Pfaffenloch

Pfaffenloch is a cave in the municipality of Toffen, canton of Bern, in Switzerland's Gürbe valley. It sits on a wooded slope and works best as a short forest walk with a good helping of local folklore, not as a ticketed attraction.

What is the Pfaffenloch?

Wikidata lists it as a cave in Toffen, at roughly 46.844 N, 7.484 E. Tradition holds that two monks, Ulrich and Cuno, lived here in 1072, linked to the Cluniac order. They were said to be devout yet fond of rowdy feasting. This is folk tradition, not documented history.

Where does the name come from?

"Pfaffen" once covered the lower clergy generally and turned derogatory only around the Reformation. The name therefore reads roughly as "the clergy's hole". A spring nearby was reputed to ease chest complaints.

Which legends surround it?

• A supposed tunnel to the ruins of Rüeggisberg monastery, almost five kilometres away. Nothing suggests it ever existed.
• Helpful dwarfs from the Leuenberg who vanished when someone touched their milk jug.
• A dwarf's cow whose cut-off flesh grew back.
• A farmer who finished work early on Saturdays after a dwarf made him hear a faraway bell.

How do you get there?

The nearest village is Toffen, between Bern and Thun. From the spot called Guetebrünne the walk takes about 10 minutes on an unpaved, steep path, partly up stairs. The Pfaffenloch also appears as a stop on the Gürbetaler Höhenweg, which follows the Längenberg moraine near Gantrisch Nature Park. One route description gives an altitude of about 881 m.

Can you go inside?

No. After a rockfall in 2017 the area is practically inaccessible, and the cave itself has collapsed. Wear sturdy shoes, and a helmet near the slope. Check closures and signs. In December 2022 a visitor found the suggested path blocked and climbed the hill above the cave by the regular hiking trail.

What else is in Toffen?

The village name is tied to tuff stone, quarried here from Roman times until 1983. Roman-era finds came from the old tuff pit. In the 13th century Toffen was a lordship of the barons of Belp-Montenach.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee?

No. It is a trailside spot with no ticket office or visitor facilities.

Can I enter the cave?

No. It has collapsed, and since the 2017 rockfall the area is largely closed to visitors.

How long is the walk?

About 10 minutes from Guetebrünne along a steep, unpaved path.

Is the tunnel to Rüeggisberg real?

No. It is oral tradition only; no underground passage has been documented.