15-km hike from Lüderenalp in the Napf Region of the Emmental

Saturday June 3, 2023 -- We hadn't been to the Emmental region of Canton Bern for a while, in particular in the Napf Region which is very popular on weekends, but we risked it anyway as the area we wanted to walk is accessed by bus only on weekends. To avoid possibly full buses, we started very early again, leaving home before 6 a.m. to catch the first of four bus runs to get to the start of our hike at Lüderenalp at 8:30 a.m.

The day held loads of promise, and the early morning light and clear skies as well as the lovely Emmental houses on our bus ride up the valley called Gohlgraben were a pleasure. The road to the pass at the Lüderenalp Gasthaus and Restaurant at the back of the valley is also interesting, as it is so narrow with nowhere to pass, that no other vehicle traffic is allowed on the 4-km stretch short of the pass during the time the bus travels there.

We were correct that only a few people were headed up that way at this time, but five other people walking the same trail started at the same time, and they were all chatty people. Fortunately, the popular trail is to the summit of Mount Napf, the highest peak in this expansive region of undulating hills, and we chose a lesser-used trail, and were alone for most of the rest of the 4-1/2 hour hike after leaving the main trail.

Unfortunately, the forecast for pure sunshine all day didn't pan out again, and for a while it almost got too cold with thick cloud cover, but it was a good hike mainly because almost the full 15 kilometers were on narrow forest or meadow trails. Which was the reason we had picked this hike for this day. Clear air would have been "the icing on the cake" as you get a good view of the Alps to the South from here, but we unfortunately missed out this day. 

NOTE: At this time of year, deer often hide their babies in the tall grass of the uncut meadows, which can be dangerous if the farmer mowing his grass doesn't see them. On our way, we surprised two such deer (no babies, though) who had been resting in the tall grass and bounded out of the way when we walked past. 

Early morning 8:09 bus ride up the Gohlgraben (or Gohl Valley, so named because that's the name of the river there), from Langnau to Lüderenalp, a 27-minute ride with lots of Emmental farm houses to admire along the way

So many interesting farms and houses and barns along the way

The last section of the road up to the pass is so narrow, that other vehicles are not allowed on the road when the bus is on that stretch. It was the first run of the day, so the bus driver had to adjust the signs (It looks like they get "closed" for the night)

On the narrow road up to the pass, we can see the restaurant at Lüderenalp where we are starting on our hike

One lone tree on a hill in the distance

The view south as we get to Lüderenalp

The most popular route from here is the 4-hour trail to the summit of Mt.Napf, the highest peak in this region. (We have done that stretch before, but starting at Mt.Napf and walking in this direction. Those photos are HERE). We are leaving Trail no.3 at Hohmattgätterli

This was a long hike, 15 kilometers and over four hours, but it did not seem that long because almost the whole way was on narrow forest or mostly meadow trails. Very little on paved roads except at the very end. 

Starting off on our hike we walked quickly because we wanted to keep a distance from the handful of other hikers going the same way. We started at about 8:45.

Most of the time we were on nice narrow paths like this one. 

To the north, more single trees on little hills, this looks so cute. 

The rolling hills of the Napf Region in the Emmental

Small buildings and farms dotted the countryside

We made it to the junction at 9:50, about an hour after starting out, so less than the recommended time. From this point on, heading south in the direction of Langnau, we were all alone on the trail, as the few other hikers on the trail this morning did indeed head toward the Napf. 

Lots of narrow meadow trails

We had to walk through this farmyard

Peek-a-Boo!

This farm was called Schinenalp

We didn't stop here but it would be a great place for a picnic

You don't often see "half a house". They must have removed an attached barn which got too old, and are now building a new one on there

Sometimes we have to walk through fields that have just been mowed. The trail is recognizable because it is usually darker green than the places where the grass was long. 

This place is called Imperech, and this is where we stopped for lunch

This cute little hut had benches all around, so you could choose to sit in the sun or in the shade!

All kinds of pretty meadow flowers we saw along the way

This is some very tall grass! This farm is called Guggernülli, it has something to do with a Cuckoo. (Gugger is another name for the Cuckoo)

My favourite meadow flowers are the daisies, they look so happy

A bit of a rest before heading downhill now toward the end of our hike

This hillside is called Grindlen, and there were three sets of farmhouses. The first one here, Ober-Grindlen, was very pretty. 

The beautiful farmhouse at Obergrindlen

Many farms have secondary buildings called "Spycher", which consist of storage on the lower level and living quarters above (usually for elderly parents when the children take over running the farm). Around the beautiful door is an inscription with the name of the person who built the "Speiher", and a date of 1741.

Amazing how those roofs go so low. The living quarters are on two levels, and the upper level barely gets any sunshine. And the large roof area is probably filled with hay.

Various "Spycher" buildings we saw along the way

On to the final stretch. The last few farms below before we reach or destination of the village of Bärau

Heading down to the road for the final stretch to Bärau

How can you tell I just love the daisies of the fields!

VIDEO:
Daisies swaying in the wind! I love daisies.

Always such clever decorations

Even though it is more expensive to build with this much wood, it is nice to see new houses being built in the traditional Emmental style. 

Crossing the Gohl Stream

A staple of the Swiss countryside: The smell of pig manure being distributed on the pastures!

Another very large farmhouse and the accompanying Spycher, just on the outskirts of Bärau

And one more lovely house in the village of Bärau itself

These are the various hikes we have done in the Napf Region. The photos for the other two 2017 hikes, both ending at Lüderenalp but starting at different sides can be viewed HERE and HERE

The Napf region in Switzerland

On the way home we stopped at the Kambly Cookie factory (it was on the way) for some more free samples, and a large purchase to take home!