At the Grandhotel Giessbach, a quiet yet powerful statement has been made. Approximately 50 hectares of woodland now bear the official label "Nature Forest Reserve".
This was made possible through the collaboration of the Giessbach Foundation, the municipalities of Brienz and Iseltwald, and the cantonal specialist agencies. Together, they have written a piece of Swiss nature conservation history and secured an area where nature will largely be left to its own devices in the future.
The decision by the Canton of Bern's Office for Forests and Natural Hazards not only recognizes the exceptional ecological diversity of the Giessbach Forest but also acknowledges an approach that has been consistently pursued here for decades. Beneath ancient giant trees, amidst ferns, mosses, and rocks, the forest has long been allowed to grow, age, and decay. The new label now provides an official framework for this approach and extends it to a contiguous area.
A simple principle applies in the Nature Forest Reserve. Interventions only occur where they are unavoidable for safety reasons. Fallen trees remain, deadwood is not removed. It provides habitat for rare fungi, lichens, insects, and birds. Natural connectivity corridors emerge, soils can store water and carbon, and cycles close naturally. The forest becomes a teacher of patience and balance. The fact that this protected area is a reality today is also thanks to the willingness of the surrounding municipalities to contribute their land. Thus, a sanctuary was created that has an impact far beyond its borders. In a time when forests worldwide are under pressure, the Giessbach Forest becomes a symbol of what is possible when responsibility is shared.
Those who wish to experience this place mindfully will find offerings such as forest or yoga retreats in the Giessbach Nature Park. They invite visitors to slow down, look more closely, and understand the interconnectedness of an intact ecosystem. Information boards from the Canton of Bern deepen this knowledge and also make the forest a place of learning.
The Giessbach Forest frames the historic buildings and waterfalls like a silent guardian. It speaks of cooperation, foresight, and the realization that the greatest wealth often lies where we need to do nothing but protect it.