Hiking

Alpine Panorama Trail
Stage 13, Wolhusen–Napf

rotate your device for slideshow
Alpine Panorama Trail
Stage 13, Wolhusen–Napf
Many paths lead to the Napf - but no roads! One of the most beautiful approaches to the summit is the scenic range of hills via Menzberg. The panorama of the Alpine chain, Mittelland and Jura from the Napf is one of the most magnificent in Switzerland.
Wolhusen, known for its Tropical House, is located near the UNESCO biosphere Entlebuch. What’s really peculiar about the town is that it belongs to two different municipalities. The area on the right bank of the Kleine Emme is part of Werthenstein. The trail follows the river on the north side, out of today’s town of Wolhusen. The path up to Steinhuserberg is relatively steep. As you pass lush green meadows and some scattered farms, you will see Menzberg from far away. It is the highest village on Napf Mountain and a former climatic health resort. From the mountain village in Lucerne’s backcountry you have a fantastic panoramic view over the lovely hills of the Emmental region. Solitary old trees towering on many of these hills make a particularly inspiring picture.
Menzberg with its distinguished church is located approximately halfway through today’s stage. Soon after you reach the forest preserve. The natural, barely used forests provide an important refuge for rare plants and animals. After the Chrothütte hut, the hike becomes challenging again: The ascent through Chrachegrabe to Hapfigchnubel is exhausting. Luckily, the trees keep you in the shade and offer some cooling. The route continues mostly on wide country lanes and forest roads, but it rises steadily via Stächelegg up to Napf Mountain at 1408 m, the end of today’s walk.
On the highest observation point between the Emmental and Entlebuch valleys you have an unobstructed panoramic view of the backcountry of Lucerne, the Emmental and the Mittelland region. At night you can see the lights twinkling from Jungfraujoch, Stockhorn and Weissenstein on the front range of the Jura Mountains. Napf Mountain consists primarily of conglomerate rock. A valuable consequence is the Napf gold. The region is still the centre for nugget gold. Panning for gold in the streams of the Napf is an experience offered by a variety of organisers.
Menzberg with its distinguished church is located approximately halfway through today’s stage. Soon after you reach the forest preserve. The natural, barely used forests provide an important refuge for rare plants and animals. After the Chrothütte hut, the hike becomes challenging again: The ascent through Chrachegrabe to Hapfigchnubel is exhausting. Luckily, the trees keep you in the shade and offer some cooling. The route continues mostly on wide country lanes and forest roads, but it rises steadily via Stächelegg up to Napf Mountain at 1408 m, the end of today’s walk.
On the highest observation point between the Emmental and Entlebuch valleys you have an unobstructed panoramic view of the backcountry of Lucerne, the Emmental and the Mittelland region. At night you can see the lights twinkling from Jungfraujoch, Stockhorn and Weissenstein on the front range of the Jura Mountains. Napf Mountain consists primarily of conglomerate rock. A valuable consequence is the Napf gold. The region is still the centre for nugget gold. Panning for gold in the streams of the Napf is an experience offered by a variety of organisers.
Many paths lead to the Napf - but no roads! One of the most beautiful approaches to the summit is the scenic range of hills via Menzberg. The panorama of the Alpine chain, Mittelland and Jura from the Napf is one of the most magnificent in Switzerland.
Wolhusen, known for its Tropical House, is located near the UNESCO biosphere Entlebuch. What’s really peculiar about the town is that it belongs to two different municipalities. The area on the right bank of the Kleine Emme is part of Werthenstein. The trail follows the river on the north side, out of today’s town of Wolhusen. The path up to Steinhuserberg is relatively steep. As you pass lush green meadows and some scattered farms, you will see Menzberg from far away. It is the highest village on Napf Mountain and a former climatic health resort. From the mountain village in Lucerne’s backcountry you have a fantastic panoramic view over the lovely hills of the Emmental region. Solitary old trees towering on many of these hills make a particularly inspiring picture.
Menzberg with its distinguished church is located approximately halfway through today’s stage. Soon after you reach the forest preserve. The natural, barely used forests provide an important refuge for rare plants and animals. After the Chrothütte hut, the hike becomes challenging again: The ascent through Chrachegrabe to Hapfigchnubel is exhausting. Luckily, the trees keep you in the shade and offer some cooling. The route continues mostly on wide country lanes and forest roads, but it rises steadily via Stächelegg up to Napf Mountain at 1408 m, the end of today’s walk.
On the highest observation point between the Emmental and Entlebuch valleys you have an unobstructed panoramic view of the backcountry of Lucerne, the Emmental and the Mittelland region. At night you can see the lights twinkling from Jungfraujoch, Stockhorn and Weissenstein on the front range of the Jura Mountains. Napf Mountain consists primarily of conglomerate rock. A valuable consequence is the Napf gold. The region is still the centre for nugget gold. Panning for gold in the streams of the Napf is an experience offered by a variety of organisers.
Menzberg with its distinguished church is located approximately halfway through today’s stage. Soon after you reach the forest preserve. The natural, barely used forests provide an important refuge for rare plants and animals. After the Chrothütte hut, the hike becomes challenging again: The ascent through Chrachegrabe to Hapfigchnubel is exhausting. Luckily, the trees keep you in the shade and offer some cooling. The route continues mostly on wide country lanes and forest roads, but it rises steadily via Stächelegg up to Napf Mountain at 1408 m, the end of today’s walk.
On the highest observation point between the Emmental and Entlebuch valleys you have an unobstructed panoramic view of the backcountry of Lucerne, the Emmental and the Mittelland region. At night you can see the lights twinkling from Jungfraujoch, Stockhorn and Weissenstein on the front range of the Jura Mountains. Napf Mountain consists primarily of conglomerate rock. A valuable consequence is the Napf gold. The region is still the centre for nugget gold. Panning for gold in the streams of the Napf is an experience offered by a variety of organisers.
Length
17 km
Ascent | Descent
1150 m | 300 m
Hiking time
5 h 30 min
Grade | Fitness level
easy
(hiking trail)
|
difficult
Arrival | return travel
More …
Saving metres in altitude
There is a bus between Wolhusen and Menzberg, Dorfplatz that saves about 500 metres in altitude.
Contact
Signpost management
Signposting is managed by the cantonal hiking trail organisation on behalf of the communities.
Luzerner Wanderwege
Hirschmattstrasse 36
6003 Luzern
info@luzerner-wanderwege.ch
www.luzerner-wanderwege.ch