Riggisberg lies on a sunny plateau, an extension of the Längenberg, 20 km south of Bern. The village is known as a starting point for panoramic hikes and also for the Abegg-Stiftung with its unique textile museum.

Flower-decorated farmsteads, fields and meadows spread over the gently rolling pre-Alpine landscape of the municipality of Riggisberg. The village, at 765 m altitude, is the regional economic centre and touristic gateway to the Gantrisch region. The views from the hills around Riggisberg are spectacular, the Gantrisch and Stockhorn chains almost close enough to touch. To the south tower the Bernese Alps with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau on the horizon. The postbus service provides excellent access throughout the region.

In addition to Riggisberg Castle and the Rüeggisberg Monastery ruins, the Abegg-Stiftung is of particular cultural and historic interest. The internationally acclaimed museum, opened in 1967, displays an important collection of woven textiles from various eras and also has an adjacent research and restoration centre.


Summer


Numerous hiking trails and mountain biking routes access to the local Bernese recreation area in the Gantrisch region. Climbing addicts will get their kicks in the rope park or on the fixed-rope route up the 2175 m-high Gantrisch via the north-east flank. Nature lovers choose the Wald-Erlebnisweg (forest experience trail) near the rope park or the Gäggersteg, where it is possible to see the natural forest development on an area totally devastated by the Lothar storm in 1999.


Winter


The region is well known for its superb cross-country ski runs in the Gurnigel area and for small, family-friendly ski areas. Well-marked snowshoe trails can also be trekked by moonlight.

Highlights

• Museum Abegg-Stiftung: antique textiles combined with applied art, painting and sculpture (closed for building work to spring 2011)


• Rüeggisberg Monastery ruins: important point along the Jakobsweg (one hour from Riggisberg)


• Gantrisch rope park: between-tree acrobatics for everyone, with Switzerland’s highest platforms on which to catch your breath.