2 Trans Swiss Trail
2 Trans Swiss Trail
2 Trans Swiss Trail
2 Trans Swiss Trail
2 Trans Swiss Trail
2 Trans Swiss Trail

Hiking

etappe-01509

Trans Swiss Trail

Stage 13, Langnau i.E.–Eggiwil

Route report
75 photos

WL_002_13_IMG_2783_R_F_M.jpg
etappe-01509

Trans Swiss Trail

High-level hike over the Hohwacht-Girsgrat chain of hills. Past a historic signal post, one of Switzerland’s oldest tunnels and a dairy producing guaranteed authentic Emmental cheese. Typical Emmental patchwork of hills, gullies, meadows and woodlands.
Langnau i.E. is located on the lower reaches of the river Ilfis, halfway between Bern and Lucerne. The core of the town is situated away from the river valley because of the danger of flooding. The name Langnau possibly derives from "Lange Au". Au means something like wet lowland, watercourse or island.

Starting at the railway station, you walk in a southerly direction. After crossing the Ilfis, the trail heads uphill to Vordere Hochwacht. Fields and woods alternate along the way. The view of the surrounding hills and the alpine chain in the background is simply splendid. From here, the mountain hiking trail leads over the Hochwacht range of hills to the Girsgrat ridge. You also cross the geographical centre of the Signau district.

By the time you reach the Hegenloch, you've already covered two and a half hours of ground. The tunnel was excavated by local farmers in 1839/1840. It is probably one of the oldest man-made tunnels in Switzerland. From Hinter Girsgrat, the hiking trail leads downhill to Eggiwil, where the rather short stage ends after a little more than three and a half hours. The village is located at the Emme in the Emmental valley and is a representative example of a pre-alpine scattered settlement in the upper catchment area of the Emme.
High-level hike over the Hohwacht-Girsgrat chain of hills. Past a historic signal post, one of Switzerland’s oldest tunnels and a dairy producing guaranteed authentic Emmental cheese. Typical Emmental patchwork of hills, gullies, meadows and woodlands.
Langnau i.E. is located on the lower reaches of the river Ilfis, halfway between Bern and Lucerne. The core of the town is situated away from the river valley because of the danger of flooding. The name Langnau possibly derives from "Lange Au". Au means something like wet lowland, watercourse or island.

Starting at the railway station, you walk in a southerly direction. After crossing the Ilfis, the trail heads uphill to Vordere Hochwacht. Fields and woods alternate along the way. The view of the surrounding hills and the alpine chain in the background is simply splendid. From here, the mountain hiking trail leads over the Hochwacht range of hills to the Girsgrat ridge. You also cross the geographical centre of the Signau district.

By the time you reach the Hegenloch, you've already covered two and a half hours of ground. The tunnel was excavated by local farmers in 1839/1840. It is probably one of the oldest man-made tunnels in Switzerland. From Hinter Girsgrat, the hiking trail leads downhill to Eggiwil, where the rather short stage ends after a little more than three and a half hours. The village is located at the Emme in the Emmental valley and is a representative example of a pre-alpine scattered settlement in the upper catchment area of the Emme.
12 km
580 m | 520 m
3 h 40 min
easy (hiking trail) | medium

Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Langnau
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

Hints

Guides
There is a guide available for this route in French and German.
More

Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Eggiwil, Dorf
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

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

Services

Accommodation

Hotel Emmental
Hotel Emmental
Langnau im Emmental
Hotel Hirschen
Hotel Hirschen
Langnau im Emmental
B&B Berghaus Eggiwil, Ruth und Hans Kern
B&B Berghaus Eggiwil, Ruth und Hans Kern
Eggiwil
Hirschen Eggiwil
Hirschen Eggiwil
Eggiwil
Show all

Bookable offers

2 Trans Swiss Trail: Emmental & Lake Lucerne
2 Trans Swiss Trail: Emmental & Lake Lucerne
Show all

Places

Langnau i. E.
Langnau i. E.
Eggiwil
Eggiwil
Show all

Signalization

Signalization
For hiking, follow the logo indicated on the yellow signposts. Take a printout of our web map on your hike for safety's sake.
Signalization