Trub to Trubschachen via Risisegg Crest, in the Napf Region of Central Switzerland

Sunday November 10, 2024 -- With Saturday a "day of rest" for me (Urs went to help his brother with garden work in Appenzell, and in retrospect I should have gone along, as the fog they had also been having in that region had lifted for the day, and it was actually a very nice day there!), on this Sunday we planned another small outing, having to keep our walking time to about two hours without much downhill.

With all this fog in the central part of Switzerland at this time of year, Sundays are a difficult day to plan for outings above the fog, as all the popular mountain regions will have loads of people accessing them for a sunny Sunday outing. So we chose an outing in the Emmental once again, where studies of the webcams showed that it would probably be free of fog. 

There is a popular themed trail called the "Grenzpfad Napfbergerland", which follows a 115-km long trail along the Napf region of central Switzerland, and a trail of which we have done several sections already. In September of 2021 we walked a section of Stage 3 of this trail (photos HERE) but descended earlier than originally planned (due to my frustration because the weather didn't play along). The place we descended to at the time is called Trub, and today seemed to be the ideal day to start there again, hike back up to the ridge trail, and continue down to Trubschachen which is the end of Stage 3.

It was ideal because the initial uphill climb was only 250 meters in elevation gain, and from there on it was a pleasant always slightly downhill walk on partly paved roads, with views of the mountains, cows in the pastures, and no fog. Ending the hike at the Kambly Cookie Factory means another session of free cookie samples and, with luck, an empty table for coffee in the overcrowded café sections of the shop, typical, unfortunately, for a Sunday afternoon there. 

All the way from home to Luzern and past Wolhusen we had fog, which started to let up before we reached Trubschachen. 

We got to Trubschachen at about 10:45 but had to wait there 30 minutes for the bus into the Fankhaus Valley. It was very cold there! Then it was an 8-minute bus ride to the village of Trub, where we started our hike at the north end of the village. These are some houses along the way.

We started our hike at the north end of the village. This house was one we passed when we ended the other hike in September 2021. 

Our hike started with an uphill climb partly in the shade of the forest, so it wasn't too hot and quite easy to climb. 

A look down the valley toward Trubschachen, where there is some fog moving in from the direction of Langnau (we had heard that this might be the case). What this means for us is possibly having to walk down into the fog at the end of our hike.

And from above, a zoomed view of the village of Trub. The bus leaving Trubschachen was actually more full than we had expected and we wondered why. We thought those people were headed to the end of the valley from where they would walk up to the summit of Mt. Napf. But they all descended here. From the look of the full parking lot, there must be an event going on this Sunday!

One of the options we had considered for this day was a walk along the river between Langnau and Trubschachen, and based on all that fog there, we are glad we chose to come into this side valley instead!

We started our hike at the north end of the village of Trub at 11:20 and climbed up to the crest trail (Trail no.65: "Grenzpfad Napfbergerland") which took us about 45 minutes. We stopped at a farmhouse at Risiseggknubel for our picnic lunch. The whole hike was about 2½ hours. We got to the Kambly Cookie factory at about 2 p.m.  

As we got to the crest, we had a view of this mountain to the east, which I think is called Fürstein, a summit we climbed from the other side, and walked down on this side. (Photos HERE)

There was a bench in front of the farmhouse at Risiseggchnubel, and it looked like no one was home, so we "borrowed" the bench for our 15-minute lunch break. 

Taking a lunch break here for about 15 minutes arond noon time. It was almost too hot here in the sun, next to the warm house wall!

This was our view from the bench where we had our picnic lunch. The air was hazy, but we could make out Mounts Eiger and Mönch on the right, plus the distinctive horn called Schibegütsch at the south end of the Schrattenflue Massif. 

Heading off on our hike again after a small break here. 

To the south are the Bernese Alps, namely Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, with the saddle called Jungfraujoch on the right. 

It was a nice walk, as there were only a handful of other people walking along this road. The cows have free use of the road here too. There WERE several cars which passed us, though, which was surprising, as there doesn't seem to be anything but farms up here. (Maybe an event at a farm?) 

The cows are always so curious.

We have come quite a ways south now, so we have to look behind us now to the village of Trub, where we started our hike. These are the lovely hills of the Napf Region. 

Another close-up look at the village of Trub in the Fankhaus Valley. 

And another look at the Bernese Alps to the south. 

Farmers are glad that the cows can still graze and don't have to be fed the hard-earned hay yet. 

I think the cows are very happy to still be out enjoying the fresh air as well!

Middle of November and we can do a "mountain" walk with the sound of the cowbells. 

These are the kinds of walks I like to do in winter, because the landscape is still so green. 

