Discover Lenk: Nature, Winter and AlpKultur®

Lenk, also known as Lenk in the Simmental, is a municipality in the Swiss canton of Bern and belongs to the Obersimmental-Saanen administrative district. The area is home to a remarkable landscape known as the Gryden: this rare gypsum karst landscape is characterised by numerous sinkholes and crater-like depressions.

Nature

The circular trail through the Gryden starts and ends at the Leiterli mountain station. The route is 7.5 kilometres long, includes 340 metres of ascent and takes around two and a half hours. Another striking natural feature is Iffigfall, with a drop of more than 100 metres. The hike to the waterfall involves 250 metres of ascent.

D’Sibe Brünne is the source of the Simme at Rezliberg above Lenk and lies directly at the foot of a mighty limestone wall. The Wallbachschlucht mountain water trail leads through the Wallbach Gorge and is an easy circular tour starting in the village of Lenk. The route passes finely polished rocks and a waterfall.

The GEOpfad Lenk starts and ends at the Betelberg valley station. At interactive stations, it explains the difference between hard and soft rocks. The Swiss Trail Tour from Lenk also leads through rocky and high-alpine terrain and reaches an altitude of 2,654 metres above sea level at the Tierbergsattel.

Winter and Exercise

The Nordic Centre Lenk is home to Switzerland’s first public biathlon facility. Taster courses and lessons are offered there. During a biathlon session, a professional introduction to shooting and breathing techniques is followed by a course consisting of three 300-metre laps and two sets of five shots.

The entrance to the Lenk–Simmenfälle racing trail is located at the Nordic Centre Lenk. The Herzloipe trail also starts there, at the valley station of the Metschbahn. The Herzloipe is a mostly flat, 3.4-kilometre circular route that is particularly suitable for beginners in cross-country skiing.

On the Lenk valley floor, the Lenk–Simmenfälle valley trail offers 18 kilometres of classic and skating cross-country ski trails. The Betelberg high-altitude trail lies on Haslerberg at just under 2,000 metres above sea level and offers six kilometres of cross-country ski trails. Winter hiking trails are available in the village of Lenk and at Betelberg. Marked ski touring routes for beginners are available at Metsch and Pöris near Lenk.

Mountain Discoveries

The Murmeli Trail leads from the Leiterli mountain station to the Stoss mid-station. Along the Murmeli Trail, visitors can discover a walk-in marmot home at the marmot burrow.

Depending on the time of day and the wind and weather conditions, tandem paragliding flights in Lenk start at Metschstand (Metsch), Mülkerblatte (Betelberg) or Seewlenalp (Schatthorn). The Lenk flight area has landing sites at Lischmatte in the village and at the Metsch valley station in Rothenbach.

Culture

In the Lenk-Simmental holiday destination, AlpKultur® is regarded as a living tradition that is actively maintained. A village tour in Lenk conveys vivid stories about the history of the village. The village tour presents and explains up to 70 locations in the village.

Cinéma Lenk regularly screens Swiss premieres. The programme also includes cultural films, current blockbusters and children’s films.

Other Places

Zweisimmen, Matten, Boltigen, Sankt Stephan

To the overarching travel overview: Obersimmental.