Chästeilet 2026 - the Justistal cheese sharing
On Friday 18 September 2026, the Justistal above Lake Thun holds its Chästeilet, the roughly 300-year-old ceremony that shares out a whole summer of alpine cheese among the farmers who grazed their cows on the alp. It makes a memorable autumn day trip from Wengen, about an hour away by road.
The event
From around 10:00, the wheels of cheese made on the Justistal alp through the summer are carried down and divided among the owners in proportion to the milk their cows produced. The cattle come down from the high pastures in a decorated Alpabzug, and the valley fills with market stalls, alphorn music and regional food. It is one of the most authentic living traditions in the Bernese Oberland, listed in the canton's register of local customs, and it draws visitors from across the region for a single day each September.
A day trip from Wengen
The Justistal sits above Sigriswil and Habkern on the north side of Lake Thun, so this is a drive rather than a train ride from car-free Wengen: down to Lauterbrunnen, then around the lake, roughly an hour in all. Come early, as parking and the access road are managed for the day and the crowds build through the morning.
Practical information
Date: Friday 18 September 2026, from 10:00.
Where: Justistal, above Sigriswil and Habkern on Lake Thun.
Getting there: about one hour by road from Wengen via Lauterbrunnen; not reachable by train.
Good to know: the exact date is set each year and changes, so check interlaken.swiss before travelling. Dress for alpine autumn weather.
Plan your stay
An autumn stay pairs the Chästeilet with the quieter, golden side of the Jungfrau region. Victoria Lauberhorn, a Faern Collection Hotel, gives you a calm base in the mountains and easy days out to traditions like this one. Book your September stay and let us point you to the best of the alpine autumn.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chästeilet in the Justistal?
The Chästeilet is a roughly 300-year-old ceremony that shares out a whole summer of alpine cheese among the farmers who grazed their cows on the alp. The wheels made on the Justistal alp through the summer are carried down and divided among the owners in proportion to the milk their cows produced. It is listed in the canton's register of local customs and is one of the most authentic living traditions in the Bernese Oberland.
When is the Chästeilet in 2026?
The 2026 Chästeilet takes place on Friday 18 September, with the cheese sharing from around 10:00. It is a single day each September and draws visitors from across the region. The exact date is set each year and changes, so check interlaken.swiss before travelling.
What can I see and eat at the Chästeilet besides the cheese sharing?
The cattle come down from the high pastures in a decorated Alpabzug on the same day. The valley fills with market stalls, alphorn music and regional food. The dividing of the cheese wheels starts from around 10:00, so a morning arrival catches the heart of the day.
How do I get to the Justistal from Wengen?
The Justistal sits above Sigriswil and Habkern on the north side of Lake Thun and is not reachable by train, so this is a drive of about one hour. From car-free Wengen you first go down to Lauterbrunnen, where guests leave their cars in the valley parking, then drive around the lake. Come early, as parking and the access road are managed for the day, and dress for alpine autumn weather.
Why stay at Hotel Victoria Lauberhorn for a Chästeilet trip?
An autumn stay pairs the Chästeilet with the quieter, golden side of the Jungfrau region. Victoria Lauberhorn, Wengen gives you a calm base in the car-free village, with 500 plus km of regional hiking trails for the rest of the week. Back at the hotel there is dinner in the restaurants and Wengen's largest wellness area to end the day.