Morgenberghorn
A hike from the Kiental down to Lake Thun: flowery meadows and forest on the way up, then open pastures and the clang of cowbells, and past the cosy Brunnihütte.
Three landscapes in one day
This route has more faces than most. It starts at Ramslauenen, at the back of the Kiental at 960 metres, and the first part is simply lovely: a path winding up through flowery meadows and forest, with the snowy peaks at the head of the valley behind you every time you turn round. None of it is difficult, all of it is a reason to walk slower.
The trail crosses the Latrejegrat at just under 1980 metres — and then drops fairly far again, to around 1500 metres at Mittelberg. That is the price of this route: the 1750 metres of ascent don’t come in one piece but in two helpings. The second half is more open, wide pasture and cows everywhere. From the Rengglipass the path pulls straight up to the summit.
The descent pays you back twice. First the Brunnihütte at 1660 metres — exactly where you want a cold drink. Then a thousand metres and more down to Leissigen, with the turquoise Lake Thun in front of you the whole way.
Tip: it works well as a trail run, but treat the descent with respect. 2150 metres downhill over 19 kilometres is a lot of work for the legs.
How it went for me
For the first two hours I mostly looked rather than walked — that’s how prettily the path winds through the meadows. Since I wanted to meet two friends at the Brunnihütte, I had no time left (and no energy left either) to carry on all the way to the summit. Handily, from the Rengglipass you can skirt the Morgenberghorn on the left and drop straight to the Brunnihütte. The rest was a long, sunny descent to Leissigen, the turquoise Lake Thun in view the whole time.
Want to walk this one with me?
I’ll start guiding small groups soon. Leave your email and I’ll write when I schedule this hike.