Walk along the Waldemme River from Sörenberg to Flühli (Entlebuch)

Thursday March 19th -- This final nice day in a long stretch of nice weather might also be the last day for a while that we can go anywhere, as the public transit is, in some places, now only for people with essential needs (work, food purchases, doctor...) not hiking!

But I took a vacation day and headed one more time into the mountains, to the Mariental Valley in the area of Luzern called the Entlebuch, where is the recreation town of Sörenberg. I was going to start my walk along the Waldemme River at the foot of Mount Brienzer Rothorn, but the further up the valley that the Post Bus travelled (in which I was the only passenger), the more snow we encountered, so I got out earlier, exactly in Sörenberg, and spent the next three hours walking leisurely downstream toward the town of Flühli. Unfortunately the sun disappeared about half-way through my excursion, but the weather was mild and I thoroughly enjoyed the sound of the water, especially when the path paralleled the main road: You could not hear the cars for the sound of the water.

I stumbled across a muddy pond and quite by accident noticed a nervous motion across the surface of the water, which turned out to be what seemed like hundreds of frogs! I'd never seen anything like it before. Most spectacular was the low croaking sound they were making, which taken all together sounded very much like a large large cat purring! It was marvelous to watch and listen to.

Recreation village of Sörenberg, popular during the winter ski season

Start of the trail in Sörenberg, heading North out of the valley. The Waldemme River has its source slightly Southeast of here, at the base of Mount Brienzerrothorn

I ran into some snow on the trail here, but not difficult to navigate

Trail no. 527 is the "Emmenuferweg" or "Emmen Bank Trail". The Waldemme River becomes the Kleine Emme (Small Emme) further North in Schüpfheim. I had considered walking all the way to Schüpfheim, but four hours would have been too long. As it turned out, the total of approx. 2 hours 15 minutes was enough!

A bit off the river trail is this view South to Mount Brienzerrothorn

This sign warns of storm damage to the trail somewhere between Sörenberg and Flühli, so I was a bit worried. But the sign says the trail is passable, you just have to be careful

On large stretches of the river were many of these man-made steps. It provided a constant sound of waterfalls, which was very soothing!

For most of the way the trail was forest trail like this, very pleasant to walk

As the river headed into a steep-sided canyon, the trail moved away from the river into the upper farmland

Looking across the canyon to the West, to the distinctive ridge called Schratteflue

Another look South at Mount Brienzerrothorn (a popular steam train goes up to the summit from the other side). The ridge forms the border of Canton Luzern (where I am walking) and Canton Bern.

And here is the pond where I was so fascinated by what seemed like a hundred frogs all making a low purring noise!

VIDEO:

A pond full of what looked like a hundred frogs, all softly croaking. If you listen carefully, you can hear a soft purring sound, that's what it sounded like

On the descent back to the river, this was the damage on the trail. Most of the fallen trees had already been cut and cleaned away.

A little over half-way to Flühli, the sun disappeared behind clouds

Cool fungus!

A snack break along the river just before reaching Flühli

Last stretch to Flühli. The history of the famous glass manufacturing plant in Hergiswil originated here and was one of the most important industries in Canton Luzern in the 18th century. But so much wood was needed that the forests became decimated, and glass production was moved to its current location of Hergiswil on Lake Lucerne