Zweisimmen

Zweisimmen is a town in the Obersimmental-Saanen administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. During the Middle Ages a significant trade route over the Alps to Valais and Lake Geneva passed through the Zweisimmen region. The cross-country slope begins at Zweisimmen and leads along the river Simme to Blankenburg. From there the trail leads to St.

A number of farming villages probably existed in the area during the Middle Ages. In the 13th and 14th centuries, local nobles built several castles, Upper Mannenberg and Lower Mannenberg, Reichenstein-Terenstein, Blankenburg and Steinegg Castles, to protect and collect taxes from the roads. The village church and its rectory, the ruins of Oberer Mannenberg Castle and the ruins of Unterer Mannenberg Castle are listed as Swiss heritage site of national significance. 

The wettest month was July during which time Zweisimmen received an average of 153 mm (6.0 in) of rain or snow. The driest month of the year was April with an average of 88 mm (3.5 in) of precipitation over 11.3 days. It’s a whole country in all its diversity, from the city to the countryside, with its lakes, peaks, forests and traditional houses. On board the Panoramic or Belle Époque carriages, the journey becomes magical.

Departing from Montreux, the train overhangs Lake Geneva all the way. Just a few bends left and it rushes down into the valley. It travels a few kilometres through the Gruyère district before heading for the Pays-d’Enhaut, an enchanting corner of the country which preserved in time. Now it’s time to head for the world-famous Gstaad and then Zweisimmen.