Hiking

Trans Swiss Trail
Stage 14, Eggiwil–Schangnau

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Trans Swiss Trail
Stage 14, Eggiwil–Schangnau
Ridge walk on the west flank of the Pfyffer. Breathtaking views from the Wachthubel of Schrattenflue and Hohgant, foothill bastions of the Alps. Black buffalos are seen on the decent - the reason Schangnau is famous for its mozzarella.
Eggiwil is located in the upper part of the Emmental valley. Typical Emmental inns characterise the village. The hiking trail follows the Emme for the first few minutes, then leaves the course of the river at Untere Brach. Climbing uphill on paths and a paved road, you reach Ober Steinboden after an ascent of 400 metres, followed by Hinder Rämisgumme. The small farm is situated on the border of the Unesco Biosphere Entlebuch. The "Wild West of Lucerne" is known for its alpine pastures, untouched moorland, the wildly rugged Schrattenfluh or the Brienzer Rothorn, which is probably one of the most beautiful vantage points in Switzerland.
The Schrattenfluh, a mountain range of about six kilometres, is now located directly in front of you. On the other side you can see the extensive, mostly vegetation-free karst fields of the Schratten limestone. The numerous caves and furrows are the result of erosion processes, since the rain immediately seeps into the subsoil through the porous rock ledges. A short time later, you reach Pfyffer at 1316 m.a. s. l. From here and up to Wachthubel, the Napfbergland border trail uses the same route as the Trans Swiss Trail. Now the Hohgant, also known as the crown of the Emmental, emerges into view. After a gentle up and down hike, the highest point of the stage is reached an hour later at 1414 m.a. s. l.. The Wachthubel with its breathtaking panoramic view invites you to take a longer break.
Now follows the approximately one-hour descent to Schangnau, the destination of the hike. The village is located at the top of the Emmental on the border to the Bernese Oberland, surrounded by striking mountain ranges. The population is still widely involved in agriculture and dairy farming. The water buffalo are a speciality here. Their milk is very rich, containing about twice as much protein and fat as cow's milk, whereas the cholesterol content of buffalo meat is half that of beef. Both are consumed here without long transport routes.
The Schrattenfluh, a mountain range of about six kilometres, is now located directly in front of you. On the other side you can see the extensive, mostly vegetation-free karst fields of the Schratten limestone. The numerous caves and furrows are the result of erosion processes, since the rain immediately seeps into the subsoil through the porous rock ledges. A short time later, you reach Pfyffer at 1316 m.a. s. l. From here and up to Wachthubel, the Napfbergland border trail uses the same route as the Trans Swiss Trail. Now the Hohgant, also known as the crown of the Emmental, emerges into view. After a gentle up and down hike, the highest point of the stage is reached an hour later at 1414 m.a. s. l.. The Wachthubel with its breathtaking panoramic view invites you to take a longer break.
Now follows the approximately one-hour descent to Schangnau, the destination of the hike. The village is located at the top of the Emmental on the border to the Bernese Oberland, surrounded by striking mountain ranges. The population is still widely involved in agriculture and dairy farming. The water buffalo are a speciality here. Their milk is very rich, containing about twice as much protein and fat as cow's milk, whereas the cholesterol content of buffalo meat is half that of beef. Both are consumed here without long transport routes.
Ridge walk on the west flank of the Pfyffer. Breathtaking views from the Wachthubel of Schrattenflue and Hohgant, foothill bastions of the Alps. Black buffalos are seen on the decent - the reason Schangnau is famous for its mozzarella.
Eggiwil is located in the upper part of the Emmental valley. Typical Emmental inns characterise the village. The hiking trail follows the Emme for the first few minutes, then leaves the course of the river at Untere Brach. Climbing uphill on paths and a paved road, you reach Ober Steinboden after an ascent of 400 metres, followed by Hinder Rämisgumme. The small farm is situated on the border of the Unesco Biosphere Entlebuch. The "Wild West of Lucerne" is known for its alpine pastures, untouched moorland, the wildly rugged Schrattenfluh or the Brienzer Rothorn, which is probably one of the most beautiful vantage points in Switzerland.
The Schrattenfluh, a mountain range of about six kilometres, is now located directly in front of you. On the other side you can see the extensive, mostly vegetation-free karst fields of the Schratten limestone. The numerous caves and furrows are the result of erosion processes, since the rain immediately seeps into the subsoil through the porous rock ledges. A short time later, you reach Pfyffer at 1316 m.a. s. l. From here and up to Wachthubel, the Napfbergland border trail uses the same route as the Trans Swiss Trail. Now the Hohgant, also known as the crown of the Emmental, emerges into view. After a gentle up and down hike, the highest point of the stage is reached an hour later at 1414 m.a. s. l.. The Wachthubel with its breathtaking panoramic view invites you to take a longer break.
Now follows the approximately one-hour descent to Schangnau, the destination of the hike. The village is located at the top of the Emmental on the border to the Bernese Oberland, surrounded by striking mountain ranges. The population is still widely involved in agriculture and dairy farming. The water buffalo are a speciality here. Their milk is very rich, containing about twice as much protein and fat as cow's milk, whereas the cholesterol content of buffalo meat is half that of beef. Both are consumed here without long transport routes.
The Schrattenfluh, a mountain range of about six kilometres, is now located directly in front of you. On the other side you can see the extensive, mostly vegetation-free karst fields of the Schratten limestone. The numerous caves and furrows are the result of erosion processes, since the rain immediately seeps into the subsoil through the porous rock ledges. A short time later, you reach Pfyffer at 1316 m.a. s. l. From here and up to Wachthubel, the Napfbergland border trail uses the same route as the Trans Swiss Trail. Now the Hohgant, also known as the crown of the Emmental, emerges into view. After a gentle up and down hike, the highest point of the stage is reached an hour later at 1414 m.a. s. l.. The Wachthubel with its breathtaking panoramic view invites you to take a longer break.
Now follows the approximately one-hour descent to Schangnau, the destination of the hike. The village is located at the top of the Emmental on the border to the Bernese Oberland, surrounded by striking mountain ranges. The population is still widely involved in agriculture and dairy farming. The water buffalo are a speciality here. Their milk is very rich, containing about twice as much protein and fat as cow's milk, whereas the cholesterol content of buffalo meat is half that of beef. Both are consumed here without long transport routes.
Length
13 km
Ascent | Descent
800 m | 600 m
Hiking time
4 h 20 min
Grade | Fitness level
easy
(hiking trail)
|
medium
Arrival | return travel
Hints
Arrival | return travel
Contact
Signpost management
Signposting is managed by the cantonal hiking trail organisation on behalf of the canton.
Berner Wanderwege
Nordring 8
1303 Bern
info@bernerwanderwege.ch
www.bernerwanderwege.ch