Mannenberg Loop Trail in the Emmental

Sunday March 28, 2021 -- Another beautiful day, so this time we traveled to Canton Bern, which is a really, really large Canton and has a large variety of hiking landscapes, not just snowy Alps. 

We again chose a themed trail which we read about on our main hiking map, and this one promised stupendous views. The trail is an 11-km loop trail called the "Mannenberg Rundweg", and even though at first glance the hill seemed so small we could hardly imagine any view at all, we were wonderfully surprised at the magnificence of the entire Bernese Alpine range from East to West with all the famous peaks, including Mt. Finsteraarhorn which is the highest peak in the Bernese Alps, and my favourite: Mt. Schrekhorn. The air was just slightly hazy, but we really had a tremendous view.

Besides the view, the round tour provided a lot of variety of forest trails, meandering through farming hamlets with the typical Bernese houses, and a final long (and always monotonous) return walk along the Emme River back to the train station in Hasle. (It's this river that gives its name to the Emmental region of Canton Bern). We could have gone the other way, to a nearer train station in Oberburg, but as we arrived in Hasle earlier in the day to start the hike, we happened upon an information placard which informed us that the allegedly LARGEST wooden covered arch bridge in Europe was to be admired 800m downstream from its original location at the new concrete structure that crossed the river from Hasle to Rüegsau. (The original wooden bridge was not able to deal with the increase in traffic, so they dismantled it and re-erected it 800m downstream!). So we really wanted to see this bridge on the return trip!

See, the description promises stupendous views!

Although I often wonder why we need to travel away from Zug for the stupendous views, as this is what we see from our lake access near where we live! (In the center are the same Bernese Alps we went to see!)

It took us 2 hours 20 minutes to the train station in Hasle by Burgdorf. We're heading up the hill to Rachisberg, where the trail loops back down through the farms.

The first view of the Bernese mountains on our way up the hill. Slightly hazy, but still a good view. On the right is Mount Finsteraarhorn, the tallest of the Bernese Alps.

First of many beautiful Emmental farmhouses

And another house with a fantastic roof, a little different than most of the ones we saw otherwise

Here is the spot we picked for our picnic lunch, with this view from far East to far West

The Emmental landscape and the Bernese Alsps

A close-up of my favourite peaks: Wetterhorn, Schrekhorn, Finsteraarhorn

This is Rachisberg farm, where our loop now takes us away from the view of the Alps

Heading along the edge of the forest

One last look south before heading down through the forest to the farms

A few of the animals we saw along the way. Turns out the sheep is a rare and endangered breed from Wales (UK) called the "Balwen Welsh Mountain Sheep". The goat is a rare and protected Swiss Breed called the "Capra Grigia" originating from the Ticino and Canton Grisons. And the cow, well it's just cute!

Another fantastic farmhouse. They all have a small balcony tucked under the overhang, which, among other things, was used to hang up clothes to dry. But any upper rooms would have gotten very little light.

A display of cow bells!

Always lots of buzzards

A particularly old farmhouse totally made of wood

A look back at the several clusters of houses we walked through, admiring the typical Emmental structures

Rounding the corner before our descent to the Emme River, another view of the famous Bernese Alps, including the Eiger North Wall. The mountains are clearer in the later afternoon light.

Mount Schrekhorn

Looking down at Hasle

Spring flowers

Heading down to the Emme River. The town in back is called Oberburg

The final three (boring) kilometers were along the Emme River. Lots of pretty flowers like these on the forest floor

Finally, the first glimpse of the wooden bow bridge. At 68.7 m, this is thought to be the largest wooden bow bridge in Europe. In the center it is 7 m above the river.

Crossing the wooden bridge (which also accepts vehicle traffic) to see if we can get a better view from the other side. In 1955 it was completely dismantled and moved here from its original location 800m upstream. 

 A view of the bridge from the other side of the river

And here we are back at the train station. The bridge behind Urs is where the wooden bridge used to be. The wooden bridge was dismantled in 1955 and rebuild 800m further downstream.

Location of the Mannenberg Loop. Not too far for us to travel. The Bernese Alps that we saw where in the area South of Interlaken.