The smallest people are already out hiking! (They did put her in the baby carrying back-pack for the final downhill stretch!)

The pointed peak left of center is called the Finsteraarhorn and is the highest mountain in the Bernese Alps. 

Following Route no.65: "Grenzpfad Napfbergerland", we have another 35 minutes to go to descend to Trubschachen. 

Heading down the hill now toward Trubschachen. NO MORE FOG!!!

Along the way we pass some very pretty Emmental-Style houses. 

Along the way we pass some very pretty Emmental-Style houses. 

These small buildings are called Spycher, and were originally used to store grain in the bottom part, and as a secondary small apartment for older family members at the top. 

Another lovely large Emmental-Style house, with the secondary house called a Spycher. 

Further along the road we passed another small Spycher on a farm called Schwand. 

Heading across the Schwand pastures, this rooster was crowing like crazy. A late riser, you might say, as it was now almost 2 p.m. (Like the rooster in the story of how the Canton Border between Uri and Glarus was determined in 1315...)

A view across the rooftops of Trubschachen, where we caught the bus into the Fankhaus Valley at 11:15, and will catch the train back home after coffee and cookies at the Kambly Factory!

Our hike ends at the Kambly factory at about 2 p.m., now already in shadow. We do a lot of hiking in this region, and when possible, stop by here after the hikes for coffee and free cookies!

The factory produces a large variety of cookies (mostly with chocolate) as well as crackers and other healthy cookies, all of which you can sample for free. The cookies are also sold in bulk for cheaper than the specially-packaged ones for the stores. On this day the shop was PACKED (typical for a Sunday), and the ladies were rushing to fill all the sampling boxes as they emptied quickly! We were very lucky to have been able to grab an empty table for two. All the other tables were taken. 

This is what our hike looks like on Google Satellite Maps. We started at a bus stop just north of the village of Trub, and walked across the Bisisegg crest and back down to Trubschachen. It was a short walk of less than three hours, but with lots of sunshine and no fog. 

All the hikes we have done in the Napf region around Trubschachen and Escholzmatt. 

Location of the Napf region in Switzerland. 

This is an example of what happens on a Sunday in Switzerland when the low-lands are covered in fog. All the people head into the mountains, like here in Kriens (Luzern) at the gondola cable-way to Mount Pilatus. We have had to stand here in line on a nice day before, but never more than about five people on the left! This is outrageous! And this is why we always try to think of places to go on a nice Sunday where we expect the least amount of other people. 

On the Bern-Luzern Canton Border from Schangnau to Trubschachen

Monday July 8, 2024 -- The weather is alternating between rainy days and then very hot ones, which creates thick clouds over the mountain tops. But we were still hoping for views of the Bernese Alps when we traveled to the Emmental on this sunny day. 

We hiked to the summit of a mountain called Wachthubel near Marbach (which is actually in Canton Luzern), although we did start in Canton Bern near Schangnau. We were up here the last time in 2015 and I remember at the time that we had good views of the mountains. Although the day started clear and we had very nice views of the Emmental region, the summits of the Bernese Alps only peeked through a couple of times.

From Wachthubel we had the option to return back to Marbach (which would have been a 2½-hour hike total) but we decided to walk along the entire ridge toward Trubschachen in the north, because Urs wanted to buy some cookies! We probably should have stayed with the shorter hike, as the long 15-km walk along the crest this time didn't offer a lot of diversion and became tiring quite quickly. To get to the cookie factory, we simply could have taken the train there from anywhere!

(Side Note: When we did this hike the first time in April 2015, we had no sunshine but at least had the diversion of the many many fields of crocuses along the way, and views of the Bernese Alps, even though the sky was milky. Those photos are HERE). 

We started a little further back on the road this time, as opposed to the 2015 hike, just before the village of Schangnau, but soon reaching the main trail. At 9 a.m. we had a nice look at the Hohgant Massif on the way up. It only takes us about 90 minutes of travel time to get here. 

Some of the pretty farms below. The town of Schangnau is just a bit to the right. 

Heading up the hill to join the main trail which comes up from Schangnau. 

Getting closer to the summit now. 

That U-shaped Pass is called the Sichle, and after you cross it, the Justis Valley heads down toward Lake Brienz. We have long talked about doing that hike. 

Just above the crest of the Hohgant massif, we get a lone glimpse of the summit of Mt.Eiger. 

Last stretch before reaching the top of the Wachthubel, which is the summit in the very back. 

Almost to the top now!

And to the south, the peaks of Mt.Schrekhorn make an appearance That's all we saw of it this day, unfortunately. 

