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Home , Amsoldingen, Belp, Eriswil, Huttwil, Kehrsatz, Kleine Emme

Various ways of St. James (with brochures available in PDF- On the Way of St. James format) in A -Constance - Einsiedeln („Way of Svabia“) B - Rorschach - Einsiedeln („Way of St. Gallen“) C - Einsiedeln-Flüeli-Ranft - Brünig („Way of “) D - Brünig- („Way of the “) E - Amsoldingen-Romont („Way of Berne/Friboug“) F - Romont--Genève („Way of Western Swizterland“) G - -Rüeggisberg- („Lucerne Way“) H - Rankweil - Einsiedeln („Vorarlberg- Way“) K - -Tobel („Monasgtery way)

Contact address: Verein Jakobsweg.ch Postfach 151, CH-3700 Tel 0041 (0)33 655 04 00 Mail: [email protected] Accomodation see: www.jakobsweg.ch

Important pointer

Helpers and association members walked the route themselves to inspect it. As volunteers, they edited the brief route descriptions based on the state as encountered. The accuracy of the contents and specially the correspondence with the official Way of St. James way-posting cannot be guaranteed by the association „jakobsweg.ch » and the authors, also in the sense of a product guarantee. Pilgrims are therefore asked to follow the official Way of St. James way-posts if discrepancies occur, and to notify us. (7) Lucerne-Rüeggisberg“

Many thanks. „„Way of Lucerne“ “

Texts : Winfried Erbach, Joe Weber and Klaus Augustiny (manuscript reader). Translated from German by Hans Bamert Pictures: Wolfgang Hörer / Winfried Erbach, and several others Itinerary and directions for pilgrims Copyright: Verein „jakobsweg.ch“

©Copyright Verein „jakobsweg.ch,Spiez (Berner Oberland) Signalisation - Via Jacobi Lucerne-Rüeggisberg -

Signalisation - Via Jacobi Lucerne route - Lucerne-Rüeggisberg 120 km, walking time around 33 hours

Sign in the direction of Pilgrims who use the Lucerne Route start from the lake of Lucerne and travel National Way of St-James No. 4 - Via Jacobi through Lucerne’s catholic hinterland and the reformed to the Gan- trisch region in the canton of . The route from Lucerne via , and Burgdorf to Rüeggisberg leads through a hilly landscape with pastureland and green fields cultivated by hardworking farmers. The small villages and towns along the route bear witness to a solid prosperity gained through hard and honest work by skilled and reliable business and trades-people. The trim villages, the wooden farmhouses with the broad roofs and the flower-decorated windows, but also the famous “Stöckli”( the small house beside the farmhouse, for the retired farmer after the farm has been transferred to a descendant); they all are Signpost - Via Jacobi sign reminiscent of old times as described in the narratives of the Swiss writer Jeremias on yellow background Gotthelf. Many a cosy inn lies beside the road and invites pilgrims to make a stop. Via Jacobi - shell shows in the Via Jacobi - shell shows in the The “Willisauer Ringli” (a hard pastry deemed fit as provisions for the road) and the left directon right direction “world-famous” golden-brown “Bauernrösti” (fried potatoes) and the meringues from the Emmental are a very popular and nourishing pilgrim’s food.

Pilgrim stations, pilgrim’s way-posts, and the stone ritual

On the Lucerne Route of the Way of St. James, we come across some pilgrim stations, pilgrim’s way-posts and instructions for the stone ritual, mounted over 10 years ago in the course of Returning way a project for the promotion of the Way of St. James. Regretfully, some of them have been Via Jacobi - french sign Via Jacobi Nr. 44 damaged or removed by vandals. In our route Shell shows in the left direction shell shows in the right direction description, we point to those that still exist.

