ViaBerna
© Switzerland Tourism

Hike /Schweiz Mobil

ViaBerna

BellelaySustenpass

Distance
305.0 km
Duration
Ascent
13700 m
Descent
12400 m
Difficulty
Moderate
Fitness
Hard
Route type
One way

01/ Overview

The route

The Via Berna presents a cross-section of the diverse canton of Bern. From the gentle hills on the edge of the Franches-Montagnes, it crosses the highest Jura fold. Along the Aare to Lake Thun, across several Alpine passes and on mountain trails with incredible views, you can reach Susten Pass in 20 stages.

A long-distance hike of around 305 kilometres begins at the Bellelay, Le Domaine bus stop. The trail leads across open Jura heights and through stretches of woodland to Mont Sujet, descends to Lake Biel and continues through the Mittelland. The Alte Aare, Niederried reservoir and Wohlensee provide tranquil interludes before the route reaches the Bremgartenwald and Bern.

From there, the Aare remains a companion for long stretches. Passing through Thun, the hike leads directly to the shore of Lake Thun and on to Spiez. Beyond Aeschi, the character changes markedly: the mountainous section of the route begins at the Rengglipass, at just under 1'900 m. Narrower mountain trails wind through open pastures and rocky terrain, passing the Suls-Lobhornhütte.

The highlight follows in the Bernese Oberland. Near the Faulhorn, the route reaches its highest point at around 2'600 m, with the Bachalpsee lying directly beside the trail a little farther on. Beyond the Grosse Scheidegg, mountain trails, meadows and woodland continue to alternate. From Gadmen, the trail climbs to the Sustenpass, where the Susten Passhöhe bus stop lies close to the destination.

02/ Along the route

What's along the way

Where the route climbs and where it descends. Hover the profile to find the spot on the map.

03/ Conditions

Current conditions

What to know before you set off. Closures and snow are re-checked every day.

    • WKW Brügg

      From 10 Feb 2025 – Until 27 Nov 2026

    • Spiez - Thun Einigen Chanderbrügg

      From 8 Oct 2025 – Until 31 Mar 2027

      Die Brücke über die Kander ist nicht begehbar.

    • Suldtal

      From 1 Jan 2026 – Until 30 Nov 2026

      Infolge Unwetterschäden ist der Wanderweg nicht begehbar.

    • Bern - Seftausteg

      From 23 Mar 2026 – Until 9 Oct 2026

      Sanierung Seftausteg

    • Biel - Oberer Quai

      From 7 Apr 2026 – Until 30 Oct 2026

    • Hasliberg Gummen

      From 1 May 2026 – Until 31 Dec 2026

    • Orvin: La Bragard-Le Jorat

      From 7 Sept 2026 – Until 15 Oct 2026

      Infolge umgestürzter Bäume ist der Wanderweg aktuell nicht begehbar.

    • Grosse Scheidegg - Schwarzwaldalp

      From 14 Sept 2026 – Until 9 Oct 2026

    How we check: Every night we match the route against the official closures and detours from the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). Any reported closure that touches the route shows up here.

  • How we check: We look up a live public transport connection from your starting point to the stop closest to the trailhead. If it ends further away, the nearest stop may be a cable car or bus that isn't running right now.

  • How we check: Snow depth estimated daily at the lowest and the highest point of the route. Estimates: check the situation on site.

04/ Getting there

Getting there

From your door to the trailhead and home again, by train and bus or by car. Computed live from the timetable.

Or from

Bellelay · stop 12 m away

Outbound

Return

05/ Weather

Weather on the way

Forecast for the lowest and the highest point of the route.

Weather

Mountain
🌡️
Valley
🌡️
Rain today
Mountain
Valley
Rain

06/ Trail & landscape

Trail & landscape

Which paths you walk on and the landscape they lead through.

Trail Surface
On official trails
100%
Route length
304.2 km
Hiking trail
70%
Mountain trail
30%
Land Cover
Open land
57%
Forest
31%
Village
8%
Rock
3%
Water
1%

07/ Snow

Snow on the route

Snow depths, new snow and forecast. Estimates: check the situation on site before you set off.

Snow Info

Snow height valley
0cm
Snow height mountain
0cm
Snowfall last 24h
None
Last 3 Days
None
Next 24h
None
Next 3 Days
None
Relative snow depth

Comparative snow depth is only available from November 1 to June 30.

08/ Export

Take the route with you

Load the track onto your GPS device, print a route sheet for the trail or send the route to your hiking group.

  • Share

    Send the link to friends or your hiking group.

  • Export GPX File

    For hiking apps, GPS watches and navigation devices.

  • Print Route Sheet

    A4 with map, elevation profile, waypoints and emergency numbers.

    Print

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