Switzerland's First Bear Sanctuary

The Arosa Bärenland is a bearsanctuary and education centre located at 2,000 metres above sea level, next tothe middle station of the Arosa-Weisshorn cable car. Opened in August 2018 as ajoint project between the animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS, Arosa Tourismand the Arosa Bears Foundation, it is the first bear conservation centre inSwitzerland. The sanctuary spans approximately 30,000 square metres of naturalmountain landscape, including pastures, shrubs, rocks, streams and forest,where rescued bears can recover from years of poor captivity and graduallyreturn to natural behaviour. The Bärenland is open to visitors year-round invarying capacities and is a destination for families, animal lovers and anyoneinterested in wildlife conservation combined with a mountain excursion.

The Bears and the Sanctuary

The Bärenland is currently hometo three bears: Meimo and Amelia, both former restaurant bears rescued from aprivate mini-zoo in Albania in 2019, and Jambolina, a former circus bearbrought to Arosa from Ukraine in 2020. The sanctuary's first resident, Napa, aformer Serbian circus bear who arrived in July 2018, passed away in November2020. The facility can accommodate up to five bears in total. Visitors observethe bears from a dedicated viewing platform and along a suspended adventurepath with eight observation stations, connected by suspension bridges. Fromthese vantage points, you can watch the bears forage, explore their terrain andinteract with the natural environment at their own pace. Educational panelsalong the route explain bear biology, the individual stories of each resident,and the broader context of bear welfare.

Beyond the bear enclosure, theBärenland offers a 12-hole bear-themed minigolf course that teaches playersabout bear eating habits, an adventure playground where children can balance onlogs, crawl through tunnels and slide, and an adventure trail with activitiesand a completion prize available from the info desk. The Brüggerstubarestaurant sits right next to the sanctuary and serves food and drinks. Dogs ona leash are welcome throughout the site.

Visiting in Summer and Winter

The Bärenland experiencediffers by season. In summer, the sanctuary operates daily and is most easilyreached via the Arosa-Weisshorn cable car (included with the Arosa Card forovernight guests). The full range of activities, including the minigolf course,adventure playground and adventure trail, is available. Combined tickets withthe cable car allow visitors to extend their trip up to the Weisshorn summit at2,653 metres for panoramic views, with a photo point featuring the ArosaWeisshorn Bear sculpture. In winter, the sanctuary is open on a more limitedschedule: currently Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursdayafternoons from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Bears may be less active during colder monthsor in hibernation phases, but winter visits offer a quieter, more intimateatmosphere.

Bears and Graubunden

The bear holds a particularsignificance in Graubunden. The canton's coat of arms features a bear, andhistorically, wild bears roamed these mountains until they were driven to localextinction. The Bärenland reconnects Arosa with this heritage in a meaningfulway, offering rescued bears a species-appropriate home in the landscape theirancestors once inhabited. The project received a resounding 78% approval fromthe population of Arosa in a 2016 vote, reflecting broad local support. Sinceopening, the sanctuary has become one of Arosa's most visited attractionsyear-round, drawing visitors who might not otherwise have considered thedestination. The combination of animal welfare, education and mountainlandscape creates an experience that stands apart from typical touristactivities.

Practical Information

In summer, day entry to theBärenland including a return trip to the Weisshorn middle station costs CHF 23for adults and CHF 12 for children. A ticket including the return trip to theWeisshorn summit costs CHF 33 (adults) and CHF 17 (children). Entry withoutcable car travel is CHF 12 for adults and CHF 6 for children, or CHF 5 (adults)and CHF 3 (children) with the Arosa Card. In winter, entry is CHF 5 for adultsand CHF 3 for children (no combination tickets with cable car travel availablein winter). Annual sponsor tickets and gift vouchers are also available. TheBärenland is accessible by wheelchair. Guests with a disability who require acompanion pay the normal rate, and the companion receives free entry.

Children under 12 must beaccompanied by an adult. Group tickets (minimum 10 people) are available atdiscounted rates in combination with the cable car. Private guided tours can bearranged on request. The sanctuary is reached via the Arosa-Weisshorn cable carfrom the village. In winter, the cable car operates on weekends, and Thursdayafternoon access to the Bärenland is available when the cable car runs for thispurpose.

Hotel Altein: Official Barenland Partner Hotel

Hotel Altein is an officialpartner hotel of the Arosa Bärenland, making it the natural choice for guestswho want to make the bear sanctuary a centrepiece of their stay. The hoteloffers spacious family rooms, a large playroom for younger children, entertainmentoptions for teenagers, and a 950 m² wellness area for adults. Its centrallocation in Arosa provides easy access to the Arosa-Weisshorn cable car, and insummer, the Ricola Experience Trail from the hotel area leads directly towardthe Bärenland. Reception can provide current opening times, help plan a visit,and ensure guests have their Arosa Card ready for discounted summer entry.After a morning with the bears, the hotel's restaurant and wellness facilitiesoffer an easy transition from mountain adventure to afternoon relaxation.

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