Rabenflue

Rabenflue (often spelled Rabeflue on local trail pages) is a wooded hill with a lookout above the town of Thun in the canton of Bern. It is the high point of a well-loved loop on the slope above Lake Thun and makes an easy half-day outing from the town centre.

What will you see from Rabenflue?

The lookout gives you a bird's-eye view of Thun's rooftops and the lake. Several earlier stops on the path offer similar outlooks, and on clear days the Stockhorn range and the Aare valley towards Steffisburg come into view. At the top there is a fire pit with a picnic table, and the Rabeflüehütte hut sits a few hundred metres further along the trail, handy when the benches at the viewpoint are taken. The route also passes the Jakobshübeli viewing pavilion.

How do you get there?

The most common loop starts at the Thunerhof bus stop in Thun. It covers about 8 km with roughly 320 m of climbing and takes around 2.5 hours. The going is easy, with about 54% on paths and the rest on streets. The variant from the Göttibach district starts steeply: about 300 m of height gain in the first 2 km on a narrow root-covered forest path with wooden steps. The top is reached after roughly an hour. A shorter option begins in Goldiwil, at about 5 km and 1.5 hours.

Take the train from Bern to Thun, then walk or ride a bus to Hofstettenstrasse. By car, leave the A6 at Thun-Nord and park at the Göttibach car park. Parking costs 2 CHF per hour Monday to Saturday and 1 CHF on Sundays and public holidays, and spaces are limited.

How do you get back?

You can descend through the Cholerenschlucht gorge to Hünibach and on to the boat landing, then return by ship or by bus line 21 from the Hünibach, Chartreuse stop. The gorge is closed from 1 November to 31 March because of rockfall. The alternative is the car-free Brahms-Quai promenade along the Aare.

When should you go and what should you bring?

Dry days from spring to autumn are best. Forest roots and soil turn slippery after rain, so wear hiking boots. Poles and sun or rain protection help too. There are no restaurants or kiosks along the route, so pack food and water.

Frequently asked questions

Is Rabenflue suitable for children?

Yes, children manage the loop well, but it does not work for strollers. The steep sections follow a forest path with steps.

How long does the hike take?

The full loop from Thun is about 2.5 hours on foot. The viewpoint itself is roughly an hour from the start.

Can you barbecue there?

There is a fire pit and picnic table at the viewpoint, and the route also passes a barbecue spot with a view of the rock.

Does Rabenflue have one agreed height?

Trail pages quote different figures, so check swisstopo before you go. You do not need the number to find it, since the trail is well signposted.