Rüwlispass – green connection to the Saanenland

There is no consolidated village of St. Stephan. The municipality is divided into several villages and hamlets. The architectural highlight is the church in Ried. It goes back to the chapel St. Stephan, named after a survivor of the Theban Legion who preached and performed miracles here. The site became a much-visited pilgrimage destination, which called for the construction of a larger church (built around 1308).
From the St. Stephan station head to the Simme riverbank and follow it downstream. Below Grodey cross the stream and immediately ascend quite steeply uphill on the old cattle driving path. At Chälmad you reach the Rüwlis alpine road but leave it again after the large loop and climb in the fall line on a narrow, pleasantly shaded path to the pasture ridge Bire. Nice view to the rocky massif of Spillgerte, to Rauflihorn and Albristhorn, which flank the Färmel valley. Up to the huts of Rüwlise initially follow the alpine road. On an alpine track continue uphill into the wide, swampy hollow of the Rüwlis pass. In the small pond near the pass summit reflects the beautiful pyramid of the Giferspitz. In summer, mallard females with their young can sometimes be observed here; since 1995, a grebe has even bred here. Besides the prevailing peace, the splendid panoramic view is also beautiful. Especially impressive is the view over the valley floor of the Turbach valley with the Giferspitz and the mighty rock spires Gummfluh and Le Rubli. Now the pasture path gradually descends towards the hut on the Undere Zwitzeregg, before a good alpine road goes down a steep step to Statt in the Turbach valley, where magnificent groups of mountain maples please the eye. The next section, on the other hand, is an auditory delight, as the path immediately descends to the rushing Turbach stream.
The hiking downstream along the bubbling and gurgling water to Turbach/Scheidbach bridge is entertaining. Instead of following the valley road, briefly ascend again at Büdemlivorschess to Oberbort, from where various shortcuts pass by million-dollar chalets and the Palace Hotel down to the upscale holiday resort of Gstaad.