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!

Short Walk above Lake Zurich from Hütten to Richterswil

Saturday July 6, 2024 -- This was a tough one to plan, as only the morning till noon promised nice weather, so did we want to travel far for a three-hour hike and then be caught in the rain? We knew we'd be safe if we stayed around Lake Zurich, which we can reach in about an hour, so we settled for a short two-hour walk from the farmlands on the southwest side of the lake ending at Richterswil on the lake. (We started early at 8:30 a.m, and were already on our way home by 11:15).

In retrospect, we could have done a lovely 3-hour hike in the hills between Lake Sihlsee and Lake Wägitalersee just slightly to the south of where we were, as the skies remained blue there till at least 1 p.m. We had started early and could have finished that hike in time. In the end, this was simply a very easy morning walk for us, not far from home. We started near a lake called Hüttensee surrounded by lovely marshlands, walked through the industry of Samstagern and down to a reservoir lake, and from there into a lovely ravine which we followed for 20 minutes. That ravine was pleasant, as it was really a hot morning. On the short walk through Richterswil to the train station we saw some quaint houses, but didn't really feel like going up to see the town church for a change... 

The trip starts with a bus ride from Wädenswil on Lake Zurich up into the hillside on the west side of the lake. 

To the south we can see the Glärnish mountains. This is where we could have done a nice 3-hour hike in the mountains, and it wouldn't have been much further to travel to. 

Heading down from the main road toward the lake called Hüttnersee

This was a very short walk for us, just under 8 kilometers, starting in the village of Hütten and walking down to Lake Zurich, where we caught the train back home (it is just an hour's trip). 

Heading down from the main road toward the lake called Hüttnersee

A lovely house on the way to the marshlands

Enjoying the marshlands near Lake Hüttnersee

When we see these beautiful snails crosing the road, we help them along by putting them in the grass on the side they are headed to!

A look back up to the village of Hütten. 

At this house the owners had set up what they call a "Besenbeiz", which is just a place where you can sit and enjoy some refreshments and light homemade snacks in their garden.

At the far end of the lake was a spot where people could go swimming. 

Right next to the warehouses and factories in Samstagern are pastures with cows!

We sat on a bench under a very large walnut tree and enjoyed a coffee break and the view of Lake Zurich to the south. 

Our trail passes under the railway line. 

We came to a little reservoir lake called Sternenweiher. 

A walk around the little lake. This is like Urs making a large detour around the cows which we usually run into on our trails!

A look at the dam side of the lake, which we crossed before entering the ravine. 

Crossing the dam at the Sternenweiher lake. 

The ravine we walked through was called the Mülitobel. 

Walking through the forest in the Mülitobel Ravine. 

Walking through the forest in the Mülitobel Ravine. 

Walking through the forest in the Mülitobel Ravine. On a hot day it is nice to walk along a stream or river!

We always enjoy the bridges. 

Pretty waterfalls

VIDEO:

The sound of water is always lovely!

Walking through Richterswil toward the train station. 

This house was built in 1746-1749 by a citizen of the village who was a vintner and butcher. There were four apartments in the house. Over the years, the family had various businesses in this house, from textiles to hat making to a bakery. 

Quaint shops

That's an interesting building..

A look up at the main church (there are three) as the train leaves the station. It was too hot and we weren't in the mood to walk up there to have a look at it. 

What our hike looks like on Google Satellite Maps