A Walk through the Countryside near the City of Luzern

Wednesday April 15th -- For our Wednesday outing we went slightly further afield, although still only about 20 km from home. We decided to start in Inwil near Rotkreuz (Canton Luzern) and walk along a variety of streams and rivers (Waldibach, Rotbach) to a town called Rothenburg, basically a stroll through the countryside parallel to the Reuss River, but not along it, as we have done so often recently. This time the air was clearer than recently and although we were viewing the horizon from a low altitude, we still had a very nice backdrop of mountains, mainly of course the nearby Mounts Pilatus and Rigi, as well as the Central Alps with the distinctive peak of Mount Titlis near Engelberg.

The walk started, of course, with a look inside the church at Inwil, and ended with NOT a look at the church in Rothenburg, as that one appeared too modern for my taste. In all it was actually a simple, pleasant ca. 12-km walk with a variety of trails (paved roads, forest trail, narrow trails along the creeks) and lots of other things to see besides the mountains, namely freshly-ploughed fields, blossoming fruit trees, large farms, marshes, horses, wooden covered bridges,... and best of all the weather was perfect for this walk, mild but not hot. This kind of walk would have been uncomfortable in the heat of the summer. 

Oh, and an added plus: The walk we did took us right past the Emmen military airfield (home of the Patrouille Suisse military jets) which can get quite noisy under normal circumstances, but we had the luck that at this current time not a lot of flying is going on, so other than some of the car noise from the freeway, it was a rather peaceful afternoon!

As has become tradition, most of our hikes start with a quick look at the local parish church. Although there was a church here in Inwil (documented) in the mid 13th Century, this building was built in 1777.

Lovely bright inside with a very attractive orgen (parish church in Inwil, Luzern)

From Inwil we headed in the direction of the Reuss River, but then walked West along the Rotbach River, then left it to follow the Waldibach Stream, and later joined the Rotbach River again for a pleasant final 2.5 kilometers in the Rotbach Gorge before reaching the train station in Rothenburg

In the 13th Century there was a fortress here. Usually they are found on higher elevations, but this area near the Reuss River offered a good observation point for traffic through the Seetal Valley

This is the Rotbach River, parts of which we are following toward the town of Rothenburg. To the right is the location of the old fortress and the former town of  Alt Eschenbach.

We were very happy with the clear view we had of Mount Pilatus to the South, and the Central Alps

Small marsh area next to the Rotbach River

There is a blue heron in the meadow

A small section through a forest along the Waldibach Stream

More nice views of the Central Alps to the South, including the recognizable peak Mount Titlis, where there is usually year-round skiing (the white slope on the right)

The road, though asphalt, had little traffic and was quite enjoyable to walk

Large farm areas, and below is the Seetal train emerging from the tunnel

We are still able to enjoy the blossoming fruit trees. This stage of spring usually passes by too quickly

Fruit trees blossoming, Mount Pilatus in the background

Entering the gorge through which flows the Rotbach River

Final 2.5 kilometers along the Rotbach River through the cool forest  

Just before heading to the train station in Rothenburg, we discovered there was a wooden bridge over the Rotbach River, so we had a quick look. We decided not to check out the church above on the hill, as it looks too modern

Walking back across the bridge to head to the train station. This particular bridge was built in 1715

12-km walk along the Rotbach River near the city of Luzern