Discover Erlach: Nature and Culture

If you’re looking for a hotel in Erlach, you can plan your trip around cultural history, nature and activities on the water. The places and attractions described include the Erlach Museum, historical traces along the Hasenburg leisure trail, protected landscapes on the Heidenweg and a vineyard trail on the Jolimont. Seasonal events and guided tours are also part of what the area offers.

Cultural history and trails in Erlach

The Erlach Museum houses historically valuable objects, pictures, photographs and items relating to various activities of former residents. You need to register to visit the museum, so be sure to arrange this before your visit.

The Hasenburg leisure trail is web-based and runs in an internet browser, combining interactive stations with digital features. It leads to the remains of a medieval noble’s castle and to an Iron Age burial ground. Participation is free and carries no obligation. In this way, the trail combines digital stations with two different traces of the past.

Another historical site is the Tüfelsburdi, also known as Teufelsburde. It consists of three large granite erratic boulders from Val de Bagnes in the canton of Valais; there is a fire pit with a table and benches at the site. It is believed that the site has been used for ritual practices since at least the Neolithic period. Excavations in 1848 uncovered Celtic pottery fragments, clay sculptures and charcoal remains. The interpretation of the site as a place of worship remains an assumption; the finds are associated with the specific year of excavation.

The Räbluskurve is a vineyard trail with nine information panels and QR codes. The route passes through Erlach and the vineyards on the Jolimont. This trail focuses on grapevines and providing information about them, while the Hasenburg leisure trail has a different historical focus, with castle remains and a burial ground.

The Heidenweg, St. Peter’s Island and viewpoints

The Heidenweg is a natural bridge connecting St. Peter’s Island with the Jolimont near Erlach, and it is a protected nature area. Reeds and shrubs along the Heidenweg provide habitats for numerous birds. The six-kilometre island trail runs between Erlach and St. Peter’s Island; one starting point is at the beginning of the Heidenweg in Erlach. At eleven interactive stations, the trail offers information about the flora and fauna, as well as the cultural history of St. Peter’s Island and its surroundings.

There is also a Grand Tour of Switzerland photo spot in Erlach. From there, you can enjoy views of the castle, the old town and St. Peter’s Island. The photo spot is on Stage 7 of the route, which runs from Neuchâtel to Bern, passing behind the Jolimont via Gampelen and the Vully. It is accessible only on foot. Public parking is available in the old town and at the Seestrandweg car park next to the Du Port restaurant; the walk from there takes about twelve minutes.

Activities on Lake Biel and seasonal attractions

Boats operate on Lake Biel according to seasonal timetables. If you’re planning a boat trip, check the timetable for your travel dates. Stand-up paddleboards and pedal boats can be rented on site at Erlach Beach. There is also a large sunbathing lawn for relaxing, playing and barbecuing, as well as a playground and a beach volleyball court. Rental services and facilities may change, so check before your visit if they are important to your plans.

A public guided tour of Cerlier, also known as Erlach, is offered once a month and starts at 11 am at the Cerlier landing stage. The registration deadline is Thursday evening before the tour. Check the date for your trip and be sure to meet the registration deadline.

Läsetsunntige takes place every year in September or October, over two weekends, as a wine festival for children and adults. The vineyards in the area around Erlach and on St. Peter’s Island grow on molasse soils; they benefit from the lake’s heat-storage effect and the microclimatic advantages of terracing. As the festival dates vary by travel year, check the dates for your stay.

The bakehouse in Erlach’s old town is open from April to September on the first Saturday of each month. Visitors can bring their own baked goods and drinks. As part of the baking experience at the bakehouse, guests can also help heat the wood-fired oven or cut and serve pizza. If you’re planning to take part in either activity, check the current dates and participation options in advance.

For the general travel overview: Erlach.