Hikes in the Emmental

Emmental belongs to the canton of Bern, located in the west of Switzerland and part of the Bernese Mittelland. The region and administrative district of Emmental are largely identical; the largest towns are Burgdorf, Langnau, and Sumiswald. However, the landscape is much more interesting for hiking tours: meadows, pastures, and coniferous forests stretch over gentle hills inviting extensive hikes. Connoisseurs will have already guessed that Emmental is also the namesake of the very popular cheese variety. Not only the name but also the numerous village dairies show that the famous Swiss cheese comes from here, which people are only too happy to include in their snack after long hikes.

Emmental gets its name from the Emme River, which springs between the Hohgant and Augstmatthorn, flows through the valley, and then empties into the Aare at Luterbach. One of the most interesting architectural attractions is Burgdorf Castle, which towers over the town of the same name. It is one of the largest high noble castles from the Hohenstaufen period and is now considered a monument of national significance. Visitors will find a museum, a restaurant, and a youth hostel inside. Typical for the region are also the stately Emmental farmhouses with their distinctive hipped roofs that almost reach the ground on the sides.

The Emmental offers a wide range of hiking tours of various lengths and difficulty levels. At the beginning, the path to one of the most beautiful viewpoints, the Moosegg, is recommended. The route covers a distance of just over 10 kilometers from the Arnisäge Post bus stop to the Emmenmatt station near Blasen and ascends 330 meters in elevation. From the highest point at 1030 meters, the climb is rewarded with a magnificent view over the Upper Emmental with its green meadows and dark forests.

Family-friendly is the hike through the Mützbachtäli to the Mutzbachfall. The approximately 7.1 km long circular hiking trail starts and ends in Riedtwill and can already get the calves burning with its 167 meters of elevation. But the tour is worth it, as after the mystically appearing section along the Mutzbach there are still enchantingly attractive forests and meadows, before enjoying a beautiful panoramic view from the Oberbühlchnubel. During the roughly two hours estimated for this route, of course, a place to stop for refreshments should not be missing. This can be found in the so-called Luftröhre, from where it then goes back to the starting point.

For experienced hikers with appropriate fitness, the hike to the Napf is recommended. The former is a rock outcrop at 1371 m, the latter the highest point of the hike at 1406 m. A total of 364 meters of elevation are overcome on this hike, spread over more than 5.1 km. From the Napf, hikers can enjoy a panoramic view that extends to the Vosges and the Black Forest.