We got to the summit of the Wachthubel at 10:15, and stayed here for half an hour. 

How pretty!

A Swiss Military Helicopter

All the peaks of the Gantrisch mountains to the south are hidden by clouds. It took us about an hour and 15 minutes to get up here, and we still have almost three hours to walk to Trubschachen. Marbach would only have been one hour and 10 minutes, and in retrospect, we probably should have done that. 

Including the visit to the Kambly factory, this ended up being about a 4½-hour hike from Schangnau to Trubschachen.  

View over the Emmental region to the west

View to the Luzern Entlebuch region to the east

We are walking on both the National Trail no.2: "Trans-Swiss Trail" and Regional Trail no.65: "Grenzpfad Napfbergerlad" (which means "Border Trail in the Napf Mountain Region"), all mostly on the border between Cantons Luzern and Bern. 

Other families going for a walk here. Even the smallest ones are already avid hikers!

And the farmers are taking advantage of the warm weather to finally get the meadows cut and dried. 

This farm is called Grosshorben

The first thing we noticed was that there were very many swallows' nests under the roof overhang!

And the next thing we noticed was the fridge with the cold refreshments, and ice cream bars for Urs, of course!

The guard dog was cute. He didn't even lift his head, just wagged his tail. And didn't bark, and didn't try to run to us. I like that kind of dog!

I wonder if all these children belong to the same family: Adrian, Julia, David, Philipp, Tanya, Kilian, Miriam!

Another look to the east across the Entlebuch region. We have not walked on those hills yet, but that is in the plan for some day... (the buses don't get close enough, so a lot of walking is required). 

And now we have arrived at the Rämisgummen Alp, the huge meadow which boasts the most crocuses in one place in Switzerland, especially purple ones. (See the photos from our last hike to here, when we got to see all the crocuses --> HERE)

The sign points toward Rämisgummen Alp! The farm here is called "Hinter Rämisgummen" ("Hinter" means "back", and there are often three such farms in one area, "Back", "Middle" and "Front", and sometimes even "Upper" and "Lower"). We hoped to find a bench near one of the buildings, in the shade preferably, but no such luck. 

We did catch sight of this cute bird, called a Black Redstart. (This is a female)

Continuing along the way, we got to "Mittel Rämisgummen", or the "Middle" farm. 

Part of the "Middle" farm was this barn with horses in it, and even though there was no bench in the shade, we sat on the steps there to eat our lunch. It was the best we could do. 

Now the rest of the way down to Trubschachen is mostly on roads, and unfortunately one very long stretch on a paved road! This farm is called "Oberhauenen" ("Ober" means "Upper" and there are often "Upper" and "Lower" farms with the same name). 

There were still a few linden trees in bloom, and this one we came across was a particularly HUGE one! The blossoms still gave off their distinctive perfume. 

Looking back at the huge linden tree!

The trail took a little detour through this farm called Bergenhüsi, probably because there were a couple of very nice old Emmental-style structures to admire. 

The main farmhouse at Bergenhüsi

A side building called a Spycher, usually for storage or living quarters for elderly parents. On the beautiful door was an inscription in old German Text which I could not read, but the date is 1738...

Another big beautiful farm house along the way.

Lovely garden

A look down at the western part of Trubschachen on our final descent. 

There is the famous Kambly Cookie factory where we have been many times, and always stop at when we do a hike in the area. They offer free cookies in their shop, so we fill up on chocolate and cookies, maybe even sit for a cup of coffee if we want to take the time. We got here at 2:30 p.m.  

A short stretch on the narrow trail next to the Ilfis river (you can swim here). 

Trying out all the cookies and crackers that are made in the shop here! The best cookies are sold in boxes in the grocery stores, and here you can buy them in bulk. 

On our way to the train station in Trubschachen with Urs' stash of cookies, and another lovely linden tree to wait under (10 minutes till the train comes, 15:14, and less than 90 minutes to get home). 

One of the pretty houses in Trubschachen, which is also in the Emmental

All the hikes we have done in the region between Schangnau and Trubschachen.

Where the Rämisgummen Alp is located in Switzerland. 

The lovely landscape on the way back to Luzern. 

These are the mountains we saw on our April 2015 hike, and were hoping to see again this time, but they were all hidden by clouds. The peaks include the Finsteraarhorn, the highest peak in the Bernese Alps (the one on the right). 

Originally, we had planned on doing a hike on Mount Niederhorn, which is very close to the Bernese Alps and offers some pretty fantastic views. Here is a webcam of how the weather was for most of the day. It's a good thing we changed our minds before heading up that mountain!

Webcam view of the Bernese Alps from Mount Niederhorn this same day!