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Section - Werthenstein - Willisau Lucerne - Werthenstein 21 km, walking time 5 hrs 45 min Luzern – Willisau (Lucerne – Obernau/Brunnhöf/ stop 6.5 km, around 1 hr 35 min)

For pilgrims starting in Brunnen: By boat from Brunnen to Lucerne takes about 2 hours. A s train ride is 45 minutes. us Re Willisau On the Bahnhofstrasse westwards along the river Reu- ss, we pass the “Kapellbrücke” (chapel bridge) with the Buholz Burgdorf Geiss Luzern/Lucerne water tower, the landmark of Lucerne. Built around Berthoud Blatten 1300 as part of the town fortification, it is ’s Werthenstein oldest surviving wood-bridge. The pictures below the

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Kriens e roof were painted in 1614. Many of them were destro-

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n yed by fire some years ago. Some distance downriver,

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B the Rathaussteg (town hall ) turns off to the right into the old with its painted guild-houses. Above the is the 870m long Musegg wall with Lucerne -“Kapellbrücke“ its imposing towers, erected as town wall around 1400. After the Kapellbrücke and the Rathaussteg we come to the baroque Jesuit church, built 1666-77, certainly worth a visit. We turn off to the left and come to the former Franciscan church, built 1270-80. The sumptu- ously decorated nave is also worth a visit. In the ve- stibule near the left-hand side entrance, a powerful and elegant group of figures in stucco can be seen. It represents the small Jacob as a child, with his brot- View from Dattenberg her John (the Evangelist). The well-marked Way of St James turns now off in a south-western direction and leads along the Klosterstrasse past the buildings of the cantonal administration, and past the railway tunnel to the Bruchmatt- strasse. We follow this street, pass the vocational school and turn off, at first to the left to the Berglistrasse, and afterwards to the right onto the Gigeliweg which leads to the southern rim of the Gigeli wood. We follow the wood but a short way and take a south-western direction through residential quarters of Dat- tenberg. The route passes the “Chupferhammer-Feld” down to Topographic maps of the section: the “Luzerner Hauptstrasse” in . We follow it some 300m Scale 1:25‘000: numbers 1129, 1149 and 1150 and turn off to the left to follow the Fenkernstrasse. Now we Scale 1:50‘000 numbers 234 and 235 head for Obernau, past the town centre of Kriens with its parish Obernau way church. Taking to the left and proceeding in a south-western direction on footpaths and town quarter streets (past the town-

