The President's Hikes
“President’s Hikes” bring together music, nature and personal encounters. The walks are led by Festival President Richard Müller, a certified hiking guide and a local deeply rooted in the Saanenland. With his in-depth local knowledge, experience and passion for the alpine landscape, he leads participants along special routes, to hidden viewpoints and through stories beyond the well-trodden paths.
Along the way, space opens up for exchange, shared experiences and new perspectives on music and nature. Small musical impulses along the route transform the mountain landscape itself into a concert hall, carrying forward Yehudi Menuhin’s idea of music as a unifying force. The “President’s Hikes” invite participants to discover the Menuhin Festival Gstaad from a new, unhurried perspective.
Come up, hear the music, slow down.
President's Hike I
Sunday, 9 August 2026, 12:00 pm
Scheduled to allow hikers to arrive in time for the cello-piano concert by the Duo Runge & Ammon at the Church of Zweisimmen, this hike can only be booked in combination with the concert.
Tickets: CHF 55 | Registration deadline: 3 August 2026
President's Hike II
Sunday, 16 August 2026, 10:30 am – approx. 3:00 pm
A live musical moment awaits hikers along the way – when nature itself becomes the stage.
Tickets: CHF 55 | Registration deadline: 10 August 2026
President's Hike III
Thursday, 27 August 2026, 10:30 am – approx. 3:00 pm
A live musical moment awaits hikers along the way – when nature itself becomes the stage.
Tickets: CHF 55 | Registration deadline: 21 August 2026
Your Guide
Richard Müller was born in Gstaad and grew up in the Saanenland. Through his father, a passionate amateur musician, he was introduced to classical music at an early age, while his parents fostered his deep connection to nature and the region—one he explored along countless trails from a young age. After completing secondary school in Bern, he trained at the University of Applied Sciences for the graphic industry in Lausanne and subsequently joined the family business, which later developed into today’s Müller Marketing & Druck AG and Müller Medien AG.For nearly 25 years, he has been involved with the Menuhin Festival in various roles and currently serves as its President of the Board, publisher of Der Frutigländer, owner of Frutigländer Medien AG, and a certified hiking guide.
General Information
Detailed information on the hiking routes will be announced at a later date.
Participation is limited to 40 people.
The hike will take place regardless of weather conditions. Proper footwear and a level of fitness suitable for a three-hour hike are required.
Further details will be sent by email after registration.
Participants are responsible for their own insurance. Refreshments along the way must be provided by participants themselves. Prices do not include any tickets for public transport or mountain railways.
The President’s Hikes are supported by donations from the commemorative concert held in honour of long-standing President of the Board Leonz Blunschi (1942–2021). Alongside the hikes in the Saanenland with its hotel guests, supporting young artists was always particularly close to his heart.