Urtenen-Schönbühl: NaturSolebad, Hiking and Local History

Urtenen-Schönbühl is located around 10 kilometres from Bern and is part of the Swiss capital’s urban agglomeration. There are several ways to shape your stay: visit the NaturSolebad Schönbühl, go for a hike starting from the Urtenen RBS railway station, or explore the area’s architectural and local history. You can choose your hotel based on what you would like to do during your stay.

NaturSolebad and trails for active days

Solbad Schönbühl is Switzerland’s largest NaturSolebad. The water area covers 600 m², and the water temperature is 35 °C. The NaturSole bathing area includes indoor and outdoor pools, massage jets, and bubble seats and loungers. The sauna area at Solbad & Spa Schönbühl includes a bio sauna, a Finnish sauna, an earth-and-fire sauna, a panoramic infusion sauna and an herbal steam bath. Swimming and sauna bathing are therefore clear options to consider when planning your stay. Check operating details before visiting.

The surrounding landscape offers a different focus: it is suited to walks and cycling tours, and is characterised by the gentle hills of the Urtenental valley, forests and fields. One specific longer route is the roughly two-and-a-half-hour hike “Detours to Jegenstorf”. It starts at the Urtenen RBS railway station and leads to Jegenstorf, through the Oberdorf—the old part of Urtenen—and on to Buebeloo Forest. The route follows paved surfaces for long stretches; take this surface into account when planning. The approximate duration provides a guide for time planning, but does not describe the trail conditions.

Local history and architecture

The oldest traces of settlement in Urtenen-Schönbühl date back to the Neolithic period; Urtenen was first mentioned in a document in 1249. Decorated gold-foil spheres were found in a Celtic burial mound in the Grauholz Forest. They date from 750 to 480 BC and are from the Iron Age.

Urtenen Church was built from exposed concrete between 1966 and 1968 and has distinctive modern architecture. Its floor plan forms a parabola that extends into infinity; the exterior is reminiscent of a flower’s chalice. The church regularly hosts services as well as films, theatre, discussion groups and debates, and meditative and ecumenical events. The specific events on offer vary.

Older buildings also contribute to the local streetscape: the granary at Lindhohleweg 23b was built in 1707 and is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the municipality. Urtenen-Schönbühl has 40 buildings worthy of protection in total. The Landgasthof Schönbühl is a historic sandstone building dating from 1846 in the village centre. The restaurant serves regional Bernese specialities and seasonal dishes from the region.

Getting there and practical planning

Urtenen-Schönbühl is served by SBB, RBS and local bus stops in Schönbühl, as well as RBS stops in Shoppyland and Urtenen. During the day, RBS trains between Urtenen and Bern run every 15 minutes. Timetables may change, so check the current timetable before travelling.

For cycling trips, the municipality offers one or two e-bikes for hire as part of a pilot project in partnership with Steve’s Bike Point. Pick-up and return are at Steve’s Bike Point, Solothurnstrasse 19, in Urtenen-Schönbühl. Booking a few days in advance is recommended; check availability beforehand.

Market and gathering places

The 11i-Märit is a village market and meeting place in Urtenen-Schönbühl. It features stalls selling goods and providing information, food and drinks, activities for children and stage entertainment. Individual programme items may change. From March to October, the Kulturplatz is furnished and surrounded by shade-providing plants; it is a pleasant place to spend time and can be rented for events. Seasonal furnishings and rental conditions may change.

Discover more destinations: Münchenbuchsee, Deisswil Bei Münchenbuchsee.

Return to the main travel overview: Fraubrunnen.