--- title: "On a historic path through the Rychebach valley" url: "https://www.interlaken.swiss/en/experiences/tour/on-a-historic-path-through-the-rychebach-valley" description: "Starting from Meiringen station square, head east along the yellow trail markers towards Rosenlaui. On the way to the Aare river, walk south through small streets offering many views of fields, meadows, and the magnificent mountain scenery. Upon reaching the water, follow the river east again. After crossing the Aare over the bridge, continue on the other side of the roundabout along the main road to Willigen. Following the Schattenhalb cultural trail, turn right onto Scheideggweg, an old mule track leading up to Schwendi. Before reaching the Zwirgi lookout terrace with its magnificent view of the Hasliberg, you can also admire the impressive 120-meter-high Reichenbachfall. After a short climb over meadows and through the forest, you reach the hiking trail section between Brigglesyten and Kaltbrunnensäge, awarded the Post Award 2025, which now runs along the Rychebach on natural rather than hard surfaces after rerouting. Continue over Gschwantenmad to the nostalgic Rosenlaui hotel. Shortly before Gschwantenmad, the valley widens and offers an impressive view of Wellhorn, Wetterhorn, and the Rosenlaui Glacier. Mostly near the road and the Rychebach stream, the hiking trail leads to Schwarzwaldalp, the endpoint of the hike. Background: The mountain pass hike over the Grosse Scheidegg was already promoted in the first complete travel guide for Switzerland published in 1793, \"Instructions for the most useful and enjoyable way to travel Switzerland\" by Johann Gottfried Ebel. The road leading over the pass today is only open for bus traffic from Schwarzwaldalp onwards." language: "en" type: "SportsActivityLocation" image: "https://img.oastatic.com/img2/622365070/max/variant.jpg" breadcrumb: "Root > www.interlaken.swiss/en/ > Experiences > Tour" --- GPX Share On a historic path through the Rychebach valley =============================================== - 10.37 km long - Difficulty: difficult - Condition: difficult - Great panorama - Hiking Trail Surrounded by mountain giants, it goes along the Rychebach. - 4:00 h - 10.37 km - 910 m - 60 m - 595 m - 1,455 m - 860 m - - Start: Meiringen - Destination: Schwarzwaldalp **The proximity to glaciers, mountain giants, and numerous mountain streams makes this tour an unforgettable experience. Natural wonders such as the Reichenbachfall and the Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge are located directly on the route.** Starting from Meiringen station square, head east along the yellow trail markers towards Rosenlaui. On the way to the Aare river, walk south through small streets offering many views of fields, meadows, and the magnificent mountain scenery. Upon reaching the water, follow the river east again. After crossing the Aare over the bridge, continue on the other side of the roundabout along the main road to Willigen. Following the Schattenhalb cultural trail, turn right onto Scheideggweg, an old mule track leading up to Schwendi. Before reaching the Zwirgi lookout terrace with its magnificent view of the Hasliberg, you can also admire the impressive 120-meter-high Reichenbachfall. After a short climb over meadows and through the forest, you reach the hiking trail section between Brigglesyten and Kaltbrunnensäge, awarded the Post Award 2025, which now runs along the Rychebach on natural rather than hard surfaces after rerouting. Continue over Gschwantenmad to the nostalgic Rosenlaui hotel. Shortly before Gschwantenmad, the valley widens and offers an impressive view of Wellhorn, Wetterhorn, and the Rosenlaui Glacier. Mostly near the road and the Rychebach stream, the hiking trail leads to Schwarzwaldalp, the endpoint of the hike. **Background**: The mountain pass hike over the Grosse Scheidegg was already promoted in the first complete travel guide for Switzerland published in 1793, "Instructions for the most useful and enjoyable way to travel Switzerland" by Johann Gottfried Ebel. The road leading over the pass today is only open for bus traffic from Schwarzwaldalp onwards. Read more Berner Wanderwege Good to know ------------ Pavements Street (10%) Gravel (6%) Path (7%) Asphalt (7%) Trail (62%) Unknown (8%) Best to visit suitable Depends on weather - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec Directions Meiringen – Reichenbachfall – Zwirgi – Rosenlaui – Schwarzwaldalp Read more Equipment We recommend the following equipment: sturdy mountain boots, medium-sized backpack with hip belt, sun protection, rainwear, hiking poles, first aid kit, picnic, sufficient fluids, mobile phone. Read more Directions & Parking facilities **Public transportation****Outward journey**: by train to Meiringen **Return journey**: by bus from Schwarzwaldalp to Meiringen or Grindelwald Read more Additional information Berner Wanderwege, 031 340 01 01, , Read more Literature Read more License (master data) Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author In Schwendi, a ten-minute detour allows a visit to the thundering Reichenbachfall. Also, a visit to the Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge is recommended – you should plan about an hour for the tour. Those who want to extend the hike can continue from Schwarzwaldalp further up to the Grosse Scheidegg mountain pass (about 1 hour 30 minutes and 500 meters of elevation gain additionally). **Note**: Entrance fee for visiting the Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge Read more Safety guidelines This route runs entirely or partly on marked paths of the category **mountain hiking trail**. Read more Map **swisstopo hiking maps**: 254T Interlaken, 255T Sustenpass Read more Nearby ------ View on map - Place of interest - Point of view - Tours 6.63 km - Hiking Trail 8.61 km - Hiking Trail 6.21 km - Hiking Trail **outdooractive** Download GPX file - - - -