Oberwil in the Simmental: Church, Caves and Trails

Oberwil in the Simmental brings together a rich local history and trails through the landscape. The Mauritius Church, caves used in prehistoric times, and a range of hiking and cycling routes offer different points of interest. Depending on your activities, details such as the starting point, approximate duration or train connections may be relevant when planning your trip.

Cultural history in Oberwil

The church, dedicated to Saint Mauritius, was probably founded by the Barons of Weissenburg. It first appears in a church register of the Diocese of Lausanne in 1228, under the name Berswil. The church was built in the 13th century as a small, late Romanesque hall church with a choir. The tower, nave and sacristy date from the 14th and early 15th centuries. These construction phases distinguish the original building from later additions. Fragments of wall paintings that once covered the interior are preserved from the period before the Reformation.

The caves in Gsässfluh are also part of the area’s early settlement history: they are considered evidence of the earliest settlement in the municipality. From approximately 20,000 to 10,000 BC, people used them as summer dwellings. Another trace of history leads to the Hirschen inn. It was first mentioned in a document in 1793 and was regarded as a muleteers’ hostel between Weissenburg and Boltigen. The guesthouse is no longer in operation; the Hirschen should therefore be regarded as a historic site, not as current accommodation.

Cave trail, suspension bridge and Simmental House Trail

The Oberwil cave trail leads from Oberwil station or the cave trail car park into the rocky Gsässgrind area. The Zwärgliloch, Schnurenloch and Mamilchloch caves are located there. The circular hike takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from the cave car park. Oberwil Simmental Tourism also offers guided tours featuring stories about the caves. If a guided tour is part of your plans, ask them about current dates.

The Leiternweide Oberwil suspension bridge offers a different destination: it is 111 metres long, and the Morgetenbach flows through the gorge 111 metres below it. The Oberwil–Alp Morgete–Oberwil e-bike tour starts at the station and passes the bridge. A break at the Morgete alpine restaurant is planned before the return journey. If you plan to stop there, check whether the restaurant is currently open.

The Simmental House Trail can be walked along partly paved, low-traffic lanes and natural paths; brown signposts mark the route. Oberwil also has a local hiking area. This gives you a choice of activities for days outdoors, from a specific cave circuit with an approximate duration to a trail with varied surfaces and its own signposting.

Landscape and winter planning

Oberwil in the Simmental lies on a sunny terrace about 100 metres above the shady valley floor, through which the Simme flows. The south-facing slopes above Oberwil remain snow-free far up the mountainside. This setting provides the landscape backdrop for the trails around the village.

In winter, the Rossberg cross-country ski trail offers a different focus: one section is lit, making evening cross-country skiing possible. You can reach the trail by train to Oberwil; there is no ski bus. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can plan your trip around what interests you most—for example, local history, a hike, the e-bike tour or cross-country skiing. The practical details vary: an approximate duration from the cave car park is given for the cave circuit, while train access and the absence of a ski bus are important for the ski trail.

Discover more destinations:

Spiez, Diemtigen, Faulensee, Weissenburg, Oey, Horboden, Erlenbach in the Simmental, Niederstocken

Back to the overview of the wider region: Niedersimmental.