The Trauffer World of Experiences, also known as KUHniversum, is a fun and interactive museum dedicated to Switzerland’s famous wooden cows. Located in Hofstetten near Brienz, it combines traditional woodcarving, family activities, local history and hands-on experiences.
Summary visit details
Location: Holzkuhplatz 1, 3858 Hofstetten bei Brienz
Recommended duration: 1–2 hours
Opening hours: Daily from 10:00 to 18:00
Tickets: adults: CHF 15, children aged 6–16: CHF 9
Best for: families, rainy-day activities, Swiss traditions and craft lovers
Accessibility: the experience tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Introduction
We visited the Trauffer World of Experiences during our stay near Brienz. The museum is centred around the traditional Swiss wooden cow, one of the most recognisable products made by Trauffer.
The visit is more than a traditional museum tour. It explains how the wooden cows became part of Swiss culture and shows the craftsmanship, history and people behind the famous red-and-white figures.
The KUHniversum experience
The self-guided KUHniversum tour takes visitors through the history of Trauffer and its wooden animals. Along the way, you can learn how the cows are carved, painted and turned into finished products.
The experience is designed for both adults and children. Interactive elements, playful displays and colourful exhibits make it easy to follow, even for visitors who are not familiar with Swiss woodcarving traditions.
There are also additional family attractions, including a wooden animal petting zoo, a wooden bowling alley and the KUH marble run.
Make your own wooden cow
One of the highlights is the opportunity to create your own wooden animal.
Children and adults can paint a wooden animal for CHF 15. Visitors aged 12 and above can also carve and paint their own wooden cow for CHF 35. These activities take approximately one hour and can be booked directly during the visit, subject to availability.
This is a particularly enjoyable option for families because everyone leaves with a personal souvenir rather than just photographs.
Restaurant and shop
After the tour, you can visit the Trauffer flagship shop, where many wooden animals and traditional Swiss souvenirs are available.
There are also food options on site, including Rosa’s Bistro and Alfred’s Restaurant. The restaurant serves Swiss specialities and provides a convenient place to relax after the museum visit.
Practical tips
- Allow at least 1–2 hours for the museum experience.
- Reserve extra time if you want to carve or paint a wooden animal.
- Check availability for workshops when you arrive.
- The experience is suitable for rainy days because most activities are indoors.
- Dogs are not permitted on the KUHniversum tour, although they are welcome in other areas around the site.
- Parking is available at the Ballenberg West entrance, a short walk from Trauffer.
- Combine the visit with Ballenberg Open-Air Museum, which is located nearby.
- Buy tickets online or directly at the museum.
Conclusion
The Trauffer Cow Museum is a charming and entertaining place to visit near Brienz. It offers a simple introduction to Swiss woodcarving while giving visitors the chance to see, paint or even carve the famous wooden cow.
The visit is short enough to fit easily into a day trip and works particularly well as a family activity or rainy-day excursion. Combined with Ballenberg or a visit to Lake Brienz, it makes a worthwhile stop in the Bernese Oberland.
