Discover Hilterfingen on Lake Thun

On Lake Thun, Hilterfingen offers several different ways to shape your stay: Hünegg Castle with its park and views, the history of the church, sailing activities and paths by the water. When choosing a hotel, you can consider whether culture, time on the lake, a day of swimming or outdoor activities is your priority. Activities range from historical topics to practical opportunities for courses, excursions and relaxation by the shore.

Hünegg Castle and the history of Hilterfingen

Hünegg Castle was built between 1861 and 1863 for the Prussian Baron Albert von Parpart and his wife Adelheid von Bonstetten. French Renaissance châteaux on the Loire served as its architectural model. The castle park’s visitor attractions include animals, a miniature house and a historic viewing pavilion. Exotic giant sequoias, Lebanon cedars and multi-stemmed sawara cypresses also shape the park, which is open year-round. From the castle terrace, views extend across Lake Thun to the Bernese Alps.

From Thun railway station, you can reach Hünegg Castle on buses 21 or 25, getting off at Eichbühl or Hilterfingen Post; from there, it is a five-minute walk. As timetables can change, it is advisable to check the connection for your travel date. This lets you plan a visit to the castle as part of your journey via Thun without relying on a fixed bus timetable.

Another historical landmark is Hilterfingen Church, dedicated to the Apostle Andrew. It was first mentioned in 1175 in the foundation charter of Libo von Oberhofen. Its tall, widely visible tower is considered a landmark of Hilterfingen. The church stands about 20 metres above lake level on the western slope of Schneckenbühl. Inside are 24 precious late Gothic stained-glass panels from the workshop of Bern Minster; panels donated by local lords and by the cities of Bern and Thun are excluded from this count.

Sailing, swimming and exploring Lake Thun

The Hilterfingen branch of the Thunersee Sailing School offers a wide range of courses, from taster days for beginners to specialist courses for regatta sailors. There are also Optimist courses for children and offshore sailing training. The sailing school has more than 50 sailboats of various types and sizes in total. In addition to courses, guided sailing trips are available; these are scheduled and booked seasonally. So check the dates and course programme before booking a trip or course.

At Hünegg lido, you can swim through the clear waters of Lake Thun to a raft. The diving tower has platforms at one, three and five metres, and there is also a shaded children’s pool. These features offer different options for a day of swimming, from swimming laps to diving from various heights. Check the seasonal availability of the facilities before your visit.

A boat trip on Lake Thun can also be part of your day’s plans. The route runs from Interlaken West via Spiez, Gunten, Oberhofen and Hilterfingen to Thun. If you plan to take a trip, check the timetable for your chosen day. This lets you include a boat trip as a separate activity rather than assuming fixed departure times.

Trails, gardens and local wines

The Hilterfingen–Hünibach–Oberhofen discovery trail starts and ends at the Hilterfingen-Hünibach-Oberhofen tourist office. Through 20 questions, it introduces visitors to the history of the three villages. A lakeside path also runs from Hünibach to Thun. A varied network of hiking trails leads from Hilterfingen-Hünibach and Oberhofen into the surrounding countryside. The Hilterfingen Erlebnis Garten is also accessible to people with limited mobility.

The vineyards on the terraces in Hilterfingen and Oberhofen are also part of the area’s landscape. The mild climate and sunny location favour vine growing. Two winegrowers’ cooperatives in the Hilterfingen–Oberhofen area produce fresh, fruity wines and specialities. Wine made locally and aged in barriques can be tasted directly on Lake Thun. The wine selection relates to the Hilterfingen–Oberhofen area; no specific tasting venue is implied.

Sauna by the lake

At the Hünegg bend in Hilterfingen, Saunaare offers a sauna-on-wheels experience right on the shore of Lake Thun; seasonal opening may vary. You can reserve a date of your choice online. A booked time slot is reserved exclusively for the person who booked it and their companions. This makes the offer different from the sailing school’s courses and guided trips: here, the focus is on a reserved time for your own group.

Discover more destinations: Sigriswil, Aeschlen Ob Gunten, Schwanden Ob Sigriswil, Unterlangenegg, Thun, Eriz, Heiligenschwendi, Blumenstein.

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