Schafberg

Schafberg is a 2,239 m summit rising above Boltigen in Switzerland's Simmental valley. It stands on the border between the cantons of Bern and Fribourg, north of the Jaun Pass, and is the highest point of the range north of that pass.

Where is Schafberg?

The peak sits where two cantons meet, at the edge of the Bernese Alps and the Fribourg Pre-Alps. On the Bernese side, Boltigen lies below it in the Simmental; on the Fribourg side, the village of Jaun (Bellegarde) lies in the Gruyère region. The summit is at roughly 46°38′ N, 7°19′ E. Do not confuse it with the Austrian Schafberg above Lake Wolfgangsee, which has a cog railway: that is an entirely different mountain.

How high and how prominent is it?

The usual figure is 2,239 m, though some regional guides list 2,235 m. Its prominence is 731 m, and the nearest higher point is 11.8 km away, northeast of the Dent de Savigny. The key col is the Jaun Pass (1,508 m) and the parent peak is the Dent de Savigny. This isolation makes Schafberg the most isolated mountain in the canton of Fribourg and gives it a wide outlook over the surrounding valleys.

How do you get to the area?

Boltigen in the Simmental and Jaun on the far side of the pass are the natural starting points. The Jaun Pass at 1,508 m is a handy base for walks in this range. Around Jaun there are marked mountain loops, for example one via Sattelspitzen to the Chalet du Grat (about 14 km and 710 m of climbing, per Komoot); that is a neighbouring objective, not a route description for Schafberg itself. For detailed ascent reports, check sites such as Hikr.

What to know before you go

• The summit is above 2,200 m, so weather can turn quickly; check the forecast for the Jaun area first.
• Plan for the snow-free season, usually late spring through summer.
• Carry a swisstopo map or an offline app, since the terrain straddles two cantons.
• Boltigen and Jaun offer lodging and food in the valleys.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Schafberg near Boltigen? 2,239 m above sea level per Wikipedia; some sources give 2,235 m.

Which canton is it in? On the border of Bern and Fribourg, above Boltigen and north of Jaun.

Is this the Schafberg with the cog railway? No. The cog railway climbs the Schafberg in Austria's Salzkammergut, above Wolfgangsee.

Which pass is nearest? The Jaun Pass at 1,508 m, which separates the Simmental from the Gruyère region.