A Taste of the Emmental on the St.James Trail between Huttwil and Hüswil

(This post published on December 8, 2023)

Sunday October 4, 2015 -- After Saturday's big hike, Sunday called for a more leisurely stroll through the Swiss pastoral "Central Plateau", in this case in the Emmental, between the Cantons of Bern and Luzern (we crossed a canton border again! Happens a lot). Urs had to pick up something in a little town called Huttwil, which just happened to be hosting a cheese market and an exhibition of steam engines, so after admiring the beautiful locomotives for a while, we walked to the neighbouring town of Hüswil (8.5 km in 2 hours) through rolling hills and forests. A highlight were some very new-born goats, really newborn! They must have come just an hour or so before we passed by their enclosure. 

It was a really nice and easy walk on this lovely fall day. 

This trail is part of National Trail no.4: "St. James Trail" (part of the Camino di Santiago in Switzerland). 

This is an old-timer Postauto! We were here at about 2 p.m. to pick up something Urs had ordered. 

A lot of train fans here to look at the old steam engine! These trains do special runs which you can purchase tickets on. 

VIDEO:

Steam Engine running back and forth on the track

Hotel Krone in Huttwil. This is an Emmental-style house

It looks so cute the way this lady is leaning out of the old hotel window

We started walking from Huttwil somewhat before 3 p.m. after spending some time in Huttwil, and walked for about two hours to Hüswil. 

This trail is part of National Trail no.4: "St. James Trail"

On clear days you can get some nice views of the Alps from further North.

A good place for a break and a self-timed photo!

I love all kinds of bridges!

It is such a lovely countryside for a nice fall afternoon walk

Cool old Emmental house in Ufhausen near Hüswil.

Walking through a small village called Ufhusen

There is a Swiss tradition that when a baby is born, your friends "plant" these trees in your yard, and when you take them down, you have to invite your friends to dinner!

Newly-born baby goat. The umbilical cord is still visible. 

There were actually two newly-born goats. Perhaps twins?

VIDEO:

Two brand new baby goats!

It is always a treat to see the cows, especially when they are so interested in us! They actually came running across the pasture to see us!

VIDEO:

The cows are watching us go by!

This region is full of lovely rolling hills

Catching the train home in Hüswil at 4:45 p.m. In some of the very small train stations you can still walk across the tracks!

What our hike looks like on Google satellite maps

Werthenstein Monastery on the stretch between Wolhusen and Lucerne.