12 Swiss Bike Park – Schwarzenburg Gravel Loop

Naturpark Gantrisch - The gravel loop leads from the Swiss Bike Park in Oberried on the eastern side of the Sense via Niederscherli, Aekenmatt, Steinenbrünnen to Schwarzenburg and back on the western side of the Sense. The route has several steep ramps and climbs, which are compensated by a wonderful view of the Bernese Alps, the Gantrisch area, and the Jura.

From the Swiss Bike Park in Oberried, you ride down to Grabemüli and then back up to Niederscherli, to the first viewpoint on the terrace of the Weidli water reservoir.

The altitude difference after Mittelhäusern and into the Schwarzwasser valley is quickly overcome on the paved road. The route leads over the old Schwarzwasser bridge, with a view of the new lattice arch bridge under which the Schwarzwasser flows into the Sense. The flowing water has impressively shaped crevices and grooves into the sandstone slabs of the riverbed. Now the route climbs 180 meters in altitude over Aekenmatt to Steinenbrünnen. You follow the road to the church in Wahlern. The church is worth a visit. It is one of the best-known wedding churches in the Bern region.

The entry into Schwarzenburg takes a detour via Hofland or directly after the descent from the church in Wahlern.

From Schwarzenburg, it goes steeply down over the main road into the Sense valley. At Sodbach, the first refreshment in the Sense can be enjoyed in front of an impressive rock backdrop, or you take the momentum of the descent into the next climb to Heitenried.

Now you follow the course of the Sense on the plateau. The altitude is maintained up to Albligen. Even in this section of the route, the view of the mountains is impressive. Passing various small churches, the route mostly follows the official Veloroute 299. At Stockacher, the descent begins over field and forest paths down to Thörishaus. Over the Riedernholz bridge, the Sense is crossed one last time before the climb back up to Oberried to the Swiss Bike Park must be managed.