Second Section of the Luzern Chapel Trail (Kapellenweg) from Hellbühl to Rüediswil

Saturday November 19, 2022 -- The day was mostly cloudy but we thought we might have some sunny breaks, so we ventured out anyway, but not too far... namely to the "Luzern Backcountry", just an hour away from home. We had long wanted to finish the other half of the 21-km "Kapellenweg" or "Luzern Chapel Trail" which we had started in March of 2021, so we took the bus to the south end of this themed trail, namely the village of Hellbühl, from where we walked northward after having looked into the first of the 17 churches and chapels featured on this trail.

This "lower" half of the Chapel Trail wasn't nearly as interesting as the northern half, maybe because much of the way was along paved roads, or because it was very cold with little sunshine, or maybe because the otherwise fantastic views of Mt.Pilatus were obscured by clouds. There were also fewer of the churches on this stretch, although one small chapel with frescoes was worth the detour, and the magnificent Baroque church in Ruswil (which we had just stopped short of last time) was definitely worth the trip.

Originally we had planned to walk all the way to St.Ottilien Chapel, where we basically ended the last time, but stopped to visit friends instead, and of course that's when the sun really came out.

Since the photos of the first half of the trail were better, in my opinion, I have linked the blog entry here again --> HERE. Also, there is additional information in that blog entry.

St. Wendelin's Church in Hellbühl is the first church featured on the 21-km route. It was built in the 1830's but there were churches in this location since 1499

Interior of St.Wendelin's church in Hellbühl

Heading up the hill on the "Chapel Trail", we had a nice look over the village of Hellbühl and to Mt. Rigi in the background. It was sunny at this point (11 a.m.) and we were hoping it would stay like this. 

Looking toward the mountains of the Entlebuch region of Canton Luzern

We ended our hike at about 9 km because it was too cold when the sun wasn't shining. There are only a couple of kilometers missing to join the other section of Trail no.528 which we did in March 2021. 

The trail takes us through a series of small farm properties. Each farm has a name, this one is Tannen

A lovely barn structure at the Tannen Farm. 

Before long the dark clouds moved in and it got cold. 

At the farm called Undere Herrenweg was this very quaint chapel with loads of frescoes inside. This chapel was built in 1614.

The frescoes inside the chapel at Unter Herrenboden were painted in 1625!!! What a magnificent work of art.... 

Details of the paintings inside the chapel, depicting 14 Saints, the "Fourteen Holy Helpers" of Catholic religious belief. 

Another look at the chapel as we continue on the trail. There was a large pig farm here, and the farmers had spread pig manure. Even though this is a typical smell in the Swiss countryside, we were eager to keep going!

The next farm was called Sonnhalde, there were pigs here too!

Such a pretty farmhouse

The next section of trail to the next farm called "Honig", which means "Honey"!

This is an apartment building with several stories, for little animals and insects! They called it a "Lebensturm" or "Living Tower"

The Luzern Backcountry is a very lovely pastoral region!

Some of the animals we saw along the way, lots of cats and pigs!

The farm called "Honig" (they actually did sell honey!)

Being observed by the sheep

Arriving in the town of Ruswil. The parish church here is the most monumental village church building in the Luzern back country. 

The fabulous St.Mauritius church is considered the most epic of all the churches in the Luzern back country. It is a Baroque Church built in 1783, and the interior is a real work of art. 

Baroque artwork in the St.Mauritius parish church of Ruswil, Luzern. 

Baroque artwork in the St.Mauritius parish church of Ruswil, Luzern. 

All of these baroque churches are like art museums. Even the ceilings are works of art. 

Baroque artwork in the St.Mauritius parish church of Ruswil, Luzern. 

Baroque artwork in the St.Mauritius parish church of Ruswil, Luzern. Down below on the right, a small group of actors is video-taping a message from "St.Nicholas" to the children.

The European version of "Santa Claus", i.e. St.Nicholas. This group of actors was making a video with the story of St.Nicholas, to be broadcast on a children's network, possibly? December 4th is the celebration of St.Nicholas. 

VIDEO:

European Santa Claus singing for the children. I wasn't quick enough to turn on the video for the whole song!

The fifth and final chapel on the 9-km section of the trail we walked this day. This new-gothic chapel called Eschkapelle was built in 1862.

Inside the Esch Chapel. The old painting on the right has a date of 1784 on it, and depicts the "Theft of the Holy Wafers from the church in Ruswil in 1690"

A depiction of the "Luzerner Kapellenweg" Trail from Hellbühl to Ettiswil. In March 2021 we walked fom Ettiswil to St.Ottilien. This time we started in Hellbühl but didn't make it all the way to St.Ottilien. 17 churches and chapels are featured along the trail, and we have seen 16 of the 17 now. 

Brochure with information on the 17 churches and chapels along the "Chapel Trail". The only one we have not yet seen is no.6, the Chapel in Rüediswil. (We ended our hike in Rüediswil, but didn't make it to the chapel). 

Location of the Luzern Back Country

Blog entry for the other section of the Luzern Chapel Trail is HERE