Grosshöchstetten: Church Art, Mill Culture and Hiking Trails

Grosshöchstetten offers several distinct reasons to stay: historic buildings and works of art, concert and exhibition venues, as well as trails and recreational facilities. The village church tells the story of different building periods, while Cacis Mill and Kühltür host concerts. Outdoors, options range from a panoramic high-altitude hike to a pump track and seasonal outdoor pool. You can tailor your stay to culture, exercise or both.

Historical Layers in the Church

The church in Grosshöchstetten brings together several historical layers. It features valuable stained-glass windows by Hans Zehender from 1597. During renovation work in 1978, fragments of three Passion scenes from the mid-15th century were uncovered: the Carrying of the Cross, the Crucifixion and the Deposition from the Cross. Works of art and archaeological traces from different periods can thus be seen side by side.

The surviving north side of the medieval nave also points to an older predecessor church: a 11-metre section of foundation in the north façade comes from a pre-Romanesque predecessor church. The underground part of the surviving north side can be viewed by arrangement with the parish office. The church’s size and excellent acoustics also make it suitable as a concert venue.

Concerts, Exhibitions and Cacis Mill

Cacis Mill is the last surviving testament to the historic industry along the Mühlebach stream. Concerts and exhibitions are held there regularly. Concerts of various musical genres are also held at Kühltür, though irregularly. If a concert or exhibition is a deciding factor in your trip, check the relevant date before making plans.

Another activity at Cacis Mill takes about three hours: participants shape a small figure from a piece of clay and enjoy a pre-ordered aperitif. This activity must be booked in advance. The culinary offerings include classic Italian dishes, a Mediterranean multi-course menu and a varied pasta buffet featuring homemade fresh pasta. Arrangements for food and events are made directly with the mill.

Pump Track and Outdoor Pool

The paved Grosshöchstetten pump track is located at the Thalibühl sports and recreation facility. It is a circuit with rollers and turns that can be ridden on any wheeled sports equipment. Use has been free since July 2024. In principle, the pump track can be reached on foot or by bike from the village or train station via Thalibühlweg and Hürnbergackerweg. Check the route locally before setting off.

During the summer season, the outdoor pool at Grosshöchstetten swimming pool has a 25-metre pool as well as 3-metre and 1-metre diving boards. The swimming pool also has a beach volleyball court. The seasonal note applies to the outdoor pool and its swimming and diving facilities, helping you plan when to visit.

Hiking with Different Starting Points

The approximately three-and-a-half-hour high-altitude hike from Arnisäge via Blasenfluh to Grosshöchstetten offers panoramic views across the Mittelland and Emmental, reaching as far as the Bernese High Alps. It mostly follows wide field and forest paths; there are numerous benches and fire pits along the way. The route ends at Grosshöchstetten station, at an elevation of 743 metres.

Another option is the “Hill Paradise and Alpine Panorama” hike from Emmenmatt to Grosshöchstetten. It is 12.6 kilometres long and takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes. Both routes end in Grosshöchstetten, but start in different places: Arnisäge for the high-altitude hike and Emmenmatt for the other hike. The estimated durations are similar; the starting point and route length provide additional guidance for planning.

Discover more destinations: Herbligen, Wichtrach, Aeschlen, Zäziwil, Oberthal, Münsingen, Oberdiessbach, Linden.

For the main travel overview: Konolfingen.