Entlebuch Valley Attractions

The quickest route between Lucerne and Berne by either road or rail (92km/57mi) is through the valleys of Entlebuch and Emmental. The region drained by the Great and Little Emme extends from the Brienzer Rothorn to the Napf: a land of many legends, it has preserved much of its traditional character, but what was once the home of woodcutters and charcoal-burners is now a favorite holiday area. From the borders of the cantons of Lucerne and Berne in the Emmental low passes lead through the hills to Lake Thun and Obwalden.

From Lucerne the road follows the Kleine Emme (Little Emme) by way of Emmenbrücke and the old market village of Malters to Wolhusen (20km/12mi), the gateway to the Entlebuch valley.

Entlebuch, Switzerland

The picturesque village of Entlebuch (alt. 684 m/2,244ft; pop. 3,500) lies above the Entlen, a torrential stream which flows into the Kleine Emme here. It has a parish church founded about 900 with an elegant Roccoco interior and a tower of the 13th-14th C.

Schupfheim, Switzerland

Schüpfheim (alt. 719 m/2,359ft; pop. 3,800) is the chief town in the district of Entlebuch, with an eventful history as the place of execution of the Governor of Wolhusen. It is the starting-point of the panoramic road which runs via Flühli (883 m/2,897ft; pop. 1,500), the principal commune in the Mariental, which also includes the holiday resort of Sörenberg, on the road to Giswil (1,159 m/3,803ft; ski-lifts). From Sörenberg there is a cableway up the Brienzer Rothorn (length 2,740 m/8,990ft, height difference 1,040 m/3,412ft, time eight minutes); and access to other walking and skiing areas is provided by a chair lift from the Eisee to the Rothorn (length 1,061 m/3,481ft, height difference 298 m/978ft, time 11 minutes) and a cableway to the Rossweid (length 1,457 m/4,780ft, height difference 305 m/1,001ft, time eight minutes). Escholzmatt (853 m/2,798ft) marks the watershed between the Entlebuch valley and the Emmental.

Marbach, Switzerland

In Marbach (871 m/2,858ft; pop. 1,300) there is a cableway to the Marbachegg (1,470 m/4,823ft), with extensive views of the Bernese Alps.