Discover Krauchthal

Krauchthal lies almost exactly halfway between the cities of Bern and Burgdorf. The municipality is in the pre-Alpine region, in the valley of the Krauchtal stream, and provides access to the Emmental from the north. Its settlements are spread across different types of terrain: Krauchthal and Hub lie in a narrow valley running east to west, while Dieterswald is on a gently sloping plateau. Hettiswil lies to the north in moderately hilly terrain; from there, open views extend across the Bernese Mittelland to the southern foothills of the Jura. The municipality includes Krauchthal, with Hub and Dieterswald, as well as Hettiswil, with Grauenstein and Hängelen.

Sandstone and nature reserve

The Chrüzflue–Brächerflue nature reserve is on the edge of Krauchthal. Molasse cliffs are framed by a pine forest, alongside species-rich dry grassland and a diverse insect fauna. The area also provides a particularly suitable, undisturbed habitat for cliff-nesting birds. A 2.5-kilometre hiking trail runs through the nature reserve and connects several attractions. These include a stone guestbook created using traditional stonemason’s tools.

The Krauchthal Museum offers guided tours about sandstone at the museum and along the Sandstone Trail, as well as combined visits to both. This lets you plan the museum and trail as two parts of the same visit. The museum also offers a chronological guided tour on the history from monastery to prison.

The church and the history of Thorberg

Krauchthal Church was built in 1793/94 as a late Baroque church under the direction of Ludwig Emanuel Zehender. Its west façade features a central three-storey tower flanked by two-storey wooden galleries dating from 1797. Elements from the original construction have also been preserved inside: the baptismal font, wall pews and organ gallery date from the building period. The façade and furnishings thus offer different insights into church architecture in the late 18th century.

The Thorberg complex originated as a castle built by the Knights of Thorberg around a thousand years ago. In 1397, the last member of the family bequeathed his estate to the Carthusian order. Until the fall of the Old Swiss Confederacy in 1798, Thorberg served as the seat of a bailiff. Alongside the museum’s chronological guided tour, “How a monastery became a prison,” these milestones can be viewed as distinct chapters in the history of the area.

Hettiswil landmarks and houses

The Lindenzytli is the landmark of the village of Hettiswil. Its original bell is on display at Hettiswil School. It weighs 55 kilograms and bears the inscription “AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA” in Gothic lettering. Check before your visit whether the exhibition will be accessible during your trip. Not far from the Lindenzytli, the Cluniac priory of Hettiswil stood on the site of the Öle from 1107 to 1529. Two information panels about it have been installed on the north-west side of the Lindenzytli; if needed, check their current condition.

Admission to the Wybermahl is restricted to women from Hettiswil; the event takes place every two years. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the current date in advance. The Fluehüsli offer another glimpse of local architectural history: the two houses, built directly into the rock, date from the 16th century and are still inhabited today.

Trails and views

The Thorberg Trail offers a choice of routes. The main trail is 13 kilometres long and has 500 metres of elevation gain; the short trail covers 5 kilometres with 150 metres of elevation gain. There is also a walking trail. The stated distances and elevation gains distinguish the two routes with published figures, without requiring you to assume a walking time.

A sandstone cliff rises a good hundred metres above the valley floor. From the pavilion, built in 1929, the view extends over the village, into the valleys and across the Mittelland towards the Jura. Alongside the trails and historic buildings, scenic viewpoints offer another highlight to include in your plans.

Plan your journey

The Krauchthal Museum is easy to reach by public transport. If travelling by car, there are plenty of parking spaces by Krauchthal School. The suggested route “Emmental Sand Monuments” includes a bus journey via Bolligen and Bern; check current connections before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Burgdorf, Hasle bei Burgdorf, Oberburg, Kaltacker, Lyssach.

Back to the main travel overview: Burgdorf.