- 6 km
- 1 h 30 min.
- Easy
Short info
- Starting point
- Ausserberg,
924 m a.s.l. - Endpoint
- Niedergesteln, Weiderli,
633 m a.s.l. - Track
- 6 km
- Duration
- 1 h 30 min.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Ascent
- 44 m
- Descent
- 323 m
- Lowest point
633 m a.s.l. - Highest Point
924 m a.s.l.
The tour
This hike takes you through one of the driest regions in Switzerland. From Ausserberg a field track will take you to St. German and, from there, across Heidnischbiel to the famous castle church at Raron with the grave of the poet Rainer Maria Rilke. You should then take a stroll down the old narrow streets and visit the new rock-hewn church below the castle church. From the outskirts of the village follow the road heading west; after 1.5 km you will reach the historic village centre of Niedergesteln.
Alternative Route
Take the return trail at Rotten to the SBB railway station at Raron; Detour across the Joli Gorge suspension bridge in Niedergesteln
Meals
Various restaurants in Ausserberg, St. German, Raron and Niedergesteln
General Tips
for families highly recommended
Note the signage and any information boards on the spot. Further information about the Swiss footpath network and the signposting can be found here.
-
Point of interest
Castle Area (Burgschaft) Niedergesteln
The castle area (Burgschaft) called "gentes infra castrum" was first mentioned in 1376 and is located between the mighty ruins
more ... -
Point of interest
Chöif Square
The Chöif served formerly as a market and warehouse square. Romanesque ornaments at some of the oldest buildings link to this use. T
more ... -
Point of interest
Wefa House
The «Wefahüs» from the 13/14th century is the most outstanding houses among the privately restored houses in the castle
more ... -
Point of interest
The Zentriegen House
The striking stepped gable of the Zentriegen house dominates the image of Raron village. It was constructed in 1536/37 by the renowned ar
more ... -
-
Point of interest
The Maxen’s Loggia
The “loggia” at the rise to the "Stalde" in Raron was built by Stefan Maxen, the Vogt of Evian and spell lord of &l
more ... -
Point of interest
Culture Trail (Ausserberg – Raron)
The targets of the foundation «Der.Kulturweg» according to the official statutes are: " ... preserve cultural values in
more ... -
Point of interest
Heidnischbiel
The distinctive hill landscape between Raron and St. German has a prehistoric past, due to its location above the valley of the river &ld
more ... -
Point of interest
The Parish Centre in Niedergesteln
The present parish centre was built in 1578 on the foundations of a patrician house from the 12th century and increased by the presbytery
more ... -
Point of interest
Castle Museum
In the museum the local history is linked to the regional and supra-regional history based on personalities significant for Raron.
more ... -
Point of interest
Tomb of Rainer Maria Rilke
South of the castle church is buried the well-known German poet Rainer Maria Rilke. The epitaph was written by Rilke himself: “Rose
more ... -
Point of interest
Ice age cave Gestelnburg
Through the incredible forces of water and ice a cave dating back to the ice age was created on the castle rock of Niedergesteln, the Fes
more ... -
Point of interest
Rock Church St. Michael
The space for the rock church was completely blown into the rock below the castle church between 1971-1974. The church, with its 500 seat
more ... -
Point of interest
Priory Church
The various remnants such as the foundations and a crypt completely filled up show that the beginning of the church was in the 12th centu
more ... -
Point of interest
Vineyard Chalchofe
The Foundation «Der Kulturweg» renewed in 2006 and 2010 the vineyard as well as the dry stone walls and paths at the location
more ... -
Point of interest
Castle church St. Romanus
Following the floods of river Bietsch between 1414 and 1494, the church of the village was so strongly damaged that the residents in 1505
more ... -
Point of interest
World Heritage Info Point - Niedergesteln
Well informed about the World Heritage Region: The info point of the UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch offers a large pan
more ... -
Destination
Raron - Niedergesteln
After the floods of the Bietschbach in 1414 and 1494, the severely damaged village church was rebuilt. In order to protect it from furthe
more ... -
Point of interest
Gestelnburg
The castle on the Feschti in Niedergesteln originated in the 12th century and was considered as impregnable. The castle is the most impre
more ... -
Point of interest
Dry-stone walls St. German
The steep slopes of the sunny side of the Valais were terraced centuries ago for agricultural land use. Therefore dry-stone walls were bu
more ...