Hike Blankenburg–Grimmialp: over the Scheidegg from the Simmental into the Diemtigtal

Discover surprisingly secluded mountain landscapes from the Simmental to the Diemtigtal: The hike from Blankenburg near Zweisimmen leads over the Scheidegg to the Grimmialp and connects two beautiful valleys in the Bernese Oberland. Expect varied mountain paths, scenic heights and lots of nature away from the well-known hiking routes.

Hike start in Blankenburg near Zweisimmen

It is a glorious September morning when we begin our hike at Blankenburg station. The trail takes us past stately Simmental houses right through the section of the village that belongs to Zweisimmen. At the level of Betelriedstrasse 21 a signpost points left to a field path that climbs uphill toward “Baawald.”

Varied ascent to the Fromatthütte

As soon as we reach the edge of the forest, the path climbs in a zigzag on a forest trail studded with stones and roots. The trail runs for a long stretch through pleasantly shady woods. At waypoint 1249 the route branches off toward Stierenberg and Seebergsee. We keep right and now follow a surfaced path along the contour lines, gently downhill, until we cross the Betelriedbach. Along the way there are repeated lovely views down into the Obersimmental.

After that it becomes strenuous again: Across alpine pastures and through open stands of trees the at-times quite steep ascent leads up to Alp Tschachtlere. From here the route first continues uphill over open terrain before we plunge back into the forest. When we leave the woods the Fromatthütte finally comes into view, its flag already waving at us from afar. At the same time the view opens up to the massive rock faces towering to the right above the alp. We are lucky on our tour: the SAC hut is open and staffed. We don’t miss a short break and treat ourselves to a wonderfully refreshing Suure Moscht.

Over the Scheidgg into the Diemtigtal Nature Park

The highest point of our hike, the Scheidegg, is already within sight. Nearly 200 meters of elevation still separate us from this mountain pass between the Simmen and Diemtigtal. This section of the route is especially attractive scenically: on one side gently rising alpine pastures climb the slope, while on the other sheer rock faces tower up. And anyone who pauses occasionally and looks back will be rewarded with a beautiful long-distance view over the mountain peaks of the Simmental and Saanenland.

Via Alpetli down to the Grimmialp

Once the Scheidegg is reached, the compulsory part is practically followed by the highlight. The descent through the elongated Alpetli scores with the no less impressive backdrop of the Fromattgrat. This area is also home to a colony of ibex, and with a bit of luck you can spot wild ibex along the way.

From the alp building at trail marker 1622 the route runs for a short stretch on the graveled alp road. Keep your eyes open here so you don’t miss the junction of the footpath. It does not follow the alp road, but winds further downhill along narrow paths through the forest.

Finally we come across the mountain trail «Kraftort Grimmiwasser». We follow it for the last roughly 1.5 kilometers along the Senggibach to our destination at the Grimmialp.

Key details of the hike Blankenburg – Scheidgg – Grimmialp

The following hiking map shows the route of the hike from Blankenburg in the Simmental over the Scheidegg to the Grimmialp in the Diemtigtal. With the exception of the last roughly 500 m along the Senggibach to the Grimmialp PostBus stop, the route runs on white-red-white marked mountain hiking trails. Technically, the hike poses no particular difficulties, and there are no exposed sections.

Starting point	Blankenburg train station (960 m a.s.l.), stop on request
Accessibility	Accessible by public transport
Length	12.7 kilometers
Elevation	↗ 1,134 m ↘ 867 m
Duration	5:10 h
Destination	PostBus stop Schwenden i. D., Grimmialp (1,227 m a.s.l.)
Refreshment option	Fromatthütte (only staffed on weekends from late June to September)

Practical tips for the hike from Blankenburg to the Grimmialp

• Getting there and back:The hike is ideal for traveling by public transport. The starting point is Blankenburg railway station, which can be reached by train via Zweisimmen. From the Grimmialp you can take the PostBus back to Oey-Diemtigen station. For the return trip from the Grimmialp, be sure to check the current timetable in advance. Since PostBus services are not very frequent, it’s worth timing your hike to match your desired connection.
• Overnight in Blankenburg:If you’d like to combine the hike with an overnight stay, you’ll findBed & Breakfast at Schloss Blankenburgto be a particularly lovely base right at the starting point. We stayed there ourselves and were able to set off directly from the castle the next morning.
• Places to eat:Along the route is the Fromatthütte. It is staffed on weekends from late June until September. If you plan to stop there, it’s best to quickly check the information on thewebsite. On the Grimmialp there are additional places to stop for refreshments.
• Best time to hike: The highest point of the hike — the Scheidegg — lies just below 2,000 m a.s.l. Depending on snow conditions, the hike is suitable from mid to late June well into the fall.