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part “Hackerain”) to the of Geissrüti. Now along the slo- the way we come by the “Gnadenbrünneli”, a shrine pes of the “Schlossberg”, below the wood to the village quarter in a grotto to our right. We cross the river on a wood- “Brunnhöf” at the southern rim of Obernau. The bus line from bridge and, heading north-west, come to the railway Lucerne ends here. Pilgrims wishing to avoid walking through station. the city of Lucerne can ride the bus and start the pilgrimage stage from here. We start (or continue) westwards, and a hiking Werthenstein - Willisau trail takes us along the edge of the wood. Behind the hamlet 14.6 km, walking time around 3 hrs 50 min. of Rodel, the path joins the Obernaustrasse, on which we go back a short stretch in the direction we came, then we turn The route takes us over meadows, interspersed with off left into the Schachenwald wood. Through the wood, we „Gnadenbrünneli“ fruit trees. We walk partly on a quiet road, partly on follow the course of the brook Ränggbach northwards to the shortcuts past the hamlets of Rain, Wiprächtige and clearing Steibruchhof. Still along the Ränggbach, we come to Grofehuse until up to the Bielmüli. Here we descend on the right to the Bilbach (brook), Parish church in Kriens the footbridge of the hiking trail. We cross the brook and climb which we cross. After also crossing the road to , we walk on the opposite side the steep wooded bank of the “Ränggbachgraben” (trench). The northwards along the slopes of the hills, passing the hamlets of Büel (pilgrim waypost with path, secured by railings and wooden planks takes us past rock the symbol “being silent”) and Chriesbaumen to the village of Buholz. On the way, we also walls, waterfalls and small resting places. Solid footwear is re- come by the “Landsgerichtskapelle”, the chapel where until 1798 the criminal court was commended. Above the Ränggloch gorge, the path continues held. At the entrance of Buholz stands the baroque chapel St. Gallus and Erasmus with its through the wood, turns westwards and leads down to the even beautiful frescoes, and a few hundred metres above the village is the historical place of valley bottom. During the descent over sloping meadows, we execution. We leave Buholz westwards, pass the small “Armesünderchäppeli” (chapel of pass by the “Charehus” where we turn to the right, cross the Lu- the poor sinners) and on the right, climb over fields zernerstrasse and join a field road leading us past the farmstead up to the “Galgeberg” wood, steeped in legends. We “Unter Säntimatt” to a small canal in the plain. Here, we turn off traverse it in a northern direction, thereby enjoying to the left and, skirting the village of Blatten on its eastern side, a good view to the Soppen lake. We leave the wood we come to the baroque St. Jost chapel. Now across the field in and proceed north-westwards along the slopes of a northern direction, crossing the railway line, we come to the the hills until we come to the road leading to Geiss, Blatten-St. Jost river Kleine , and further to the west, to the bridge “Blat- and on which we reach that village. Its parish church terbrugg”. Following the path of the southern shore westwards, St. Jakobus with the beautiful altars in the late-roco- we come to Werthenstein. After the violent tempests of the year co style is worth seeing. In the side-altars, we see on 2006 when big parts of the riverbanks were torn away, restora- the left the Madonna, and on the right Saint James. Büel way tion works are now in progress. Bar a few exceptions, the shore- The stately country inn “Ochsen” is opposite the path leads mostly over meadows or through small woods near church. We leave Geiss near the St. James fountain the river. It passes on their northern side the villages of Malters and follow the road to Elswil. We remain on the road (with the St. Martin church), Ennigen and Schachen (where it and proceed westwards through the hilly landscape crosses the Rümlig brook), crosses several roads and also the until we turn off to the right onto a field road leading railway line near the “Schofgrabe”. Shortly before Werthenstein, to “Studeweid” (with small chapel) below a conspicu- the river valley becomes narrower. After a bend, we can see, ous hill. We cross the main road here and continue above a rock ledge, the monastery “Our Blessed Lady” to which northwards along the chain of hills past the hamlet we are now directing our steps. The monastery was founded of “Badhuet” (with the pilgrim waypost “On the Way following a wondrous light phenomenon around 1500, and as of St James” to the houses of Schwand. Keeping to Emme river with church a regional place of pilgrimage had its heyday in the 17th and the left, we skirt the Schwandberg and come to Hin- Buholz Lakeof Soppen 18th centuries. Its spring-water is known for its healing power far around. We leave the in- derwald at the southern rim of the Ostergau plain. Down to the left, on the plain, we teresting monastery church and descend on the access road down to the . On see the big ponds of a fish-breeding farm. After the houses, we turn off to the right and,

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Section Willisau - Huttwil - Burgdorf heading westwards along the edge of the wood, we come to the rivulet near Ischlagmatt. Here, we turn off to the right onto a footpath leading us across the plain and the small river Seewag to the Willisau road in the village-part Ostergau. We follow the road and after a short stretch, we turn off to the left to a shore- path on which, crossing the Seewag, we come in a north-western direction past the former LEGO facto- ry and through an industrial quarter to a road bifur- Parish church of Geiss cation shortly before the roundabout at the eastern edge of the town of Willisau. Across the roundabout and crossing also the railway line, we come past the station and through the “Untertor” (lower gate) into the old part of Willisau. This town with its historical fountains was destroyed by fire four times, the last time in 1704. The pastry “Willisauer Ringli” is word- famous. The catholic parish church St. Peter and Paul stands on a rise at the end of the main lane, on the left-hand side. Willisau

Willisau „Müligasse“ with church

Topographic maps of the section: Scale 1:25‘000: numbers 1128, 1129, 1147 and 1148 Scale 1:50‘000 numbers 233 and 234

