Just 150 km from Geneva is the resort village of Lenk. Very often in guidebooks you can find another name for this village – Simmental. In the village of Lenk, tourists are waiting for the amazing beauty of the mountains, endless forests, and the coniferous aroma of the air. The pride of the village of Lenk is the highest level of service and the best technical equipment of snow parks. Among other things, Lenk is famous for its healing factors. There are 2 thermal sulfur springs nearby. Baths with this water are used to treat skin and other types of diseases.

The ski resort of Lenk im Simmental is well known in Switzerland, and even in some neighboring countries. It is located in the canton of Bern and is easily accessible by train or public transport. From the capital of the country, Bern, it takes just 1 hour and 50 minutes to reach the lower station. There is free parking next to the train station, which makes the process of moving convenient. There is a train from Bern to Lenk, with only 1 change. Upon arrival at the train station, you can take a regular bus that will take you directly to the cable car.

Lenk is considered the most beautiful valley in the entire canton of Bern. The mountains surrounding the city and the resort are simply breathtaking! As soon as the first snow falls, Lenk turns into a winter wonderland.

Historical background

Long before the first spa tourists arrived in the Simmental Valley, Stone Age hunters had already gathered there. The neighboring inhabitants of the Valais canton also sought wealth in these lands. The Weissenburg thermal water became popular in 1604. From 1686, members of high society began to stay in Lenk for health purposes. Around the 1900s, the resort had 250 beds, mainly in the summer. Winter sports soon began to develop.

The English played a crucial role in the development of foreign tourism in Lenk. They were responsible for helping Lenk “break through” to the market, and they were the initiators of the start of construction of the first transport system – the famous “Funy” funicular. Among the many guests of Lenk was Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery of Alame, the commander-in-chief of the Allied land forces in World War II, who spent many weekends in Lenk.

The 7 springs of the Zimme River, from which the valley derives its name, are located on the Rezliberg hill just above Lenk, right at the foot of a mighty limestone wall. The Zimme springs erupt in massive white foam. In summer, up to 2,800 liters of water flow through the 7 springs every second. And, indeed, the “7 Zimme Springs” are a magical waterfall that is a leading source of strength and a wonderful place to spend your leisure time.

Waterfall at the “Seven Springs of Zimme”

Just above Weissenburg, a warm spring flows out of a rocky gorge. For 350 glorious years, the Weissenburg Baths were a famous spa. In 1604, the Bern city council had a swimming pool built, the water of which came directly from the spring. A special caretaker was hired for this pool. In order to organize the reception of people wishing to improve their health, a building and a fenced area for the swimming pool were built in 1875. The Weissenburg Bath had up to 300 beds at the time and became a meeting place for the European upper class. After the Dutch Queen Wilhelmina and her daughter came to heal here in 1938, and after Princess Juliana married Prince Bernard, the flow of tourists increased rapidly.

Today, Lenk has the Lenkerhof Gourmet Spa Resort. This hotel offers an outdoor pool with sulfur water that has been flowing for almost 350 years. Hydromassage sulfur baths with a temperature of +34°C gently massage the back. Bathing in this water has a beneficial effect on the skin, helps to relieve skin diseases, rheumatism, and joint pain. It also stimulates the metabolism and helps to get rid of toxins.

Hotel Lenkerhof Gourmet Spa Resort 5*

Slopes and lifts

The Simmental Valley offers its own unique 5 ski resorts. Wonderful ski slopes, high-class modern lifts and some secret spots are waiting for you!

In the Adelboden-Lenk ski resort, everyone will find their own unique slope. A wide selection of crossbars and obstacles await freestylers and snowboarders in the Gran Masta Park (GMP) on the Hahnenmus. Cross-country skiers can carve the slopes along the Metsch, while beginners can practice their turns on the flat slopes of the Bühlberg.

Gran Masta Park

Snowboarders and freeriders feel at home in the Gran Masta Park. Three lines offer everyone – from beginners to professionals – a challenge! More than 30 jumps, runs and obstacles invite you to snowboard and freeski. The Gran Masta Park is considered one of the largest snow parks in Switzerland.

Locals and experts know many secret trails, with which the resort will provide the opportunity to make a “trip” on skis or snowboards.

The Betelberg ski resort, located on the other side of the city, has a fairly good infrastructure, snow cannons, and is suitable for family holidays, and is also known for its wide slopes – just perfect for beginners! Children can spend the whole day in the Kids Village at the Stoss mountain railway station. In addition, they can be looked after and entertained for only 5 francs / hour. The permanently operating snow cross track on the Hasler will make everyone’s heart beat faster, while cozy alpine bars invite you to spend a couple of hours in a simple way.

