On Sunday, 6 September, 25 Cornell alumni, friends, and family members accompanied by three enthusiastic dogs gathered for the Cornell Club of Switzerland’s Annual Hike through the beautiful Seeland region.
We could not have asked for a better day! Under gorgeous sunshine, our group set out from Lyss for a leisurely 16.6-kilometer walk combining picturesque scenery, fascinating history, and plenty of time to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
Our route first took us to Aarberg, with its charming medieval center situated beside the peaceful Alte Aare. From there, we continued along the Hagneck Canal toward Lake Biel, enjoying the flat riverside paths, open countryside, and views across one of Switzerland’s most important agricultural regions.
A Landscape Transformed by Water
The scenery we enjoyed is also the result of one of Switzerland’s most ambitious engineering projects.
Before the Jura water correction, much of the Seeland was marshy and frequently affected by severe flooding. During the first phase of the project, undertaken between 1868 and 1891, the River Aare was redirected from Aarberg into Lake Biel through the newly constructed Hagneck Canal. The project also connected and regulated Lakes Biel, Neuchâtel, and Murten, lowering their water levels by approximately 2.5 meters. These remarkable works helped protect communities from flooding and made it possible to cultivate large areas of previously waterlogged land. Today, the Seeland is known as one of Switzerland’s most productive vegetable-growing regions. You can read more about this extraordinary undertaking from the Canton of Bern.
The waterways now form a fascinating mixture of working landscape and natural habitat. The Alte Aare, the river’s former course, has become a tranquil environment rich in biodiversity, while the Hagneck Canal continues to carry the Aare into Lake Biel. Along the route, the fish passage near Hagneck offered another interesting example of how modern infrastructure can help aquatic life move through a human-altered waterway.
More than a century after the canal transformed the region, it provided a spectacular setting for our own day of exploration.
A Wonderful Cornell Day Outdoors
Most importantly, the hike gave Cornellians of different generations, together with their families and friends, the chance to enjoy one another’s company in a relaxed and beautiful setting. The sunny weather added to the cheerful atmosphere throughout the day.
A very special thank-you goes to Jürg, who once again planned and organized this wonderful hike. Through his dedication year after year, the Cornell Annual Hike each September has become one of our club’s most beloved traditions.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this year’s hike such a memorable Cornell gathering. We hope to see you (and perhaps a few more four-legged companion!) on the trail again next year!
Post hike update:
After 16 kilometers in the sunshine, our youngest four-legged hiker had certainly earned a good night’s sleep!
