Sense- und Schwarzwassergraben

About this place

With its free-flowing waters, shady spots in the woods and many sand and gravel banks, the Sense- und Schwarzwassergraben is a popular local recreation area for Bern and Fribourg. The Graben is reminiscent of canyon-like river landscapes. In many places, the valley floor is up to 100 metres wide, and the sandstone rock faces are up to 200 metres high. The Schwarzwasser flows through it, one of the last Swiss rivers with a natural course, unspoilt banks and typical floodplain forests. The Schwarzwasser flows into the Sense, which then winds its way through the 15-kilometre-long Sensegraben. In summer, the gravel banks in the confluence area of both rivers are busy with swimmers and picnickers, and canoeists are also out on the water. Swimming in the «Glunngen», sunbathing, collecting stones – the Schwarzwasser and the Sense combine great natural and recreational value. Getting there: by train to Schwarzwasserbrücke stop (for access to the confluence area) or Schwarzenburg station as a starting point for a gorge hike.