Horboden: Trails, Culture and Winter in the Diemtigtal

Horboden is in the Diemtigtal and offers starting points for hikes, winter activities and experiences related to Swiss wrestling. When choosing a route, the specific differences can help: a loop or a themed trail, a short or longer route and—in winter—activities whose availability depends on conditions.

Hiking trails around Horboden

The Schwingerweg Springenboden combines an introduction to Swiss wrestling with exercise: an interactive app and sports activity stations introduce visitors to the sport. The circular trail is rated easy, is 2.5 kilometres long and includes 110 metres of elevation gain. The walking time alone is estimated at around an hour and a half.

The Diemtigtaler Hausweg “Mittleres Tal” follows a different route: this easy themed circular trail is 10.20 kilometres long. It starts at the “Chirel” PostBus stop in Horboden and returns to Horboden at the end of the loop. Those looking to combine a longer hike with a theme will find a different route option here than on the Schwingerweg.

The Diemtigtaler Talwanderweg follows the Fildrich and Chirel waterways through forests and meadows and crosses eleven bridges. Before Horboden, a descent continues towards Horboden. Another hike is described as a route from Horboden via Zünegg, Geeri and the Stalde to the Niesen, following the Chirel towards Diemtigen. From the Niesen summit, you can take a mountain railway back down to the valley.

Winter activities at Springenboden

The Springenboden winter hiking trail is a 6.83-kilometre circular route starting and ending at the Gasthaus Gsässweid in Springenboden, Horboden. The route passes through deeply snow-covered forests and pastures, with views of the upper Diemtigtal and the Simmental. Its availability depends on winter conditions.

The Springenboden ski area has six kilometres of pistes, one ski lift, two children’s lifts, a marked snowshoe trail and three winter hiking trails. Operations are weather-dependent. The Swiss Ski School Springenboden offers ski lessons as group or private courses; snowboard lessons are available as private lessons.

Swiss wrestling, art and culture

The Kultur- & Skulpturewäg is an approximately 15-kilometre discovery hike along the Talwanderweg between Oey and Grimmialp. It includes the “Schönwetter Glocke” sculpture by Rainer Klossner. The sculpture stands by the hiking trail bridge at the livestock showground in Horboden. The Schwingerweg Springenboden focuses on something different, bringing Swiss wrestling to life with an app and activity stations.

The Schwingerkönige pavilion displays portraits of all previous Swiss wrestling kings. A true-to-life wooden sculpture depicts Kilian Wenger with his winning bull, “Arnold”, which Wenger won in Frauenfeld in 2010. The Neuenstift-Dorfet adds to the cultural offering with a sociable festival featuring traditional entertainment at Nöienstift in Horboden; it takes place at the end of July each year.

More experiences and practical information

The Diemtigtal Model Playground is in the basement of the Wirieblick restaurant, Allmiried 48, 3755 Horboden. There you can operate remote-controlled vehicles at a scale of 1:32, including PistenBullys, excavators, lorries and tractors. There is also a Carrera slot-car track. PostBus serves the “Horboden, Sporthalle” stop four times a day; the Model Playground is a two-minute walk from there. Check the timetable when planning your journey.

At Alp Krebs Springenboden, visitors can watch cheese being made and ask questions between 9 a.m. and noon. Mutsch, raclette and alpine cheese are made and sold at Alp Krebs. You can also combine a visit with an insight into local cheese production.

At post 8 on the Schwingerweg, there is a fire pit with a covered grill and seating area, two tables, firewood and a toilet. It is a 30-minute walk from the Hasenloch car park.

Discover more destinations: Niederstocken, Diemtigen, Erlenbach Im Simmental, Faulensee, Därstetten, Spiez, Oey, Wimmis.

To the main travel overview: Niedersimmental.