Freiburger Voralpenweg, Stage 1/5

The hilly and varied route offers panoramic views of the Fribourg Pre-Alps, the Mittelland and the Jura. The medieval university town of Fribourg, small hamlets with impressive sacred buildings and farmhouses and finally, the Gantrisch Nature Park enrich the hike.

From Fribourg railway station, the hike initially leads through the city. St Nicholas Cathedral, the cathedral of the Diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg, stands directly on the route. The urban surroundings are soon left behind, and beyond Bourguillon the marked hiking trail continues into the rolling countryside of the Fribourg region.

Open meadows and pastures characterise the roughly 20-kilometre route, interspersed with small settlements and shady stretches of woodland. Via Balterswil and St. Ursen, the trail undulates steadily towards Rechthalten; the Chapel of St Ursus offers a peaceful place to pause. The total ascent is around 800 metres, spread over a walking time of just over five and a half hours.

Towards the end, the trail climbs through the forest to the Buchenkapelle. Dedicated to St Anthony, the chapel was first mentioned in historical records in 1586. Shortly afterwards, the highest point is reached at around 1,030 metres. The route then descends via Oberschrot to Plaffeien. Connections for the return journey are available from the nearby Plaffeien, Dorf stop.