Back

Facts and figures:

- 38,800 inhabitants in the town of Fribourg (82,700 agglomeration)
- 1157: the town of Fribourg was founded by Berchtold IV von Zähringen in 1157
- 2 languages: German and French
- 1 river: Sarine
- 6 towers, 7 gates, 7 sections of fortifications in Fribourg
- 14 bridges and 12 historic fountains


Our historic hiking tip – out of the town into the countryside

A walk from Freiburg/Fribourg train station to the lower town will reveal how “modernity” competes with the “Middle Ages”. The old town of Fribourg is deemed to be one of the most beautiful towns in Switzerland. Its location alone is enchanting: it nestles in an extremely picturesque location in the meander loop of the Sarine River and extends from the riverside via the lower town to the centre of the old town around the Cathedral.

The cantonal capital not only forms a cultural bridge between the German and French areas of Switzerland, it also boasts numerous bridges of special architectural interest.

Learn more

There are 14 bridges in total in the urban area and the oldest were built in the 13th century. The newest, called Poya Bridge, which was completed in 2014, is an impressive cable-stayed bridge with the longest distance between two piers nationwide. It is this oldest bridge that leads to the Gottéron Valley - according to a legend, a dragon once lived there.


So it is no surprise that the Fribourg-Gottéron ice hockey team and its mascot, the dragon, originated here. The Gottéron Valley is an area of natural beauty and a recreational spot for town dwellers, tourists and people in search of peace and quiet.

    View map
    • Duration - 3 hours
    • Length - 10, 42 km
    • Number of stages - 2 Stages
    • Ascents - 283 m
    • Descents - 368 m
    • Grade - easy (hiking trail)
    • Level of fitness - easy
    SBB timetableMap SwitzerlandMobilityDownload gpx file

    2 stages, hike Fribourg - Gottéron Valley

    Fribourg train station - Bern bridge

    The hike begins at Freiburg/Fribourg train station and soon takes you away from the modern and industrious town centre to the narrow car-free streets, with their rows of pavement cafés and shops. You go past bakeries, full of the finest pastries and cakes and chocolat au lait, past traditional Fribourg fondue restaurants and student bars. It’s not long before St. Nicholas Cathedral, Fribourg’s, landmark, looms ahead of you. A visit to the colourful art nouveau windows and the viewing platform with a superb view over the town are worthwhile. There is now a steep descent via Grand Rue and Stalden to the lower town. The Gothic façades, which number over 200, give the impression of a surprisingly well preserved town. Straight out of the Middle Ages!
    - Difference in altitude: + 8 m / - 93 m
    - Length: 1.9 km
    - Duration: 30 minutes
    - Technical difficulty: easy
    - Level of fitness: very basic
    SBB timetableMap Switzerland Mobility

    Gottéron Valley – return via Bourguillon

    The circular trail begins in Fribourg’s idyllic old town. Go across the Bern bridge, which was built in 1250 and has been periodically restored ever since. Take the Schmiedgasse and go past the town wall. It’s worth stopping at Restaurant Pinte des Trois Canards, whether for lunch or to look at the beautiful waterfall. Along the Gottéron stream the trail goes across wooden bridges and along shady stretches of the forest until you arrive at the old mill at Ameismühle. At this point it goes uphill to the Schürmatt farmhouse, which is situated on an open plateau. The trail then goes across fields and through forests. In Bourguillon follow the cantonal road for a few hundred metres, when you arrive at the medieval Dürrenbühl Tower you will go back down to the lower town and the starting point – the Bern bridge.
    - Difference in altitude: + 282 m / - 282 m
    - Length: 8.5 km
    - Duration: 2.5 hours
    - Level of difficulty: easy
    - Level of fitness: basic
    SBB timetableMap Switzerland Mobility

    Accommodation & restaurants on the hiking trail

    Our accommodation

    Would you like to spend the night in a historic town hotel in old walls, a cosy B&B in the town centre or even in a monastery?

    View list

    Our restaurants

    Finest gourmet cuisine alternates with student restaurants and fondue restaurants. The choice is amazing.

    View list

     More highlights in Romont and Fribourg

    Stained glass Trail, Romont

    A hilly hike in the heart of the green Glâne district, where you can discover various churches and their remarkable, well preserved windows. The starting point is the Vitromusée in Romont.

    Via Jacobi, Fribourg – Romont

    This stage combines the two historic towns of Romont and Fribourg and goes past important places of pilgrimage. From St. Nicholas Cathedral in Fribourg via the Ste-Apolline Bridge to the Fille-Dieu Abbey in Romont.

    Circular trail Hauterive, Fribourg

    The circular trail goes to what is probably the most beautiful monastery in Switzerland – the Hauterive Monastery. Pilgrims and guests are welcome here. Part of the hiking trail goes along the bank of the Sarine, then through rather wooded stretches. You can forget about time and the daily grind in the countryside here.

    Vitromusée, Romont

    The medieval castle in Romont houses the Swiss Museum of Stained Glass and Glass Art. The collection comprises stained glass from the Middle Ages to the present day. Demonstrations and taster courses are held on a regular basis.

    Around the village of Rue

    The village of Rue was built at the foot of a promontory on which a castle is situated, the former seat of the local lords. Rue lies on the route from Lake Geneva to Moudon and Avenches and is also a hub on the way to Romont. The first documented evidence of the medieval castle dates back to 1152 and the village was founded in 1264 by Peter II, Count of Savoy.

    Bare foot trail and tree bivouac, Romont

    In the garden of the old mill in Villarimboud, “Le Pied Total” invites visitors to take part in a voyage of discovery. The bare foot trail is best discovered with the owner Frédéric Perritaz. Visitors who wish to spend the night in a tree bivouac are also in the right place here.