Erlach, or Cerlier in French, sits on Lake Biel where the vineyard-covered slope of Jolimont descends toward a compact old town and harbour. Its appeal comes from this close meeting of settlement, water and protected landscape: the castle stands above the lanes, boats occupy the shoreline and the long Heidenweg leads toward St Peter’s Island, which is now connected to land as a peninsula. Erlach is small enough for a slow visit, but it also offers a useful base for exploring the western end of Lake Biel and the wider Three Lakes region.
A castle, a church and a documented town
The municipality traces Erlach’s beginnings to the late eleventh century. It attributes the castle to Burkhard of Fenis, who built it to protect a road along the upper end of the lake. The town’s first written evidence as a community with civic rights comes around 1266, when Rudolf II of Neuchâtel-Nidau granted a charter. The parish church is older than the castle and old town in origin; a papal confirmation of 1185 is its first recorded mention. Today the castle is an active school home, not a freely accessible visitor monument. Its historical museum is open to the public only on selected dates and by guided visit, so check in advance rather than arriving expecting unrestricted entry.
Walk the Heidenweg to the peninsula
The route from Erlach to St Peter’s Island takes about an hour on foot, according to the municipality. The Heidenweg crosses a natural land connection formed after lake and river corrections; the path runs through protected reeds and scrub that provide habitat for birds. Further along, visitors find wooded sections, vineyards on the sunnier slopes, old oaks and small sandy bathing places. A boat is another way to reach the peninsula when services operate. The lake also supports everyday local activity: the municipal harbour has about 450 permanent berths, and the commune lists four campsites, alongside accommodation and restaurants. Its official statistics record 11.34 hectares of vines.
Getting there and staying longer
Erlach had 1,406 residents on 31 December 2025. From Biel/Bienne, take a train to Ins and continue by PostBus to Erlach Stedtli; the operator’s current network map shows routes 521 and 522 linking Ins with Erlach. This makes a car-free visit possible, though the last departures and seasonal connections should be checked. A rewarding day combines the lanes and castle viewpoint with the Heidenweg, while a longer stay can include a boat trip, a local vineyard landscape and nearby lakeside villages. Check bus and boat timetables, museum access and campsite availability before travelling.
Erlach and St Peter’s Island: town walk, lakeside views and peninsula
Finn Bop’s film is titled “Erlach am Bielersee Switzerland” and gives a concise visual introduction to the town’s position on Lake Biel. Its broad framing complements a more detailed street walk and helps viewers place the harbour and settlement within the lake landscape. The video does not supply dependable transport or opening information; check the local municipality and PostBus network before making plans.
Cleopia100’s video focuses on St Peter’s Island, the peninsula reached from Erlach along the Heidenweg or, when operating, by boat. This makes it a useful companion to town-centred footage because the peninsula’s reeds, woodland and shore form a major part of a visit here. Treat the film as a visual preview only and verify walking conditions, boat services and protected-area guidance locally.