Back-Country Luzern from Werthenstein to Malters

Sunday May 23, 2021 -- We had plans for the day, to climb a mountain nearby (near Lake Zurich), but it rained heavily all night and besides the sky being fully overcast when we woke up, we were worried that steep trails might be muddy this day.

It looked like the skies were clearing in Canton Luzern in the opposite direction, so we mapped out another excursion in the Luzern "Back Country" which is an area we can get to in an hour or so. That way we could wait and watch the weather development.

We left home at 11:15 (late for us) and headed to Werthenstein (with its monastery perched at the edge of a vertical cliff), which is near Wolhusen where we ended our Mother's Day Hike (those recent photos are at this link HERE). From there we walked to Malters, not along the Kleine Emme River, but on the hilltops parallel to it. We travel this valley a lot by train when we travel from Luzern to the Emmental, and have always admired the surrounding hills, but never been up there. The ascent from Werthenstein is not difficult, and at the top is a high plateau with some nice views of the northern Luzern farmlands. 

It was also a good choice in that most of the trail was country roads, and even those sections through the forests were fairly clean. On the descent to Malters, the trail was a series of steps and so prevented the trail from being slippery. Malters, by the way, has a Catholic Church with the highest steeple in all of Switzerland..... 

This photo of the Werthenstein monastery, perched on a vertical cliff above the Klein Emme River, was taken earlier in Spring on one of our other trips past here. This stretch between Luzern and Bern is one we travel often, and we always admire this structure. On this day we start our hike at the small station here in Werthenstein, but this time I forgot to photograph the monastery as we pulled into the station!

Heading uphill from the station in Werthenstein, we get a nice view of the monastery, plus the bend in the Klein Emme River here, and the wooden covered bridge which provides the access to the monastery.

These past couple of years there was a lot of work done to fortify the cliff wall below the monastery, as it was crumbling.

Herons and kites in flight

We passed through many farms, sometimes being "herded" through the cattle chutes! 

I always enjoy the trails that pass through the meadows. They are so soft to walk on!

And these knds of forest trails are also always pleasant

There will always be photos of meadow flowers from now on!

This section of the trail indicates possibility of falling rock. We are curious as to what is coming up!

A pleasant surprise! A tall waterfall over a deep cleft under the cliff. So we are going to walk behind the waterfall!

VIDEO:
Walking and biking behind the waterfall!

Urs behind the waterfall!

From behind the waterfall

It was a popular road for bikers, and they all stopped to take a photo instead of just zooming right through!

Beautiful countryside, very nice trails, and we didn't even have to travel far for this!

On the uphill sections there were lots of such stairs, even in the forest. I find this makes it easier and faster to climb

More stairs on the last climb to the upper area where there are lots of farms

There will also be lots of photos of cows from now on!

Summit of Mt. Pilatus to the South

Pasturelands to the North. This is not far from where we did the Chapel Trail earlier in Spring.

More of the mountains to the South

I love the barns with the large roofs

Tail end of Mt. Pilatus range ahead of us

Nearing the point at which we descend to Malters. And in the background is Mt.Rigi, which we can see from almost everywhere!

This beautiful horse is apparently a Gypsy Vanner (information from a knowledgeable friend)

Looking down at the city of Malters, the end of our excursion for the day. The steeple of the church is the tallest Catholic Church steeple in Switzerland

Sometimes our trail goes UNDER bridges!

More steps through the hillside neighbourhood.

Crossing the Kleine Emme River. It's on its way through the Entlebuch to meet the Reuss River near Luzern.

A different style of house, but with some nice painting beneath the roof overhang

This church in Malters has the highest steeple of all catholic churches in Switzerland

Another almost 3.5-hour hike from Werthenstein to Malters. We pass through here often by train and it was nice to see for a change what is up on top of the hill.

How our hike looks on Google Satellite Maps

All the hikes we have done in this area near Mt.Pilatus in the past eight years