Early Spring Hike in the Emmental, from Röthenbach to Linden

Wednesday March 15, 2017 -- We haven't covered much ground in the Emmental yet, but there are still so many beautiful areas to discover here!

Following an online suggestion, we hiked our 10 kilometers in the rolling pastoral landscape just North of the Bernese Alps, and were immensely pleased with the wonderful panorama views along the entire length of the trail. 

Our hike started with a visit to the local cheese shop in Röthenbach, the starting point of our hike. As often as we can, we try to buy locally-made cheese, in this case not Emmentaler, but Röthenbacher! The gradual hike up the mountain (total 500m) was not difficult, and the landscape so beautiful with all the farms and the typical Emmental houses, and the oh so familiar aroma of spring fertilizing! 

Along the way we visited the Würzbrunnen Church, a historical structure whose origins date back almost 1000 years, first having been mentioned in a Papal document dated 1148. A time span exceedingly difficult to imagine! Inside is resplendent with wood carvings and clever furnishings, and a very relevant warning that no candles are to be lit! The location and charm of the church have made it a favourite wedding venue.

At about the halfway point of the tour is a fabulous 40-m high tower (195 steps!) built in 1998 for the 850^th anniversary of the town of Röthenbach. This beautiful white fir tower burned down in 2001 due to irresponsible use of campfires nearby, and was rebuilt in 2002. The 360-deg. views from the platform are magnificent, especially the recognizable peaks of the famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau trio. The air was a bit hazy, but it was a great day for an early Spring hike just the same....

Signau in the Emmental. From here we took a bus further into the valley to Röthenbach

Farmers are busy with spring fertilizing!

Buying local cheese for our picnic. That scale is one of only two such antiques in Switzerland.

Village of Röthenbach. Our hike starts here and heads uphill. Where we hiked there was no more snow.

First coffee break! We had views like this the whole day.

The very old church in Würzbrunnen, first mentioned in Papal documents dated 1148

The very old church in Würzbrunnen, first mentioned in Papal documents dated 1148

Inside the Würzbrunnen church, wonderful carved wood furnishings and ceilings.

Neat design for pullout and fold-down benches

The sign says that lighting candles is NOT allowed, for safety reasons....

On the outside front wall, very old frescoes

At the Würzbrunnen church

Emmental barn structure

This is where we had our lunch

There are often art displays in the woods ("The Meaning of Life" etc...). Or maybe a Stargate.

Ascending the 195 steps of the 40m Chuderhüsi Tower

Ascending the 195 steps of the 40m Chuderhüsi Tower

View of the Bernese Alps from the look-out platform 

The recognizable profiles of Mount Eiger (North Face), Mönch and Jungfrau (all ca.4000+m)

Emmental farms and pastures

Eiger North Face

Charming Emmental homes

Emmental architecture

Zoomed view of the Würzbrunnen Chapel from our hike along the ridge.

Wonderful spring weather in Switzerland's Emmental Region

The trail goes right past and through several typical farmsteads in this region

Last views on our last stretch before our descent.

Last views on our last stretch before our descent.

Last views on our last stretch before our descent. (This is Mount Schreckhorn 4,078 m)

So many farms are converting their roofs to solar panels! Such a good use of the roof areas

11-km, 3-hour hike in the Emmental region of Switzerland

Switzerland to Germany to Switzerland across the Rhine River

March 14th, 2017 -- My day off and a beautiful Spring Day, I decided to do a short walk (7 km) along the Rhine River, on the Swiss-German border. It's not quite 50km as the crow flies, but it takes about 1.5 hours with public transport to get to the border.

I walked mostly on the German side this time, for two reasons: 1. The Swiss side was in deep shadow and I had the sunshine (but I was dressed too warmly!) and 2. I needed to ship a package to the USA, and let's face it, I'm not that patriotic if a package to America costs 3x more to ship from Switzerland than from Germany.

Walking or riding bikes along the Rhine River is entertaining, as you can cross often: Sometimes you're in one country, sometimes in the other.

After mailing the package in Hohentengen in Germany, I walked back across the Rhine River to the charming village of Kaiserstuhl in Switzerland to catch a train back home. Oh, and that's when I noticed that my jacket was missing. Seems to have gotten waylaid along the way, due to having been dressed too warmly...

I started on the Swiss side, crossed over the Hydro Electric Plant to the German side, then walked along the Rhine River in Germany to Hohentengen to mail my package, then back again to Switzerland. A 6.5-km walk on a beautiful Spring Day.

Eglisau Hydro Electric Plant... I walked across that to get from Switzerland to Germany.

Walking through the woods along the Rhine River.

Walking along the Rhine River. The Swiss side is in shadow.

Village of Hohentengen in the Province of Baden, Germany

The bridge to cross the Rhine River back to Switzerland. The village is called Kaiserstuhl.

At the border crossing is the old insignia of the German Province of Baden. 

Statue of St. Nepomuk, Patron Saint of Bridges. In the back on the right, the tollhouse.

From the Swiss side looking across at Rötteln Castle in Germany.

Rhine River at Kaiserstuhl, Switzerland

Kaiserstuhl, Switzerland

Kaiserstuhl, Switzerland

Kaiserstuhl, Switzerland

Kaiserstuhl, Switzerland

The roofs in front are in Switzerland, and the little chapel is in Germany. 

To the Medieval Castle Kyburg near Winterthur

March 11, 2017 -- There are some nice areas to our North near Zurich that are ideal for early Spring hikes with lots of forests and farmlands and castles and look-out towers. On a clear day you can even see the snow-covered peaks of the Alps to the East and South.

This Saturday we picked a trail which took us past the renowned Kyburg Castle, which is a Swiss Heritage Site of National significance, as it is one of the largest remaining medieval castle complexes in Switzerland. (The mighty Habsburg Family from Austria claimed it as their own inheritance after the death of the last count of Kyburg in 1264). Unfortunately for us, the castle complex isn't open for public viewing yet (1st of April, just missed it by a couple of weeks) so we didn't even get to go into the courtyard.

Further along the trail, near our goal of Winterthur, is a 30-m high tower with a viewing platform (165 stairs) and although the day started out blue and cloudless, by the time we got to the tower the air was hazy and we barely could see the white peaks of the Alps.

But Spring is definitely on its way!

Walking through the forests from Kollbrunn to Kyburg

Arriving in the Hamlet Kyburg, with the castle of the same name.

In the village of Kyburg

 

In the village of Kyburg

Heading to the "Gasthof zum Hirschen" for lunch

A good hearty meal (for me, French Fries!) at the rustic "Gasthof zum Hirschen"

After lunch we check out the castle, only to find that it is not yet open to the public.

After lunch we check out the castle, only to find that it is not yet open to the public.

Continuing on our trail, we cross this wooden covered bridge over the River Töss

Spring is coming! Bear Garlic is popping up all over the forest floors (I love the smell...)

This appropriate sign was on the bench where we had our coffee break: "Time for a Break, You have earned it!"

In the forest near Winterthur

From further along the trail, the zoomed view of the castle looks like this.

The 30-m lookout tower near Winterthur

The day was too hazy to have any kind of great view from the tower.

Looks like Carnival is still a happening thing in the city of Winterthur

12-km walk from Kollbrunn to Wintherthur via Kyburg Castle