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Willisau - Huttwil We leave behind, starting at the village cen- 15.5 km, walking time around 4 hours tre, and southwards over sloping meadows, we come down into the wooded trench of the Cholerloch We leave the old part of the town in a western direction brook. On the opposite side, we climb up the slope through the “Obertor” (upper gate), built in 1551. Behind the westwards and continue along the edge of the wood. town gate, and to the right, stands the baroque pilgrim cha- Near the end of the wood, we turn off to the left, con- pel Holy Blood, built 1675, with a beautifully painted wooden tinue southwards past the farm “Neuhof” and come ceiling, and wall paintings depicting the legend of the wild, to the road. At the wood’s edge, we come to another blasphemous card players. The route turns right and leads pilgrim station, dedicated to the theme “Money”, a upwards in a northern direction past the cemetery and then theme of interest also for pilgrims. We cross the road Huttwil past an animal park to the wooden cross on the hill “Gütsch”. and through a small wood, and along the sloping me- Here, we enjoy a beautiful outlook over Willisau and the Pila- adows, we come into the Chammerewald (wood). We tus mountain. We go westwards to the edge of the wood and cross it near the northern edge and, before we come to soon turn off into the wood “Willbrigwald” which we traverse the end of the wood, we turn off to the right to Hutt- in a north-western direction. After an intersection of paths and wil-Rütistalde. Proceeding westwards and over the ri- Willisau chapel a resting place in the wood, our slightly rising path turns west ver Langete, we come to the road, cross it and and comes to open pastureland. After the farmstead Schwarz- take the cemetery path parallel to it into the centre of wald and then after a bend, we come to the hamlet of Olisrüti. Here, we climb the hill in a the small town and the main road of Huttwil. The re- western direction until we come to the rim of the wood Howald. We follow the edge until formed town church is noteworthy, also the beautiful we come to the summit of the wood, skirt it until we turn off westwards. We cross the field market fountain and the “Mohren”, an important road and come to the farmstead “Im Bärnet”. Along the way near the farm “Ankerain”, we pilgrim hostel since the 13th century. „Fiechten way“ come to the pilgrim station “Power and Powerless- ness” that unfortunately was damaged by vandals, Huttwil - Burgdorf something that today might well relate to the theme 23,5 km, walking time about 6 hours 30 minutes. of that station. We direct our steps southwards to the farm “Hegihof”, and from here on the main road in the We traverse Huttwil on the main road and after the railway station on the south side of the direction of Zell until, below the edge of the wood at hospital, we turn off onto a lane that brings us to the town-part “Fiechte”. We turn off to the the southern rim of the “Zäller Allmend” (commons), right, cross the Rotbach (brook) and shortly after, on an access road in a south-western di- we turn off to the left onto a field path on which we rection, we climb the slopes of the Fiechtenberg until, near the big bend, we turn off to the pass the hamlet of Buechwald and through a small left onto a hiking trail leading along the edge of the wood we come down to the river . Crossing Framhouse Ölisrüti wood into the “Rothaule-Wald” (wood). At the wood’s the bridge there, we come to the houses of “Vorder edge, we come to a stone ritual. We cross the complete- Schache”. We turn off to the right and proceed on the ly wooded range of hills and, heading southwards, Huttwil road past “Stosschäppeli” to the road bifur- come to a clearing and to the edge of the “Chaltenegg” cation Stoss. Here, we turn off sharply left, cross the wood. We follow the edge of the wood in a southern brook Warmisbach and follow its course on an access direction (above the hamlet of Oberi Rotmatt), and af- road until we come to the cut-off at the wood’s edge ter a small wood and over open pastureland, we come where we climb on a field road at the right up the to the hamlet of Chaltenegg. Turning off to the right, slope to Ufhusen, the mountain village on the hill- we go up the incline to reach a rise. On a field road Parish church of Dürrenroth crest, with its parish church St John and Catherine, southwards, along the sloping meadows and past the built 1780. On the gallery below the organ is a picture hamlet of Chnubel, we descend to Dürrenroth. After crossing the main road, we come to showing the Madonna with the Good Counsel. Parish church of Ufhusen

