Planetenweg Burgdorf - Wynigen
Discover the relative sizes of our solar system on the Burgdorf Planetary Trail. On a scale of 1:1 billion, an open-air model spread over a distance of around 6 km shows the size of the sun and the planets, as well as the distance of the planets from the sun.
Burgdorf – Waldeggbrügg – Binzberg plateau (653 m above sea level, start of the Planetary Trail) – Kaltacker – Guetisberg – Rutschiweid – Wynigen.
Directions:
Hiking time: approx. 3 hours
On the way to the Planetenweg, you first cross the Emme via the Waldeggbrücke bridge, where the former Wasenmeisterei is located on the left. The Wasenmeister was responsible for skinning and bringing animal carcasses to the Wasen (ground). Similar to the executioner, the profession of the Wasenmeister was disreputable and dishonorable.
The trail continues through the Waldegghole, which was part of the late medieval market route between Burgdorf, Kaltacker, and Affoltern. Through the Waldegghole, the Brunnstubenweg, and the Binzberghole, you reach the Binzberg. As you leave the forest, you will see the sun model on the right, slightly above the road, followed by the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, mounted on concrete posts at distances corresponding to their actual sizes in space.
Binzberg is the oldest town farmstead mentioned in records. In 1343, the Sels monastery sold the tithe to Peter von Seedorf in Bern. Binzberg has been urban since 1424. The current farmhouse with its late classicist façade was built in 1902. The granary dates back to 1791.
Before reaching the Deuchelacher forest house through the forest, you will come across Jupiter.
From 1347 to 1798, the clergy of Heimiswil also had to hold services in the Siechenkapelle chapel near Burgdorf. The connecting path, known as the Pfaffenweg, leads from Heimiswil via Deuchelacher to Burgdorf. From here, at the lower edge of the forest (signposted viewpoint), there is a beautiful view of the village of Heimiswil.
Further along the path, you will come across Saturn in the forest near Obere Rüglen. If you continue over the Egg, after a while you will see the model of Uranus on the left-hand side of the road.
Before descending to Kaltacker, you will come across the nail smithy on the left-hand side of the path. It was here that Jakob and Samuel Stalder began manufacturing forged nails in 1805 as a sideline to farming. At the touch of a button, the room is illuminated and visitors can look inside the workshop through the window.
At the fork in the road near the Kaltacker schoolhouse, the trail leads via the Guetisberg farmstead to the Rutschiweid farm, where the model of Neptune stands. The trail now descends into Chänerechtäli and continues up the opposite side to Wynigen. At the first houses, you will encounter Jupiter, formerly the ninth planet in the solar system. Since 2006, Pluto is no longer considered a planet, but a dwarf planet and is assigned to the Kuiper Belt, a zone with numerous small planets outside the solar system. Compared to the planetary orbits, Pluto's orbit is also significantly more eccentric.
When you reach the village on Luegstrasse, you will find a remarkable warehouse painted with the cantonal coat of arms from 1759 on the right-hand side of the road in Mühligässli.
On Dorfstrasse, you will find the stately Gasthof zur Linde inn on the left, which invites you to enjoy a refreshing drink after your walk along the Planet Trail.
Schools and groups
The hike is suitable for schools and groups.
Hiking time: approx. 3 hours
On the way to the Planetenweg, you first cross the Emme via the Waldeggbrücke bridge, where the former Wasenmeisterei is located on the left. The Wasenmeister was responsible for skinning and bringing animal carcasses to the Wasen (ground). Similar to the executioner, the profession of the Wasenmeister was disreputable and dishonorable.
The trail continues through the Waldegghole, which was part of the late medieval market route between Burgdorf, Kaltacker, and Affoltern. Through the Waldegghole, the Brunnstubenweg, and the Binzberghole, you reach the Binzberg. As you leave the forest, you will see the sun model on the right, slightly above the road, followed by the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, mounted on concrete posts at distances corresponding to their actual sizes in space.
Binzberg is the oldest town farmstead mentioned in records. In 1343, the Sels monastery sold the tithe to Peter von Seedorf in Bern. Binzberg has been urban since 1424. The current farmhouse with its late classicist façade was built in 1902. The granary dates back to 1791.
Before reaching the Deuchelacher forest house through the forest, you will come across Jupiter.
From 1347 to 1798, the clergy of Heimiswil also had to hold services in the Siechenkapelle chapel near Burgdorf. The connecting path, known as the Pfaffenweg, leads from Heimiswil via Deuchelacher to Burgdorf. From here, at the lower edge of the forest (signposted viewpoint), there is a beautiful view of the village of Heimiswil.
Further along the path, you will come across Saturn in the forest near Obere Rüglen. If you continue over the Egg, after a while you will see the model of Uranus on the left-hand side of the road.
Before descending to Kaltacker, you will come across the nail smithy on the left-hand side of the path. It was here that Jakob and Samuel Stalder began manufacturing forged nails in 1805 as a sideline to farming. At the touch of a button, the room is illuminated and visitors can look inside the workshop through the window.
At the fork in the road near the Kaltacker schoolhouse, the trail leads via the Guetisberg farmstead to the Rutschiweid farm, where the model of Neptune stands. The trail now descends into Chänerechtäli and continues up the opposite side to Wynigen. At the first houses, you will encounter Jupiter, formerly the ninth planet in the solar system. Since 2006, Pluto is no longer considered a planet, but a dwarf planet and is assigned to the Kuiper Belt, a zone with numerous small planets outside the solar system. Compared to the planetary orbits, Pluto's orbit is also significantly more eccentric.
When you reach the village on Luegstrasse, you will find a remarkable warehouse painted with the cantonal coat of arms from 1759 on the right-hand side of the road in Mühligässli.
On Dorfstrasse, you will find the stately Gasthof zur Linde inn on the left, which invites you to enjoy a refreshing drink after your walk along the Planet Trail.
Schools and groups
The hike is suitable for schools and groups.