There are 3 schools that teach skiing and cross-country skiing. They have the perfect offer for the whole family, for snowboarders, adrenaline seekers and many more! There is no experience they cannot teach: from group lessons in basic skiing for young children to private lessons in biathlon.

In the west: Gstaad ski area

In the east: Adelboden-Frutigen ski area

Lenk is not so high. The altitude of the resort starts at 1068 meters and reaches 2200 meters. The season lasts from late November – mid-December to mid-April.

Starting from the WINTER 2016/2017 season, guests will get more for the same money. When you book at least 1 night at the resort with breakfast, you will receive a day ski pass for skiing in the Adelboden-Lenk area – at the best price!

Mountain lift in Lenk-Simmental

There are also special offers for families.

Summer in the resort

When the snow melts into the lush alpine meadows, Simmental transforms into a hiking paradise with over 600 km of well-maintained hiking trails. Whether you’re on an easy walk, on the most challenging mountain routes, or on the numerous bike routes, past glaciers, crystal-clear mountain lakes, and rushing waterfalls, you’ll enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of countless mountain peaks. For guests who want to enjoy nature, there are themed routes.

Summer hiking in Lenk

Summer sports activities:

– hiking (thematic routes);

– cycling;

– alpine cultural events;

– tennis;

– outdoor playgrounds;

– children’s programs / kids’ clubs.

Family holidays

Children are especially welcome in Lenk! The quality seal “Family resort” is a source of pride for the entire valley. Lenk im Simmental focuses its offers on a specific target group. Attractive and varied children’s programs will satisfy our guests with families. They can expect pizza making, pirate camps, go-kart building, weaving, ceramic painting, adventures in the rope park, etc. Moreover, in Lenk im Simmental, rail travel is included in the price of 1 night’s stay in the hotel.

Entertainment

After an eventful day of skiing along 210 km of beautiful slopes, and as the sun sets, après-ski begins to beckon. Cozy cabins, snow bars, pubs and the legendary wigwam offer a rustic end to the day.

Very few complaints are received about noise, and if there is an event that could increase the noise level, guests are warned in advance. In this situation, there are none of these problems.

Lenk is famous for the Lenk Jazz festival. But it is not limited to one jazz festival. What other interesting events does the resort have?

The events are very diverse. The main attraction is Alpine culture. In the fall, the cows come down from the pastures and the traditional Alpine festival takes place – the cultural event of the year. In various workshops, guests can meet Yodel performers, play the Alpine horn, play the role of a cheese maker, and also try wrestling and hornussen (an original Swiss sport).

Alpine Festival in Lenk

In addition to these and many other activities, there is the opportunity to ride sled dogs, take part in a night race in winter, and listen to jazz and gospel in summer.

Where to stay

It is not possible to say for sure whether guests prefer to stay in hotels, residences or chalets. Many people buy their own accommodation here and host many guests in rented chalets, but there are also beautiful hotels that are popular with guests.

The most popular and well-known hotel is the Lenkerhof Gourmet Spa Resort, which appeals mainly to the upper class. It is a 5 * hotel that offers excellent quality, a wide range of services in the wellness area, different room categories and exquisite cuisine.

Lenkerhof Gourmet Spa Resort 5-star hotel

The Lenkerhof Gourmet Resort & Spa is located in Lenk, near Gstaad. Guests can enjoy a wide range of modern wellness facilities and services, including indoor and outdoor pools, steam baths, saunas and hot tubs.

The spa resort features the 7sources beauty spa with a Finnish sauna, an outdoor sulfur pool and an acoustic bath. A variety of beauty and massage treatments are available.

The à la carte restaurant, with its excellent chef and wonderful views of the winter garden, serves delicious Mediterranean and Swiss cuisine with a French touch. A wine tasting is available at 6:00 p.m.

The Lenkerhof Gourmet Spa Resort offers quiet, elegant rooms with free soft drinks from the minibar.

Private indoor parking is available at an additional cost. Outdoor parking is free for guests.

In the summer months, the cable cars to the Betelberg and Metzstand mountain peaks are included in the price. In addition, guests receive a SIMMENTAL card for free travel on all bus routes in Lenk (except the Laubbargl route) and special discounts on some activities in the summer season.

In the winter months, guests enjoy free travel on all bus routes in Lenk, including the ski bus from Lenk bus station to Belleberg valley bus station to Metz valley bus station. Guests also receive special discounts on some activities in the winter season.

Hotel Simmenhof 4-star hotel

The family-run Hotel Simmenhof is located 1 km from the centre of Lenk in the Simmen Valley and offers panoramic mountain views. It features an à la carte restaurant serving regional cuisine, a spa area with indoor and outdoor pools, and a free shuttle service to the ski slopes and the town centre.

