Bern to Fribourg via Schwarzenburg

In Köniz (575 m/1,887ft; pop. 32,000) a visit to the Morillongut country seat (1832) and the former Augustinian Provost St Peter and Paul is a must. The notable Romanesque church (Gothic choir with 14th C. glass and wall-paintings) was taken over by the Teutonic knights in 1226.

Driving from Berne, about 5km/3mi from Köniz the road cuts across the deeply cut valley of the Scherlibach. Another 10km/6mi to Schwarzenburg (795 m/2,608ft) where there is a castle of 1573, the 15th C. little church of Maria Magdalena with a shingle-covered 17th C. clock tower and the Swiss short-wave radio transmitter.

From Schwarzenburg road 74 leads west towards Fribourg through an upland region with far-reaching views, crossing the gorge of the Sense River on a covered wooden bridge (1.3km/1mi north, above the right bank of the river the ruins of the Imperial castle of Grasburg). Via Heitenried, 13km/8mi, (760 m/2,494ft) is Tafers (655 m/,150ft) with its notable church (oldest part ninth-10th C.; altered in 16th, 18th and 20th C.). After only a few kilometers the church towers of Fribourg are visible.