Happy fish and hikers

From the train station it goes to the village center of Zweisimmen, where the signpost to Oeschseite shows the direction. Here also begins the Simmegrundweg and after a few meters you are already next to the bubbling stream. The Kleine Simme is the western source arm of the Simme and rises at the foot of the Schneitgrat; via the Simnegraben and Saanenmöser it flows to Zweisimmen, where it joins the Simme coming from Lenk near the airfield.

Soon on this hike you pass the first campfire site and shortly after the pretty outdoor pool of Zweisimmen attracts. Those who can resist the temptation continue following the wide Grundweg, which narrows after crossing the stream and runs along the Kleine Simme over roots and stones. The stream rushes and bubbles and gurgles, which is a joy – for the hikers on the path and the fish in the stream. The trout are even happier since a part of the stream was recently restored to be fish-friendly. Block barriers, water basins, deadwood, and root plates ensure that small and large brown trout feel comfortable. Additionally, a barrier was made passable for fish by raising the streambed, reconnecting a section of about 600 meters for the fish. The project was supported by the Canton of Bern’s renaturation fund. Further restorations are planned.

At the Hängelibrügg, go right uphill. After carefully crossing the main road, you reach the homestead of the same name above the Restaurant Reichenstein. Again to the right, you get over Vorderen Reichenstein, the Chäleweid, and along the Moseriedwald back to the Kleine Simme and to Zweisimmen. While the first part of the hike offers a bubbling stream walk away from the large tourist flows, the second part delights the eye with an unobstructed view over the Simmental and the mountain world beyond. If you only want to hike the Kleine Simme, you can take the train back from the Oeschseite station. An extension, for example via the Flüewald, is also possible.

Author: Godi Huber