ViaJacobi, Stage 28/33

Several forest sections characterise the way from Burgdorf to Bern. Between Thorberg and Utzigen, you walk along the old monastery path for about eight kilometres. In the forest of Boll, sunken lanes have cut deeply into the surrounding terrain.

From Burgdorf railway station, the yellow-waymarked hiking trail leads out of the town into open, rolling countryside. Passing between meadows, pastures and stretches of woodland, the route runs via Zimmerberg to Krauchthal. Schloss Thorberg remains in view a little way off; the complex was once a medieval Carthusian monastery and has served as a correctional facility since 1893.

Beyond Krauchthal, the trail continues to climb through woodland and across open hills. Near Chanzel, roughly halfway along the route, the highest point is reached at around 850 m. The route then descends to Utzigen, passing close by the castle, before continuing via Boll to Dentenberg. The constant ups and downs add up to around 1'000 metres of ascent.

In the final third, the houses of Bern draw closer. The route leads via Amselberg into the city and passes directly by Egelsee, a small lake set in a park. The final steps lead down through Bern to the Bärengraben. The Bern, Bärenpark stop is located directly beside the destination.