The villages of Oey and Diemtigen lie at the entrance of the idyllic and unspoilt Diemtigtal, the largest branch valley of the Simmental. This intact wide-spread settlement and the vast range of leisure activities in the valley make it a highly attractive destination.

Oey lies directly on the bank of the Simme River. Diemtigen is situated slightly higher, on a plateau on the left flank of the Diemtigtal with wonderful views. With 130 square kilometres area and 16 kilometres from end to end, Diemtigen is the fifth largest municipality in Canton Bern and stretches across several vegetation levels from the Simme at 640m to the Männlifluh at 2652m.

With focus on long-term development and attention to detail, Diemtigen has succeeded in preserving the original settlement character of the valley, and was awarded the Swiss Heritage Wakker Prize. The «Diemtigtaler Hausweg» is a trail that leads to the most valuable historic farmhouses. Three different paths lead through the scattered valley settlements. Detailed descriptions of the individual buildings are available in a brochure.

The valley is accessible by postbus route, which starts at the railway station at Oey-Diemtigen and runs via Diemtigen, Horboden, Zwischenflüh, Schwenden to Grimmialp. The forked valley offers a wide range of activities for sustainable tourism, especially focusing on families and those seeking relaxation and tranquillity. There are 200km of sign-posted hiking trails. The Grimmialp with its child-friendly circuit theme trail «Grimmimutz» is particularly popular with families. It tells the tale of a friendly mythical forest dweller who loves nothing more than peace and nature. Cheese-making can be watched at many of the alpine dairies in summer.

The Wiriehorn chairlift is considered the gateway to the most easily accessible ski region for the city-dwelling Bernese. In summer, the lifts transport hikers and mountain bikers up to the mountains.

Highlights

• Diemtigtal – unspoilt mountain villages nestling in an idyllic landscape. Holder of a Swiss National Heritage award for the preservation of architecture and the original settlement character of the valley.
• Nature conservation areas – Aegelsee moor with Aegelsee and Spillgerten with the Seebergsee (partly outside Diemtigen municipal boundaries).
• Diemtigtaler Hausweg – three different paths lead to the historically important buildings in the widespread villages of the Diemtigtal.
• Wiriehorn – modern ski region with quick access from Bern. Popular summer hiking and mountain biking region.
• Grimmialp – Starting point of several hikes, for instance the «Grimmimutz» family circuit hike. A popular family-friendly ski region in winter.
• Stockhorn – Hiking and excursion peak (2190m) with impressive panorama view of around 200 peaks in the Jura Mountains and the Alps. Access by cableway from Erlenbach near Oey