All rooms at the Simmenhof have a balcony, free WiFi, satellite TV and a private bathroom.

The spa area includes a sauna, tepidarium and massage shower. Guests can play billiards at the bar and enjoy mountain views on the large sun terrace.

An indoor playroom and an outdoor playground are available for children, and there is a horse ranch nearby.

Cyclists can use the bicycle storage room free of charge, as well as washing and repair facilities. Free private parking is available on site. A garage can be used for an additional fee.

Guests also receive the Simmental Card, which includes free use of all bus routes in Lenk (except the Laubbargli route) and discounts on certain summer activities.

In the winter season, all bus routes in Lenk, including the ski bus “Lenk station – Betleberg valley station – Metsch valley station”, can be used free of charge, and guests can benefit from further discounts on certain winter activities.

Hotel Waldrand 3-star hotel

Surrounded by impressive mountain scenery, the Waldrand Hotel is located in Lenk in the Simm Valley. It offers a restaurant serving regional cuisine, a sun terrace, free WiFi, and free parking.

The comfortable and cosy rooms offer breathtaking mountain views. Most rooms have a balcony.

Hiking and cycling are possible in the surrounding area.

During the summer season, the use of the cable cars to the Betelberg and Metschstand underground stations is included in the overnight stay. Guests also receive the SIMMENTAL Card, which entitles them to free travel on all buses in the Lenk region (except the Laubbingli route) and discounts during certain summer months.

During the winter season, the hotel offers free bus routes to Lenk, including the ski bus “Berk” – Bettleberg valley station – Metsch valley. Guests receive discounts on some winter activities.

Hotel Krone Lenk 3-star hotel

Готель Krone розташований в центрі комуни Ленк в долині Зімменталь. До послуг гостей спа-центр з критим басейном і 2 ресторани, в яких подають страви швейцарської, італійської та інтернаціональної кухонь. Безкоштовний Wi-Fi доступний на всій території, включаючи номери. У всіх номерах є критий балкон.

Гостей запрошують відвідати спа-центр готелю Krone Lenk з сауною, гідромасажною ванною, солярієм і фітнес-залом. Для юних гостей працює дитячий клуб і облаштовано дитячий ігровий майданчик. Організовано безкоштовний прокат тандем-велосипедів і тобогганів.

Всі номери оформлені в заміському стилі, і в них є гостинний куточок, міні-бар, ванна кімната і телевізор з плоским екраном і супутниковими каналами.

Взимку гості можуть придбати в готелі скі-паси і скористатися приміщенням для зберігання лиж. Готель знаходиться в 900 метрах від гірськолижного курорту Бетельберг і в 2 км від комуни Адельбоден.

Від автобусної зупинки Gemeindshaus готель відділяють 160 метрів, а від залізничного вокзалу Ленка – 280 метрів.

Влітку у вартість входить проїзд на канатних дорогах до гірських вершин Бетельберг і Метшштанд. Крім того гостям надається карта SIMMENTAL, власники якої отримують право безкоштовного проїзду на всіх автобусних маршрутах Ленка (за винятком маршруту на гору Лауббаргл), а також знижки на деякі види річного активного відпочинку.

Взимку проїзд на всіх автобусах в комуні Ленк – безкоштовний, включаючи лижний автобус за маршрутом «автобусний вокзал Ленка – автобусний вокзал в долині Беллеберг – автобусний вокзал в долині Мец». Крім того, для гостей діють знижки на деякі види зимового активного відпочинку.

Більшість туристів – швейцарці. Особливо багато гостей приймають взимку, в основному, – це туристи вихідного дня. Але приїжджають і туристи здалеку.

Як дістатися

Зімменталь знаходиться в декількох годинах від аеропортів Цюріха, Базеля або Женеви, і є також прямий рейс в Берн-Бельп практично в кантоні Берн. З комуни Бельп до курорту можна дістатися за 1 годину їзди, або ж розслабитися і доїхати на поїзді за 1 годину 45 хвилин.

Подорожуючи по трасі А6 повідомленням Берн-Тун, визжайте на Уімміс / Цвайзіммен через тунель Зімменфлу, на іншій стороні від якої починається ваша подорож до долини річки Зімм. Головна дорога в долині, вулиця Зімменталь, відкрита цілий рік.

Проїжджаючи від Бюля і кантону Фрайберг, можна доїхати до Ленка через термальний курорт Шарм по Яунпасс в Зімменталь (больтіген), або через Шато д’Е-Заан-Цвайзіммен.