--- title: "Lake view on the sunny slope" url: "https://www.interlaken.swiss/en/experiences/tour/lake-view-on-the-sunny-slope" description: "Anyone trying to classify the imposing Oberhofen Castle by its playful architecture will have a hard time: it is actually a medieval complex that was adapted in the 19th century to romantically idealized notions of the Middle Ages. Today, the castle museum, opened in 1954, serves as a branch of the Bern Historical Museum and houses an extensive display of living culture in the Canton of Bern. Nearby at the Wichterheer estate is a museum for clocks and mechanical musical instruments as well as the Im Obersteg art collection. From the landing pier next to the castle, the hiking path first leads uphill through the village, then east towards Klösterli. After crossing the Riderbach, you reach the sun-exposed vineyard of Oberhofen. In its upper part, the path continues to Längenschachen. From there, a path follows the edge of the Örtli forest close to the lake. At the Guntener village section Örtli, the next ditch flows in, which you cross with a slight ascent, before finally descending to Gunten. From Gunten, the route first heads up a paved road towards Hotel Bellevue, then continues on natural surface past farmhouses and orchards and through the forest. Along the way, idyllic views open up of the lake and the Niesen. After descending to Stampach, past vineyards, a road narrowing into a path leads to the scenic and flower-rich mountain meadow above Ralligen Castle. Through the Ralligholz and past the church, you reach the bus and boat station Merligen." language: "en" type: "SportsActivityLocation" image: "https://img.oastatic.com/img2/67864952/max/variant.jpg" breadcrumb: "Root > www.interlaken.swiss/en/ > Experiences > Tour" --- GPX Share Lake view on the sunny slope ============================ - 8.38 km long - Difficulty: easy - Condition: very easy - Hiking Trail - 2:40 h - 8.38 km - 380 m - 380 m - 559 m - 650 m - 91 m - - Start: Oberhofen - Destination: Merligen **The hike on the high path along the sunny slope above Lake Thun offers plenty of views. Vineyards and interesting cultural sites lie along the way. Several paved sections are also outside the villages.** Anyone trying to classify the imposing Oberhofen Castle by its playful architecture will have a hard time: it is actually a medieval complex that was adapted in the 19th century to romantically idealized notions of the Middle Ages. Today, the castle museum, opened in 1954, serves as a branch of the Bern Historical Museum and houses an extensive display of living culture in the Canton of Bern. Nearby at the Wichterheer estate is a museum for clocks and mechanical musical instruments as well as the Im Obersteg art collection. From the landing pier next to the castle, the hiking path first leads uphill through the village, then east towards Klösterli. After crossing the Riderbach, you reach the sun-exposed vineyard of Oberhofen. In its upper part, the path continues to Längenschachen. From there, a path follows the edge of the Örtli forest close to the lake. At the Guntener village section Örtli, the next ditch flows in, which you cross with a slight ascent, before finally descending to Gunten. From Gunten, the route first heads up a paved road towards Hotel Bellevue, then continues on natural surface past farmhouses and orchards and through the forest. Along the way, idyllic views open up of the lake and the Niesen. After descending to Stampach, past vineyards, a road narrowing into a path leads to the scenic and flower-rich mountain meadow above Ralligen Castle. Through the Ralligholz and past the church, you reach the bus and boat station Merligen. Read more Berner Wanderwege Good to know ------------ Pavements Street (20%) Asphalt (44%) Path (36%) Best to visit suitable Depends on weather - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec Directions Oberhofen - Längenschachen - Örtli - Gunten - Stampbach - Ralligen - Merligen Read more Equipment We recommend the following equipment: lightweight trekking shoes, light backpack, sun protection, rain jacket, pocket pharmacy, light picnic, enough fluids, mobile phone. Read more Directions & Parking facilities **Public transportation** Outbound journey: by bus or boat to Oberhofen/Dorf Return journey: from Merligen/Beatus by boat or bus Read more Additional information Bernese Hiking Trails, T 031 340 01 01, , Read more Literature Hiking proposal from the hiking book Short Hikes, hiking book series of Bernese Hiking Trails Read more License (master data) Safety guidelines This route runs entirely on hiking paths. Read more Map Swisstopo hiking map 1:50,000 253T Gantrisch and 254T Interlaken Read more Nearby ------ View on map - Event - Gastronomy - Customs, Market - Concerts - Place of interest - museums - museums - museums - Tours 5.27 km - Hiking Trail 10.14 km - Hiking Trail 5.83 km - Hiking Trail - Webcams - Media - Media - Media **outdooractive** Download GPX file - - - -