March 15, 2017 -- We haven't covered much ground in the Emmental yet, but there are still so many beautiful areas to discover here!
Following an online suggestion, we hiked our 10 kilometers in the rolling pastoral landscape just North of the Bernese Alps, and were immensely pleased with the wonderful panorama views along the entire length of the trail.
Our hike started with a visit to the local cheese shop in Röthenbach, the starting point of our hike. As often as we can, we try to buy locally-made cheese, in this case not Emmentaler, but Röthenbacher! The gradual hike up the mountain (total 500m) was not difficult, and the landscape so beautiful with all the farms and the typical Emmental houses, and the oh so familiar aroma of spring fertilizing!
Along the way we visited the Würzbrunnen Church, a historical structure whose origins date back almost 1000 years, first having been mentioned in a Papal document dated 1148. A time span exceedingly difficult to imagine! Inside is resplendent with wood carvings and clever furnishings, and a very relevant warning that no candles are to be lit! The location and charm of the church have made it a favourite wedding venue.
At about
the halfway point of the tour is a fabulous 40-m high tower (195 steps!) built in 1998 for the 850th anniversary of the town
of Röthenbach. This beautiful white fir tower burned down in 2001
due to irresponsible use of campfires nearby, and was rebuilt in
2002. The 360-deg. views from the platform are magnificent, especially the recognizable peaks of the famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau trio. The air was a bit hazy, but it was a great day for an early Spring hike just the same....
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| Signau in the Emmental. From here we took a bus further into the valley to Röthenbach |
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| Farmers are busy with spring fertilizing! |
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| Buying local cheese for our picnic. That scale is one of only two such antiques in Switzerland. |
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| Village of Röthenbach. Our hike starts here and heads uphill. Where we hiked there was no more snow. |
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| First coffee break! We had views like this the whole day. |
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| The very old church in Würzbrunnen, first mentioned in Papal documents dated 1148 |
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| The very old church in Würzbrunnen, first mentioned in Papal documents dated 1148 |
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| Inside the Würzbrunnen church, wonderful carved wood furnishings and ceilings. |
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| Neat design for pullout and fold-down benches |
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| The sign says that lighting candles is NOT allowed, for safety reasons.... |
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| On the outside front wall, very old frescoes |
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| At the Würzbrunnen church |
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| Emmental barn structure |
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| This is where we had our lunch |
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| There are often art displays in the woods ("The Meaning of Life" etc...). Or maybe a Stargate. |
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| Ascending the 195 steps of the 40m Chuderhüsi Tower |
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| Ascending the 195 steps of the 40m Chuderhüsi Tower |
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| View of the Bernese Alps from the look-out platform |
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| The recognizable profiles of Mount Eiger (North Face), Mönch and Jungfrau (all ca.4000+m) |
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| Emmental farms and pastures |
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| Eiger North Face |
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| Charming Emmental homes |
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| Emmental architecture |
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| Zoomed view of the Würzbrunnen Chapel from our hike along the ridge. |
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| Wonderful spring weather in Switzerland's Emmental Region |
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| The trail goes right past and through several typical farmsteads in this region |
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| Last views on our last stretch before our descent. |
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| Last views on our last stretch before our descent. |
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| Last views on our last stretch before our descent. (This is Mount Schreckhorn 4,078 m) |
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| So many farms are converting their roofs to solar panels! Such a good use of the roof areas |
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| 11-km, 3-hour hike in the Emmental region of Switzerland |
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