Frutigen – History, Tunnel and Suspension Bridge

High above Frutigen lies the ruins of Tellenburg Castle. The site offers views over Frutigen; at the same time, it is publicly accessible and free for everyone to visit. With its castle history, railway engineering and paths through alpine landscapes, the area reveals many different sides.

Culture

The BLS Visitor Centre is located in Frutigen’s historic railway station. The former station, built between 1901 and 1913, has been faithfully restored and now serves as the central starting point for guided BLS tours. The Visitor Centre is about a five-minute walk from Frutigen railway station and can be visited independently without a reservation during opening hours.

One focus is the Lötschberg Base Tunnel: at 34.6 kilometres, it is the third-longest tunnel in Europe. The guided tour of the tunnel provides information about its construction and operation. It begins at the BLS Information Centre in Frutigen and then continues by minibus to the north portal and Mitholz.

The area’s older history is also closely linked to its castles. In 1400, Anton von Turn sold the lordship of Frutigen, including Felsenburg and Tellenburg as well as all judicial rights and sovereign insignia, to Bern for 6,200 gold guilders because of pressing debts owed to the city of Bern.

The Zündhölzli Matchstick Museum is located in the former Zündhölzli match factory at Zündhölzliweg 5, 3714 Frutigen. It presents the history of match production in the Frutigen region. The Frutigen village tour offers another historical perspective: in 90 minutes, it takes visitors through the village centre, into the church and past the fire station of the Kulturgutstiftung Frutigland cultural heritage foundation. At the end, guests are invited to an aperitif at the foundation.

The traditional Frutigmärit market is always held on the last Friday in October. On this day, numerous market stalls line the village street in the centre of Frutigen.

Nature and Trails

The Hostalde suspension bridge is 153 metres long and is one of the longest bridges in Europe. Hiking trails lead to it from Frutigen. The Rohrbach–Hostalde suspension bridge–Frutigen route follows the Engstligen to the suspension bridge and then continues to Frutigen via a unique wooden sculpture trail. The bus to Rohrbach is used for this route; the return journey from Frutigen is also by bus.

Frutigen is a starting point for hikes through an unspoilt, vibrant natural environment. In summer, Elsigen-Metsch offers hiking opportunities in an alpine setting. Frutigen also provides access to excursions to the well-known neighbouring towns of Adelboden and Kandersteg.

Active Adventures

The Elsigen-Metsch ski centre offers beginners and advanced skiers enjoyable skiing on groomed slopes. For other activities, the Frutigen sports centre has an indoor swimming pool, outdoor pool and wellness area.

The Frutigen pump track can be used with bicycles, inline skates, skateboards and scooters. Use is free of charge, and the facility is open to the public. Frutigen is easily accessible by road and rail.

More pages about local destinations: Achseten, Krattigen, Kandersteg, Reichenbach Im Kandertal, Kandergrund, Frutigen-Ried, Kiental, Aeschiried.

Return to the higher-level travel overview: Frutigen.