The Sigriswil Panorama Bridge has been attracting people from all over the world for a few years now. Here you will find everything worth knowing about the bridge and great tips.
One of the longest suspension bridges in the world
Who would have thought in 2013, when the suspension bridge in Sigriswil was built, that this would become one of the most famous bridges in the world? Probably no one!
The 340 meter long panoramic bridge descends about 180 meters into the valley and is therefore only suitable for people who are free from giddiness. The more people on the bridge, the more it shakes in the middle. Wide is the suspension bridge of Sigriswil about 1.2 meters, depending on the amount of people it can get very tight.
If you are on the bridge, you will be spoiled with a dreamlike view. You can see not only Lake Thun and the imposing mountain called Niesen. Also visible in good visibility are the world-famous mountain tops of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
Sigriswil – a community originally characterized by agriculture
The famous panorama bridge is located in Sigriswil. Even today, the region around Sigriswil is still very rural. You will quickly understand that agriculture was the only source of income for a long time. Especially agriculture, grass and dairy farming as well as viticulture were dominant in the 18th and 19th century. Today, many inhabitants work in tourism or in trade. Also various farmers in the Bernese Oberland and in Switzerland in general often have a 50% job elsewhere.
If you want to reach Sigriswil by car, you will find parking spaces directly at the suspension bridge (free of charge as of 2022). Further parking facilities are available in the village center about 100 meters away. By the way, there is also a public toilet for free of charge.
Circular hike over the panoramic bridge
If you want to do a leisurely circular hike of about 1h 15 minutes, you start at the suspension bridge Sigriswil and cross the bridge in the direction of Aeschlen ob Gunten. From here it goes back into the Gummischlucht gorge to Sigriswil.
Especially beautiful and impressive are the forests and huge roots. Also you can see the power of the water, which has managed to carve a gorge in these depths.
You can find the map with the trail here:
If you haven’t had enough yet, you can hike in about an hour from Sigriswil on one of the most beautiful panoramic hiking trails in the direction of Gunten. Various benches are waiting for you, perfect to rest and recharge your batteries. Please note that the path is very steep and not for sensitive knees. Furthermore it should be only done when the trail is ice free.
Why the Sigriswil Panorama Bridge was built
The main reason for building was by no means to attract tourists. But a more elementary one: the municipality of Sigriswil consists of 11 villages. The primary school children of the neighboring villages Aeschlen and Tschingel ob Gunten had to cross the dangerous Gummi gorge twice every day. A hike that took us a total of about 1h 15 minutes one way.
Therefore, one of the main reasons was to shorten the children’s way to school and make it with a supsension bridge less dangerous. Another goal of the Thun tourist region is to build a panoramic trail around the entire Lake Thun. Around 200 to 300 meters above Lake Thun, a circular hiking trail of 56 kilometers is to be created. This way, hiking around Lake Thun will be possible even in winter. The bridge in Sigriswil already exists, but in other communities the resistance within the population is currently still too big.
By the way, the bridge can also be crossed with a stroller or a wheelchair, which makes Sigriswil a perfect destination in the Bernese Oberland.
The area around the Gummischlucht is a wildlife protection zone. According to the ranger, rare eagles live here. Furthermore, the gorge is also a habitat for 20 species of birds.
Construction and maintenance costs panorama bridge Sigriswil
The cost of the bridge was about 1.5 million CHF, the annual maintenance costs are around 200,000 CHF. Therefore, crossing is not free for visitors. An adult pays 8 CHF, children over 6 years cost 4 CHF. However, the locals living in the villages don’t pay anything.
Thus, the construction and maintenance costs can be financed. By the way, the bridge could withstand a weight of up to 1360 people of 75 kilograms each. Do not worry, often there are only isolated people.
Crash Landing On You (CLOY) – Korean Netflix series makes bridge world famous
Since shortly after Covid, a particularly large number of Asian tourists have been appearing at the Sigriswil panorama bridge. For once, this has nothing to do with social media, but rather with a Korean Netflix series that was filmed at the location.
On this bridge, Son Ye-jin wanted to commit suicide in the fourth episode of CLOY. However, the main character Ri is able to stop the woman from doing so. But in reality suicides happen here again and again.
According to rangers, even base jumpers have already jumped illegally from the panorama bridge Sigriswil. Bungee jumping and other activities are strictly prohibited here.
