Hiking in Switzerland – Gabrielle and Urs: Eggiwil

January 6, 2018

First Hike of 2018 in the Emmental: Schangnau to Eggiwil

January 6, 2018 -- Our first hike of the new year 2018, and we found a place that had sunshine and we ran into only a very few snowy spots as the snow has quickly disappeared on the slopes that have Southern exposure.

We hiked 12 km in the Emmental, a favourite area of ours for lower elevation hiking as the hilly landscape is varied and interesting and pastoral and much nicer than walking in the very flat areas.

It turned out to be like a damage-assessment excursion, as we had some hurricane-strength winds last week and trees got blown down everywhere around the country. So our forest walk was much like an obstacle course, going under large trees lying across the path and navigating over the upturned roots. And everywhere the farmers had already cleaned off the branches of the downed trees and laid them all side-by-side in the fields.... probably not really knowing what to do with all that wood as there is currently low demand and prices are not good.

But we enjoyed the walk, with views of the local snow-covered ranges (Schrattenfluh, Hohgant, and Brienzerrothorn), a winding (although muddy) forest trail above a gorge, and plenty of sunshine.... it felt like spring, right down to the sheep in the fields and the cats in the farmhouse windows.

This is where we started our hike, in Schangnau in the Emmental region of Switzerland.

We bought some cheese and bread in the local grocery and started with a picnic on a bench in the sun, overlooking Schangnau.

Before heading onto the meadow and forest trail, we admired some of the lovely Emmental houses

On the left (Schrattenfluh), in the middle (Brienzer Rothorn), on the right (Hohgant). And the first batch of prepared trunks from the trees uprooted by the storm

On the North flanks there is still plenty of snow, but on the South exposure we can do some hiking, although lots of places were very wet and muddy.

As about half of our hike was through forested areas, we had to deal with a lot of this. We found out later it was advised not to walk in the forests due to some trees being unstable.

From this vantage point it is hard to see, but that large tree on the left had come from way up the hill on the right and carved a swathe across the hillside on its way down.

That tree was originally way up on the hill to the left....

Here's a building that suffered "slightly" from the storm!

And it's always a pleasure to spot wildlife in the forests. There isn't a lot of it and the animals mostly stay hidden.

A pleasant surprise was this cliff made of molasse conglomerate, and the trail went right beneath the overhang... after first having to make our way under the blown-over tree.

On each hike we do there is always a surprise like this one.....

Walking across pastures is always a favourite.

We counted at least eight cats at this farmhouse.

Typical Emmental farm scene

Signs of new life, only a couple of more months until spring time!

We had a 40-minute piece on a wet and muddy forest trail and had to navigate over and under lots of downed trees.

Finally out of the forest and into the last stretch, heading North.

Crossing the River Emme. The last portion of our hike to our destination of Eggiwil was unfortunately along the paved road, 3 km.

Last view South to the Hohgant ridge which separates this area from Lakes Thun and Brienz (Interlaken) to the South. It was 3 pm and we were already out of sunshine.

Altogether about 12 km (we had to make a detour at one point) and this took us 3 hours 20 minutes to walk.

November 1, 2017

From Langnau to Eggiwil in the Emmental

November 1, 2017 -- Not all of our hikes are ideal, and this one wasn't one of my favourites. The weather was good and we had nice views, but I wasn't prepared for about half of the tour to be on paved roads. I can walk a long time on meadow and forest trails, and especially on high alpine trails, but asphalt tires me out within minutes.

It was a cold morning, so our long uphill climb on the shady side of the mountain was actually quite enjoyable. Here the trails were good and interesting and the cows are thrilled to be out in this weather, so we were accompanied by the cowbells, which is always a treat. But there was more forest than views, which I hadn't been expecting. Still, I was able to get some nice photos. We were accompanied by views of the typical rolling hills of the Emmental along the way, and where we stopped for lunch (Blapbach) we saw a few of the snowy peaks of the Bernese Alps. The restaurant is known for its meringue desserts, but it was so busy that our order took a long time coming, so no time for dessert. Instead we bought some meringues when we got back down to the valley, and made our own dessert at home (also WAY cheaper that way!)

The most interesting feature on this tour was that we unexpectedly came upon one of the very oldest tunnels in Switzerland. We all know the Swiss have been building tunnels galore, but this one called the "Hegenloch" was blasted by locals in the mid 1800's using only Bernese black powder as an explosive. The "rock" is what they call "puddingstone", probably easier to blast than other rock, but still it made me think of the difference between cutting down a tree with an axe or a chainsaw....

Another 13 km hike in the Emmental, 4 hours, from Langnau to Eggiwil, about 600 altitude meters both up and down.

Cows are happy to be outside in the crisp weather

This farmer just sent his mamas and babies out to the pasture to enjoy the lovely morning as well

The farmer just sent his mamas and babies out to the pasture to enjoy the lovely morning as well

The Emmental is a pastoral landscape of low rolling hills

Carved from the Siamese Twin Tree

Here in the Emmental they prefer Simmental cows to the Swiss Brown

The Hegenloch tunnel is one of the oldest tunnels in Switzerland

We walked through a lot of sun-dappled forests. These sections of trail are preferable to the paved roads

As we got close to the restaurant (after 3 hours of walking) we finally got the view I was expecting the whole way

The peaks of Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn and Finsteraarhorn from the Bernese Alps are just visible on the horizon

I could say this one picture made the 4-hour hike worthwhile

Restaurant Blapbach, where we had a very good lunch on the terrace, is a popular restaurant and we had to wait a long time for our food. Any mountain restaurant accessible by car will be bound to be popular on such a beautiful fall day.

On the last hour steep downhill to Eggiwil, the view South was unfortunately quite hazy

In any case, the Emmental farms and houses are always a highlight

On our descent to Eggiwil we passed many interesting Emmental buildings.

Crossing the Emme River before reaching Eggiwil

Hotel feature in Eggiwil

Hoping to "score" some meringues before the bus came. Bakery was open, but there was no one there to serve us. The owner must have gone upstairs for a quick nap.