Wachseldorn and the Wachseldornmoos
Accommodation in Wachseldorn
Hiking routes lead to and along the edge of the Wachseldornmoos. The bog lies northwest of the village and is one of Switzerland’s moors of national importance. Despite its name, it is located almost entirely within the municipality of neighbouring Buchholterberg. When planning, it is worth comparing the hikes by length, duration and route.
Raised bog, habitat and traces of peat extraction
The nature reserve protects a remnant of raised bog with a peat base, wet meadows and areas where peat has been extracted. On 20 December 1978, the Wachseldornmoos was designated a cantonal nature reserve. Its peat layer is around five to six metres thick. Sedge areas, reed beds, brackish water and, above all, a small lake provide a habitat for numerous animals; the bog’s diverse structures are also important for specialised species.
The landscape also bears traces of its former use: peat was extracted from the Wachseldornmoos as fuel and used for cooking and heating until the 1960s. Four preserved peat huts can be seen at the bog. They were once used to store fuel—a vivid reminder of the history of peat extraction.
Choose a hike by length and route
The hike “Through the Wachseldornmoos” is described as an easy 5.7-kilometre route taking 1 hour and 25 minutes. It follows the edge of the raised bog, which is of national importance, passes Wachseldorn school and climbs to the Süderenhubel. From there, views stretch from the Schrattenflue across the Honegg and the High Alps to the Stockhorn range. The route uses a path along the edge of the bog that was newly laid in recent years.
A longer option is “The Wachseldorn Raised Bog”: this moderately difficult hike is 11.9 kilometres long, takes 3 hours and 30 minutes, and is classified as suitable for families. It starts in Süderen at the Gasthof zum Bären and leads to the Wachseldornmoos. This gives you different distances, as well as different stated walking times and difficulty levels, to compare.
The Oberdiessbach–Falkenflue–Heimenschwand–Wachseldornmoos–Süderen route covers 15.4 kilometres. It is moderately difficult and recommended for spring, summer and autumn. The route connects several named places and is the longest of the three hikes.
For this route, the described public transport journey is by train to Oberdiessbach station, followed by a transfer to bus route 44 to Oberdiessbach, Kastanienpark. For the return journey, bus route 42 from SĂĽderen, Dorf, is listed. Check the current timetables before travelling.
Cross-country skiing in classic style in winter
As a seasonal winter activity, the “Chrüzweg / Wachseldornmoos Loop” is listed: the cross-country skiing circuit is 11 kilometres long and described as suitable for classic technique. The Heimenschwand cross-country ski trail network runs through the municipalities of Buchholterberg, Oberlangenegg and Wachseldorn. This winter loop is therefore quite different from the hikes at the bog: it is a separate option described by technique and length.
Discover more destinations: Buchholterberg, Steffisburg, Thun, Goldiwil (Thun), Sigriswil, Schwanden Ob Sigriswil, Hilterfingen, Uetendorf.
Back to the main travel overview: Thun.
