In the Niedersimmental there are three caves that can be visited. One of these caves was carefully excavated and yielded some of the oldest prehistoric finds in the canton of Berne. The three caves are called the Zwärgliloch (the dwarf’s hole), the Schnurreloch (the purring hole) and the Mamilchloch (the hole with the moon’s milk). To visit these caves, except for the Zwärgliloch, you must climb steep slopes where cables help you along.
We went to Oberwil im Simmental, the starting point of the hike, to try to visit these caves. We were in for a surprise, as it was raining, contrary to the weather forecast. By the time we reached Fahrniweiden and the foot of the caves, the rain had stopped. However, the ground was very wet, which is why we did not go to the two higher caves, the Mamilchloch and the Schnurreloch. We were content to visit the Zwärgliloch, which has been set up for barbecues.
On the way back, we followed the trail, which soon led us down to the road to Morgete. We were able to cross the Morgetebach on a suspension bridge, which leads to a series of steps on the other side of the river, down into the gorge. Once we reached the bottom of the gorge, we followed the trail past the old Weissenburg spa. The trail, which is narrow at first, becomes a good forest path that leads past the second spa and to the Weissenburg station.
We could have taken the train there, but we wanted to walk a little further. We therefore went to Weissenburg, crossed the Simme and followed the right bank of the river. We reached a place called Kloster (the convent). We crossed the Simme again there and climbed up to the Därstetten station.
Route: Oberwil im Simmental – Fahrniweiden – Zwärgliloch – Weissenburgbad – Weissenburg – Kloster – Därstetten
Distance: 9.3km
Elevation gain: 420m
Duration: 2h55
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