Great honor for Hike&Dine: On the occasion of the launch of his new record “Glöggelä”, the Swiss “Alpentainer” Trauffer showed us his favorite hike: It is the “Schnitzlerweg” from Axalp to Hinterburgseeli. “The Schnitzlerweg is my favorite hike. Here you see all the splendor of the Bernese Oberland,” Trauffer said during the roughly two-hour excursion. “There are traditional wood carvings to see on this hike. They are human and animal figures carved from tree stumps.” Read all about our hike with Trauffer on the Schnitzlerweg from Axalp to Hinterburgseeli here.
Axalp – Hinterburgseeli: With Trauffer on the Schnitzlerweg
Two weeks before the launch of his new album “Glöggelä” we met Trauffer and his wife Brigitte in front of the Bretterhotel in Hofstetten near Brienz. “Today I’ll show you my favorite hike: the Schnitzlerweg from Axalp to Hinterburgseeli” Trauffer greeted us – and we were looking forward to it like little children.
The hike from Axalp to Hinterburgseeli is Trauffer’s favorite hike
We loaded our backpacks next to June, Trauffer and Brigitte’s dog, into the trunk and said goodbye to Brigitte. Up we went in the direction of Axalp. Already on the trip there were spectacular views of Lake Brienz. “We’re lucky, it’s perfect hiking weather,” Trauffer said. Arrived at the parking lot in front of the restaurant Axalp Stübli, we mounted our backpacks. “Let’s do this” he said, leading the way with June. So, for once, there were not just the two of us, but four.
Impressive wood carvings on the Schnitzlerweg from Axalp to Hinterburgseeli
After a few steps we were already on the Schnitzlerweg: “On this hike there are wood carvings to see, which I want to show you,” said Trauffer. “They are human and animal figures carved from tree stumps.” We saw carved, oversized hay barns, jumping fish, a happy hiker – and a boy “peeing” in the forest.
All three of us had to laugh. “These wood carvings were largely created by wood sculptors from the Brienz region,” Trauffer told us. When a storm devastated the forest near Axalp in 1998/99, someone had the idea of making wood carvings on the topped trees. The artists and woodcarvers from the region joined forces. Today, more than 100 carved figures stand on Schnitzlerweg and delight children and adults.
Schnitzlerweg: The tradition of wood carving from the Brienz region
“Wood carving has a long tradition in the Brienz region,” Trauffer told us. Not least because Switzerland’s only school of wood sculpture – of carving – is in Brienz. It is therefore not surprising that the well-known Trauffer wooden toys originate from this region. Trauffer’s grandfather Alfred Trauffer had founded the company in 1938 with his wife Rosa. At that time he carved the first wooden cow – the toy of thousands of Swiss children. Marc Trauffer is the third generation to lead the company. He is doing so since 2008. He has succeeded in establishing the name Trauffer as a brand.
Trauffer: entrepreneur, alpintainer and host
After about 20 minutes of walking, the view of Hofstetten opened up to us: “Down there you can see the Trauffer Erlebniswelt and the Bretterhotel”. The imposing structure immediately catches the eye. Trauffer told us how Brigitte and he have tackled and implemented the project over the last few years. And they also continued their education: “Neither Brigitte nor I were restaurateurs. That’s why we took the host’s license,” he said. Today, Trauffer Switzerland has 150 employees.
Solène’s Dine-Tip: Dine at Alfred’s at Trauffer Switzerland in Hofstetten
Visit the Trauffer Erlebniswelt and the Bretterhotel with us. At Alfred’s restaurant we had the Büetzer burger and a dry-aged steak. Read here whether we liked it:
Imposing views of the Niederhorn, Harder Kulm and Brienzer Rothorn
In the warm autumn sun, we continued hiking along the path that meandered gently upward. Besides the carvings, the hike from Axalp to Hinterburgseeli also offers impressive views of the mountain peaks on the other side of Lake Brienz. “I often do this hike with good friends. The view from here to the mountain peaks vis-à-vis is beautiful”. On this sunny autumn day we were especially lucky and had a clear view of the mountains. We paused for a moment. “There you can see the Niederhorn, the Harder Kulm, the August Matthorn and just opposite the Brienzer Rothorn,” Trauffer explained to us the mountains of his homeregion.
The dog June takes a bath in the Hinterburgseeli
The dog June discovered the Hinterburgseeli first. “Hey June, Brigitte is not happy about this. You’re not drying up!”, Trauffer called after the dog. Too late. Full of joy she jumped into the Hinterburgseeli with a big splash.
A beer, a biscuit and a chocolate bar at the Hinterburgseeli
Since we arrived on an autumn day around four o’clock, the mountain lake was already in the shade. Instead, the Oltschiburg peak, illuminated by the sun, was reflected on the surface. Trauffer packed 3 beers as well as Mutschli and Schoggistängeli from his backpack. “Cheers guys” – we toasted at the hiking destination, took some photos and enjoyed the quiet moment at Hinterburgseeli.
On the hike from Hinterburgseeli to Axalp Trauffer told us a few things about the new album
Trauffer plays with June, who in turn was in a playing mood. One can easily imagine families barbecuing here in summer and hikers cooling off in the mountain lake. I asked Trauffer if he had shot the video clip of his new single “Glöggelä” here. “We recorded the album in a mountain hut in the Valais. The video clip, however, at the Engstlenalpsee”.
It got cooler. We packed our things. On the way back, Trauffer told us about the new album “Glöggelä”. With the new album “Glöggelä” Trauffer wants to do one thing above all: spread good humor. “I want to entertain with my music and give my fans a good time.” And that’s what you get when you listen to the new record. The new songs are really fun [siehe Kasten unten].
“After work, people want to go to a Trauffer concert to get away from it all and have a good time.” And that’s exactly what Trauffer wants with his music: ” P. T. Barnum once said: (quote) the noblest form of art is to make others happy (end quote). I see it the same way.”
Arrival at Axalp
After a little more than 2 hours we were back at the parking lot on the Axalp. June jumped into the trunk. We stowed our things and headed back to Hofstetten near Brienz. We were all a bit tired from the exercise in the fresh air. And hungry. We were already looking forward to our visit to Alfred’s restaurant later.
The sun glistened through the autumn-colored leaves. The Bernese mountains glowed orange-yellow. Lake Brienz lay before us once again. “It is so beautiful here. I’m glad you can see it. Thank you for making the journey,” said Trauffer. We are glad that we could make the trip and spend this afternoon with Trauffer in his homeregion. We agree. It is beautiful here. Thank you Trauffer for showing us your Oah!Muh.
