Switzerland's First Bear Sanctuary

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

The Bears and the Sanctuary

The Bärenland is currently home to four bears. Sam and Jamila, brown bear siblings born in 2004, spent 18 years living in separate concrete pits at Skopje Zoo before FOUR PAWS brought them to Arosa in May 2022. Amelia and Meimo, both born in 2006, are former restaurant bears rescued from a private mini-zoo in Albania in 2019. Two earlier residents remain part of the sanctuary's story: Napa, a former Serbian circus bear and the sanctuary's first resident from July 2018, passed away in November 2020, and Jambolina, a former circus bear brought from Ukraine in December 2020, died unexpectedly in August 2021. The facility can accommodate up to five bears in total. Visitors observe the bears from a dedicated viewing platform and along a suspended adventure path with eight observation stations, connected by suspension bridges. From these vantage points, you can watch the bears forage, explore their terrain and interact with the natural environment at their own pace. Educational panels along the route explain bear biology, the individual stories of each resident, and the broader context of bear welfare.

Beyond the bear enclosure, the Bärenland offers a 12-hole bear-themed minigolf course that teaches players about bear eating habits, an adventure playground where children can balance on logs, crawl through tunnels and slide, and an adventure trail with activities and a completion prize available from the info desk. The Brüggerstuba restaurant sits right next to the sanctuary and serves food and drinks. Dogs on a leash are welcome throughout the site.

Visiting in Summer and Winter

The Bärenland experience differs by season. In summer, the sanctuary operates daily and is most easily reached via the Arosa-Weisshorn cable car (included with the Arosa Card for overnight guests). The 2026 summer season runs from 13 June to 18 October, with the sanctuary open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. The full range of activities, including the minigolf course, adventure playground and adventure trail, is available. Combined tickets with the cable car allow visitors to extend their trip up to the Weisshorn summit at 2,653 metres for panoramic views, with a photo point featuring the Arosa Weisshorn Bear sculpture. In winter, the sanctuary is open on a reduced schedule, typically Thursday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours over holiday weekends. Bears may be less active during colder months or in hibernation phases, but winter visits offer a quieter, more intimate atmosphere.

Bears and Graubunden

The bear holds a particular significance in Graubunden. The canton's coat of arms features a bear, and historically, wild bears roamed these mountains until they were driven to local extinction. The Bärenland reconnects Arosa with this heritage in a meaningful way, offering rescued bears a species-appropriate home in the landscape their ancestors once inhabited. The project received a resounding 78% approval from the population of Arosa in a 2016 vote, reflecting broad local support. Since opening, the sanctuary has become one of Arosa's most visited attractions year-round, drawing visitors who might not otherwise have considered the destination. The combination of animal welfare, education and mountain landscape creates an experience that stands apart from typical tourist activities.

Practical Information

In summer, day entry to the Bärenland including a return trip to the Weisshorn middle station costs CHF 23 for adults and CHF 12 for children. A ticket including the return trip to the Weisshorn summit costs CHF 33 (adults) and CHF 17 (children). Entry without cable 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 adults and CHF 3 for children (no combination tickets with cable car travel available in winter). Annual sponsor tickets and gift vouchers are also available. The Bärenland is accessible by wheelchair. Guests with a disability who require a companion pay the normal rate, and the companion receives free entry.

Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Group tickets (minimum 10 people) are available at discounted rates in combination with the cable car. Private guided tours can be arranged on request. The sanctuary is reached via the Arosa-Weisshorn cable car from the village. In winter, access to the Bärenland is available on days when the cable car runs for this purpose.

Altein, Arosa: Official Bärenland Partner Hotel

Altein, Arosa, a Faern collection resort, is an official partner hotel of the Arosa Bärenland, making it the natural choice for guests who want to make the bear sanctuary a centrepiece of their stay. The hotel offers spacious family rooms, a large playroom for younger children, entertainment options for teenagers, and a 950 m² wellness area for adults. Its central location in Arosa provides easy access to the Arosa-Weisshorn cable car, and in summer, the Ricola Experience Trail from the hotel area leads directly toward the 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 facilities offer an easy transition from mountain adventure to afternoon relaxation.