Without his work, we would sooner or later lose our way. Literally. Fritz Bühlmann makes sure that the signposts and markings in the Lauterbrunnen Valley are clearly visible to everyone.

He cleans the yellow signpost with a sponge. He tightens a loose screw with a screwdriver. A few metres further on, he reaches for a brush and paint. The white-red-white markings are barely visible and need to be repainted. Fritz Bühlmann has been maintaining the hiking trails in the Lauterbrunnen Valley for six years. We accompanied the 71-year-old as he went about his work.

"Hotel Stechelberg" is the last stop on line 141 in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. The Postbus does not go any further. And this is also the end of the line for car drivers. Not so for us. Fritz Bühlmann has a special licence. We continue with him for another kilometre or two. Steadily uphill. As far as Sichellauenen. As far as the "Pfäffer" turn-off. From here, we continue on foot. And there is already a first signpost here. Fritz Bühlmann pulls out a sponge and spruces up the dirty signpost.

After the work is done, we set off on our hike. In the direction of Trachsellauenen. It's a steep climb at the start. "Exercise is important, especially in old age," says the sprightly pensioner. I'm glad to see the first markings that need to be repaired. In other words: I can take a quick breather while Fritz Bühlmann reaches for his brush and paint. Together with the sponge, he carries them around in a plastic pot. He carefully traces first the red and then the two white lines on the stone. "When I'm tired after a long day of hiking, I sometimes put the red brush into the white paint or vice versa," says Fritz Bühlmann - and laughs. Today we are on a mountain hiking trail (see link "The different levels of difficulty" at the end of the article). He was able to leave the yellow paint - for marking easy hiking trails - at home today. He never needs blue paint for the alpine hiking trails as he doesn't have to look after them.

While cleaning the next signpost, Fritz Bühlmann realises that it is missing a few cable clamps. "That only ever happens in this area. A farmer in the neighbourhood could probably make good use of these 'clamps'." Bühlmann takes a replacement out of his rucksack - and repairs the signpost. The 71-year-old from Ringgenberg is equipped for many eventualities. His rucksack also contains a spanner for the pipe screws, a saw, a pair of pliers and a small stepladder.

Fritz Bühlmann walks almost exactly 160 kilometres of hiking trails every year. Spread over 10 to 15 days. He is paid 60 francs per day, plus expenses. A small supplement for his pension, but much more a healthy occupation. And last but not least, he can combine his hobby with his work. Cycling and hiking are his favourite pastimes - and flowers. Along the way, he draws our attention to orchids in bloom and gives us tips on where to find particularly beautiful flower meadows in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Fritz Bühlmann usually walks the hiking trails alone. "I can really switch off. I enjoy that." Sometimes the father and grandfather is accompanied by his wife. "But the pace is too slow for her with all the stops we have to make along the way. She's happy to leave the job to me."

We leave the forest and come to a meadow with cows on the right and goats on the left - and a great view. But the path is confusing. Bühlmann decides to put up two new markings. "At the moment, there are a lot of new, inexperienced hikers on the trail who can easily get lost."

Most of Fritz Bühlmann's work is done in spring, before the hiking season. When exactly he is out and about, however, is decided by the weather. "The paint has to be able to dry. If it's wet or there's a threat of thunderstorms, I can't go." This year, for example, May literally fell through. But Bühlmann is also challenged in winter. For example, when setting up and dismantling snowshoe trails. Some signposts also have to be dismantled in winter for safety reasons - for example, if they are on a ski slope.

Bühlmann was still working as a physiotherapist in his own practice when he contacted the Bernese hiking trails a little over six years ago and enquired about an open area near him. "I wanted to make provisions for my retirement and find a small occupation." An area became available sooner than he expected. The Lauterbrunnen Valley. "For the first two years, I looked after the hiking trails alongside my work as a physiotherapist." He describes his area of work as a stroke of luck. "I didn't know the Lauterbrunnen Valley that well before," says the native of Erlenbach and Uetendorf. But now Fritz Bühlmann is in love with the region. "I can't even say where it's most beautiful in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. There are simply so many incredibly beautiful places here."

After around two hours, we reach the Trachsellauenen mountain inn. Here we treat ourselves to a short break. I want to know from Fritz Bühlmann whether he will be doing this job for another six years. "That depends entirely on my health. If I'm physically able to do it, why not?" He shows us his area of operation on a map. It is... big. It stretches from Sandweidli via Oberhornsee to the Schmadrihütte and via Isenfluh, Sous and Schwalmere to the Lobhornhütte. Then we go our separate ways. The photographer and I head back to the office, while Fritz Bühlmann has a few more metres of altitude to cover. With the odd break. Because up to the Tschingelhorn mountain inn at just under 1700 metres above sea level, there are still some markings waiting to be repainted today.