Walking in the Entlebuch UNESCO Biosphere

November 30, 2016 -- Still time for some late fall / early winter hikes, we just have to find the low places that are not sitting in the fog.

The Entlebuch UNESCO Biosphere is a 400 sq.km area of "unspoilt moorlands and idyllic Alpine pastures" West of Lucerne. It is Switzerland's only biosphere reserve and there are strict regulations as to what changes (construction, population, etc.) are allowed to be made to this area to conserve the landscape and environment.

We lucked out with lovely warm sunshine especially after climbing up the hill and walking across the ridge. Even in some of the shady areas where the morning frost no longer thaws, it wasn't too cold. 

And since this is close to the Kambly cookie factory, we celebrated another 12-km hike by visiting the cookie store to sample their Christmas offerings, and purchase some too, of course!

We started our hike in the valley at Schüpfheim and walked up to the low ridge, only 300 altitude meters, which I can do fairly easily now.

This is a typical house of the Entlebuch region.

And this is the best kind of Swiss dog, although a bit big for my taste.

The cows are off the pastures now and in the barns, but they have access to the outside and also enjoy a bit of sunshine.

Early winter sun still warms the pastures a bit.

The entire area consists of low hills dotted here and there with farmsteads and chapels. Very few villages and no real cities.

The low rolling hills and pastures are dotted with farmsteads and pastures.

After reaching the ridge, we decided this was a perfect place for our picnic lunch.

After reaching the ridge, we decided this was a perfect place for our picnic lunch.

As long as we were on the South side of the ridge, we had sun. But we still walked quite a bit through forested areas.

Enjoying some early winter sunshine in the Entlebuch.

Lovely views into the Entlebuch Valley.

This is the view North from the ridge (Fontannen Valley).

This is the view Northward from our ridge. Some of the pastures get no sun anymore at this time of year.

We passed a farmstead where all the cows were indoors, but when they heard us talking, all these cute babies poured out to greet us.

Heading down to our goal, the town of Entlebuch where we will catch the train to the Kambly cookie factory.

In Trubschachen is the Kambly Cookie Factory. They have a store at the far end, where you can sample as many cookies as you like. The first time I did this, I got sick. Now I know to limit the intake!

Our 12-km, 3 1/4-hour hike from Schüpfheim to Entlebuch across the ridge.