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the railway station. At the village square with the two the farm “Gärstler”. Here, the road turns northwards beautifully renovated inns, there is also the St. Mary and presently, on a forest road that turns off to the church in a park-like compound. It was reconstructed left, we come back to the Lueg road and to Kaltacker. in 1768, giving it a hall structure in late-baroque style. The staff of the stately inn “Zum Hirschen” waits here Passing the park, we come to the street that takes us on hungry pilgrims. At the road bifurcation soon af- westwards to the hamlet of Gärbihof. After a few nice ter the last houses, we leave the road turning off to old houses, the path branches off to the left into the the left to the access road to Egg that climbs up in Rotwald (wood). At the wood’s edge, we come to the a south-western direction past the schoolhouse and pilgrim station “Life in the Region of ”. along the edge of the wood to the hill Egg. From Egg Lueg-way We traverse the northern part of the wood in a south- Castle hill of Burgdorf we proceed along the wooded crest of the hill, pas- western direction and come to the access road that sing the hamlet of Sandgruebe on its southern side, brings us to the hamlet of Unter Waltrige. On the way, to the edge of the wood. Through the wood and we meet the pilgrim symbol “to hear”. We follow the along the edge of the wood, we come to “Waldecke” field road southwards and, along the slope of the hill, from where the route leads down the steep slopes we come into the wood above Häusernmoos. At the of the “Lauehölzli-Wald” into the valley of the river road bifurcation in the wood, we turn off sharply right Emme. Thereby we pass through a gorge-like hollow to Häusernmoos, cross the Rotbach (brook) and the way conveying a mystic sense, by name of “Leuen- railway line and come to the crossroads where we turn hohle”. On the high sandstone walls, there are tra- off towards the left to Herbrig. On the wall of a barn, ces of engraved names and symbols. In the nearby we find the next pilgrim symbol “to pray”. In Herbrig country inn “Summerhus”, a fortifying meal awaits us. View from „Lueg“ Burgdorf Kronen square (its name possibly derived from Herberge) begins the We leave the inn and proceeding along the wood’s ascent to the lookout point Lueg. The continuously edge, we come to the former “Siechenhaus” (hospital ascending route leads over roads and footpaths, over for incurables) with the St. Bartholomew chapel (clo- pastureland, through small woods and also through a sed), both from the second half of the 15th century. wooded ravine up to the mountain meadows below Already we can see the houses and towers of Burg- the Luegwald (wood). During the ascent, we cross a dorf. Using the road, we come to the river Emme at few access roads and also pass the hamlets of Juch and the foot of the “Gisnauflüe” (rock-wall). We cross the Junkholz. The last metres are gained on a steep field Emme on the covered wooden bridge. Due road to the vantage point (887m). Beside the military south-west, we come to the reformed parish church monument, we also find a resting place with barbecue. (built 1471-90). The note-worthy house of God has Lueg-monumentl The panorama is overwhelming, from the Jura chain to Burgdorf - old city a rood screen from 1512, and choir stalls from 1647. the ranges of hills of the Emmental region, and from The rood screen, artfully hewn by stone-masons, forms the separating wall between choir the Bernese to the Gantrisch chain and to the Fri- and nave, and is considered the most beautiful in Switzerland. On the Burgberg rise to the bourg Alps. The hamlet of Heiligenland below the Lueg south-east of the church stands the well-fortified Zähringen castle from the late 12th cen- is idyllically lying on the hillside. Below the vantage tury. Apart from municipal offices, it also houses a museum. The Way of St. James leads point, the route leads over the summit of the pass and us through picturesque lanes of the old part of the town, between church and castle. We past the country inn “Lueg” (838m, with bus stop) and, see the fountain with the Justitia, citizens’ houses, guild houses and pergolas, as well as from the road, turns off to the left. We walk westwards the town hall, built in 1750. Leaving the old part of the town, we come to the Lower town down over mountain meadows and after a wood, we from where we continue on our way in a south-western direction. again come to the Lueg road. We leave it shortly af- ter and turn off left to a small access road that leads Hamlet Heiliegenland us via pastureland past the hamlet of Heimismatt to

