Weissenburg: Bathing History and Suspension Bridge Trail

Weissenburg’s historic baths, castle ruins and Leiternweide suspension bridge trail each give the area a distinct character. When planning a stay, you can first consider whether you would like to set aside more time for local history or for a hike. The routes also vary in the time they take: from the station, it is about a 45-minute walk to the bath; the suspension bridge trail is listed as taking approximately two hours.

Baths and Local History

The Weissenburg Bath and Thermal Spring Association offers guided tours covering the thermal spring’s 400-year history and the two baths. The Vorderes Bad opened in 1849. Its grounds include a restored music pavilion, a barbecue area and an information pavilion about its history.

In modern times, the Hinteres Bad of Weissenburg was among Switzerland’s best-known spa and therapeutic baths. The surviving foundations show construction phases dating from the 17th to the 20th century. The ruins of the former spa and hotel buildings were restored in 2014/15 and opened to the public. The remains of the walls thus offer a glimpse of several construction phases, while the Vorderes Bad’s history, beginning with its opening in the 19th century, has a different chronological focus.

Weissenburg Castle Ruins are also part of the area’s history: they date from the 13th century and were once the seat of the Barons of Weissenburg. The castle hill rises immediately west of the village and can be reached via a steep road. A covered wooden bridge in Weissenburg was built in 1936 to replace earlier bridges.

Suspension Bridge Trail and Routes to the Bath

The Leiternweide suspension bridge trail is a one-way route from Weissenburg to Oberwil. Opened in 2013, the bridge is 111 m long and crosses the gorge 111 m above the Morgetenbach. The same number here refers to two different measurements: the structure’s length and its height above the stream. The trail is 6 km long, takes about 2 hours and includes 380 m of ascent. You can combine a visit to the bridge with a hike from Oberwil to Weissenburg.

A shorter route runs from Weissenburg station to the Vorderes Weissenburgbad. It takes about 45 minutes on foot; the trail is well maintained and very easy in terms of both technical difficulty and fitness. Along the way, the route follows carefully restored dry-stone walls. In terms of time, this walk contrasts with the approximately two-hour suspension bridge route, which also includes 380 m of ascent. Check the current conditions on these season-dependent routes before setting out.

At Weissenburg Station

At Weissenburg railway stop, you can fill bottles you have brought with water flowing from the Brünneli spring. It is described as having healing properties. If you plan to fill your bottles, check local conditions in advance.

Discover more destinations: Oey, Wimmis, Oberwil Im Simmental, Diemtigen, Därstetten, Erlenbach Im Simmental, Horboden, Niederstocken.

Back to the regional travel overview: Niedersimmental.