Gwatt: Moorlands, Lake and History

Gwatt offers nature and culture that can shape your travel plans in different ways. The Gwattlischenmoos and Gwattmösli are protected habitats, while Gwatt Church and Strättlig Castle offer a glimpse into architectural and local history. Lake Thun broadens the view of the surrounding landscape. You can take your interest in nature, architecture or history into account when choosing where to stay.

Moorlands and Birdlife in Gwatt

Gwattlischenmoos is a cantonal nature reserve and a fen of national importance. It covers about 18 hectares and, alongside Weissenau near Interlaken, is the largest contiguous area of reed beds and marshland on Lake Thun. Its extensive shoreline, with both terrestrial and aquatic reed beds, is an important breeding, resting and wintering site for waterbirds. Those interested in birdlife will find a habitat here whose importance extends beyond any one season.

The Gwattmösli nature reserve is a mosaic of open water, grassland and slope marshes, and is home to around 20 species of dragonfly. Due to its central location in the Thun urban area, it is accessible to a wide population and suitable for field observations by school classes. Alongside the reed beds and marshland of Gwattlischenmoos, open water and slope marshes shape the character of this habitat.

Gwatt Church and Strättlig Castle: Architecture and History

Gwatt Church in Thun was built in 1955–56 by Franz Wenger in the modernist architectural style of the 1950s. Its pulpit features wooden sculptures by Eugen Jordi. The church can therefore be understood both through the period in which it was built and through a specific work of art and its creator.

The medieval Strättlig Castle lies above the Gwatt district of Thun. It dates from the 13th century and was the ancestral castle of the Barons of Strättligen. After the castle was destroyed, a powder tower was built there in 1699. The ruins can be reached via a stone staircase and offer views of deep-blue Lake Thun. While the church stands out for its construction period and pulpit art, Strättlig Castle is defined by its medieval history and the site's later use.

Shoreline Walks and Long-Distance Hiking

In Thun, Bonstetten Park offers a public recreation area on the shore of deep-blue Lake Thun throughout the year. Park facilities include barbecue areas, green lawns and an adventure playground for children. A long walk through the park and along the lake is also possible year-round. Numerous benches beneath shade-giving trees provide places to take a break.

If you would rather include a long-distance hiking trail in your plans than go for a walk, consider the ViaBerna. It runs from Thun through park-like lakeside scenery towards Gwatt, then continues through meadows and forests to Spiez. The route thus connects the lakeside section with a landscape of meadows and forests beyond it.

Lake Thun and the Surrounding Area

In the wider Gwatt area, Lake Thun offers clear water, mountain panoramas from its shores and opportunities for water sports. The lake appears deep blue and surrounded by mountains; from its shores, you can look out over meadows, forests, the Alps and other mountains. Five castles and fortresses lie along the lakeshore. The wider lake area therefore offers not only nature and hiking experiences, but also water activities and historic buildings.

For visits to Gwattmösli, Bonstetten Park and Strättlig Castle, it is advisable to check the latest access information in advance, as conditions may change.

For the main travel overview: Thun.