Emmental

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and Entlebuch valley to join the Reuss after a course of 58km/36mi. The Grosse Emme (Great Emme) rises on the Hohgant (2,197 m/7,208ft), north of Lake Brienz and flows through the Emmental to join the Aare east of Solthurn after a course of 80km/50mi. The Emmental is a region of gently rolling country with a long tradition of good farming with many farms having belonged to the same families for centuries. Although traditional values are deeply rooted, the farmers of the Emmental have been among the pioneers of modern agriculture in Switzerland. The farmhouses have a distinctive character - substantial and well-built, with arcades, an abundance of flowers and often elaborate carved decoration - as have the barns and the little houses for the grandparents, and the inns with the old traditional names, the "Bear" and the "Lion", the "Star" and the "Crown". The region offers endless walking opportunities off the beaten track.

The Emmental is the shortest route from Berne to Lake Lucerne. Road 10 runs from Berne to Langnau (30km/19mi) and from there via Wolhusen to Lucerne (92km/57mi).