--- title: "Across the language border into the Saanenland" url: "https://www.brienzersee.ch/en/experiences/tour/across-the-language-border-into-the-saanenland" description: "Why does the Saane form a language boundary? This has a historical background. In the 3rd century, the Alemanni occupied the east of the Swiss territory and the Burgundians the west. At that time, the Aare formed the border of the two population groups. Only centuries later was the border shifted to the Saane. Since the founding of the city of Freiburg, the creation of a bilingual capital, the two cultures, the German-speaking east and the French-speaking west, have been connected. At the starting point of the route, the Rougemont train station, you should follow the signs Le Revers and Saanen. Crossing the railway line leads to the Sarine, as the Saane is called in French, to Les Revers. From here, the destination Gstaad is marked on the signposts. The route now runs through the forest or along the forest edge, always near the Saane. Without noticing it, you have crossed the language boundary and moved from the canton of Vaud onto Bernese ground; the boundary stone is easy to overlook. A footbridge at the western end of the runway of Saanen airfield leads to the north bank. Along Saanen station, one continues to follow the Saane. Countless benches and several rest areas invite you to rest and linger. Finally, after the bridge at Mettlen, turn left. In short, the destination, Gstaad station, is reached. It is worth strolling through the car-free center of Gstaad before the return trip." language: "en" type: "SportsActivityLocation" image: "https://img.oastatic.com/img2/29399406/max/variant.jpg" breadcrumb: "Root > www.brienzersee.ch > Experiences > Tour" --- GPX Share Across the language border into the Saanenland ============================================== - 7.46 km long - Difficulty: easy - Condition: very easy - Hiking Trail - 2:00 h - 7.46 km - 57 m - 22 m - 970 m - 1,049 m - 79 m - - Start: Rougemont - Destination: Gstaad **The Saane forms a language boundary between the French-speaking and German-speaking Switzerland. On this effortless hike, this boundary is crossed almost unnoticed. Some sections on hard surface.** Why does the Saane form a language boundary? This has a historical background. In the 3rd century, the Alemanni occupied the east of the Swiss territory and the Burgundians the west. At that time, the Aare formed the border of the two population groups. Only centuries later was the border shifted to the Saane. Since the founding of the city of Freiburg, the creation of a bilingual capital, the two cultures, the German-speaking east and the French-speaking west, have been connected. At the starting point of the route, the Rougemont train station, you should follow the signs Le Revers and Saanen. Crossing the railway line leads to the Sarine, as the Saane is called in French, to Les Revers. From here, the destination Gstaad is marked on the signposts. The route now runs through the forest or along the forest edge, always near the Saane. Without noticing it, you have crossed the language boundary and moved from the canton of Vaud onto Bernese ground; the boundary stone is easy to overlook. A footbridge at the western end of the runway of Saanen airfield leads to the north bank. Along Saanen station, one continues to follow the Saane. Countless benches and several rest areas invite you to rest and linger. Finally, after the bridge at Mettlen, turn left. In short, the destination, Gstaad station, is reached. It is worth strolling through the car-free center of Gstaad before the return trip. Read more Berner Wanderwege Good to know ------------ Pavements Street (19%) Trail (28%) Asphalt (8%) Path (45%) Best to visit suitable Depends on weather - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec Directions Rougemont – Les Revers - Dorfrüti - Saanen – Mättlen - Gstaad Read more Equipment We recommend the following equipment: Light trekking shoes, light backpack, sun protection, rain jacket, pocket pharmacy, light picnic, enough fluids, mobile phone. Read more Directions & Parking facilities **Public transportation**Outbound trip: By train via Spiez and Zweisimmen to Rougemont or via Bulle and Montbovon to Rougemont Return trip: By train from Gstaad via Zweisimmen and Spiez and onwards or via Montbovon and Bulle and onwards Read more Additional information Bernese Hiking Trails Association, Bern, Tel.: 031 340 01 01, E-Mail: info@beww.ch, homepage: www.bernerwanderwege.ch Read more Literature Hiking book Short hikes 2 of the Bernese hiking trails Read more License (master data) Safety guidelines This route runs exclusively on marked paths of the hiking trail category. Read more Map Swisstopo hiking map 262 T Rochers de Naye and 263 T Wildstrubel 1:50,000 Read more Nearby ------ View on map - Tours 13.41 km - Hiking Trail 16.64 km - Hiking Trail 13.14 km - Hiking Trail **outdooractive** Contact 1659 Rougemont Download GPX file - - - -