different heights. The public may use the pool at times set by the Regional Education Commission. Check the current schedule before your visit.

Getting there by train

Aare Seeland mobil runs along the southern shore of Lake Biel, from Biel via Täuffelen to Ins. Passengers on the line can see Lake Biel or St. Peter’s Island. The Biel–Täuffelen–Ins railway line in Gerolfingen opened in 1916; Täuffelen station has also been served by today’s Aare Seeland mobil since 1916.

Discover more destinations: Studen, Ipsach, Mörigen, Jens, Sutz-Lattrigen, Nidau, Ligerz, Twann.

Back to the main travel overview: Nidau.