Heimwehfluh and Rugen Forest Loop

The Heimwehfluh and Rugen loop is a gentle forest walk on the northern edge of Interlaken, in Matten bei Interlaken, canton of Bern, Switzerland. The trailhead is at Heimwehfluhstrasse 60, reached on foot in about 15 minutes from Interlaken West station or by bus to Matten followed by a short uphill walk. No permit or parking is required for the walk itself. The circuit is about 6 km long with roughly 250 m of ascent and takes 1.5 to 2 hours, which places it firmly in the easy category and makes it a good option for first-time hikers and families. The surface is mostly forest track and packed earth, with some steeper stretches near the Heimwehfluh hill and a few roots. Tree cover gives shade for most of the route, which is useful in summer. The hill is home to the Heimwehfluh funicular and a small leisure park at the top, and the path continues over the wooded Rugen ridge, where gaps in the trees give peekaboo views of the Aare, Lake Brienz and the Jungfrau massif. Because the route stays in woodland close to town, there are no alpine hazards, and it is a sensible choice when higher trails are in cloud. Refreshments are available around the Heimwehfluh summit station when it is open, but no natural water sources are marked, so a bottle should be carried. The funicular runs seasonally, scheduled from 5 April to 25 October 2026, and can be used to shorten the climb or the descent. Since the loop is short and returns toward Matten, bailing out is simple at almost any point by heading downhill to the nearest road. Walkers can extend the outing with a stop at the funicular summit or detour toward the lakeshore in the afternoon.