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Section Burgdorf - Gümligen Burgdorf/Berthoud – Gümligen Burgdorf - Gümligen Willisau 23,6 km, walking time around 6 hrs 10 min. Burgdorf Through residential quarters of Burgdorf, we come to the station of Steinhof on the railway line Burg- Bern dorf – Langnau – . Using the underpass Berne Boll near the station, we come to the quarter Steinhof. We follow the little town quarter road and a field Gümligen road up to a meadow on a rise gradually becoming more level, from where we enjoy a beautiful outlook Dentenberg onto the town and the castle of Burgdorf. The route leads to the access road to Rothöchi, crosses it and Gansere -Weiler road A follows the edge of the wood. After 200m, it turns a r e off to the left into the Pleerwald (wood) and comes Rüeggisberg to a crossing where 7 roads and paths converge. A small resting place is also there. From here, we head southwards down to the Underbergetal. Past the farm “Gansere”, we come to the Oberburg road. We follow it a short stretch, then turn off to the right. Across a field, we come to the farmstead Mattenhof. Here, we follow at first the Zimmerberg road, and after only a short distance, we turn off to the left to Krauchthal road a field road leading along the slope of a hill to the hamlet of Schuepisse. Here, we turn off to the right and on the hiking trail, we climb in a western direc- tion up to Althus and from there on the access road to Zimmerberg higher up. During the ascent, we meet the pilgrim symbol “to let be”. We remain on the crest of the hill and proceed south-westwards across pastureland and along the edge of the wood to the Eybergwald (wood). We traverse it above the steep wooded slopes of the Chrouchtal (valley) until, near the hamlet of Bonziloch, we descend into the valley. Thorberg At the northern rim of the Chrüzflue (rock-wall), we come to the first houses and the main road of Krauchthal. We cross the village on the main road southwards, paying the reformed church (built 1794)a brief visit. At the village exit, we turn off to the left onto the winding road that leads past the penal institution Topographic maps Thorberg to the hamlet of Schwändi 170m higher. The Thorberg, sitting on top of the hill, Scale 1:25‘000: numbers 1147 1166 und 1167 today is a prison. It goes back to pre- times when it was founded as a mona- Sclae 1:50‘000: numbers 233 und 243 stery dedicated to Saint Pauline. With a view of the prison, we think of the people behind bars and ask ourselves what being imprisoned means to them.

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From Schwändi , the ridge-way rises continually Section Gümligen - Rüeggisberg and turns into a south-western direction and leads through the Äbnitwald to the farm Tannebode. Now Gümligen – Rüeggisberg along the edge of the wood southwards past the farm Sunnrain and through the Utzigewull wood. Burgdorf Kehrsatz From the southern end of the wood over open pa- Gümligen stureland along the Allmit ridge to the hamlet of Hu- bel. We enjoy here the wonderful view over the city Kühlewil A a of Bern until the Bernese High Alps. At Hubel, the r e Utzigen-Vorderwull relatively steep descent begins down to Utzigen. At the castle of Utzigen, built 1669 (with park and café open to the public), we can take a rest. There is also a bus stop there. In the village centre near the cross- Rüeggisberg roads, there stands, as it did already in former pilgri- mage times, the inn “Zum durstigen Bruder” (thirsty brother). Past the castle (now a boarding and nursing Schwarzenburg Amsoldingen home), the route takes us over meadows and fields to the farm “Weier” (with the pilgrim symbol “to be silent”), where it turns right, and to the wood’s edge. Along the sloping wood, we come down to Boll in the Pilgrim Signal - keep quiet“ Linden valley. We traverse Boll on the main road in a southern direction (with a brief side trip to the station) and at the western end of the village, we turn off to the left onto a village lane. Along the brook of the Lindental which we cross twice, and in a south-western direction across the brook Worble, we come to the farmstead Wiler. Now southwards through the wooded slopes up to the village of Den- tenberg. Here, a cosy inn awaits us. We follow the access road as far as the western village entry, take the shortcut over the meadow and return to the ac- cess road near the cheese dairy. We follow it south-westwards across pastureland to the Dentenberg forest. Still on the same road and, shortcutting a bend, we come to the wood’s edge near the war memorial on the southern side of the Gümligen- berg (hill above Gümligen). From the World-War memorial, we take a foot-path westwards along the edge of the wood to the first houses of Gümligen. We turn off southwards and through a residential quarter, we reach a crossroads with the village fountain and the reformed church of 1953. The pilgrim figure Topographic maps on the outer wall is impressive. After a visit to the church, the route takes us in an arc past the portal of the castle of Güm- Scale 1:25‘000: numbers1167, 1186 und 1187 Scale 1:50‘000 numbers 243 et 253 ligen, built 1735. Parih church of Gümligen

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Gümligen - Rüeggisberg ascending road that leads to Englisberg, then we turn 21,7 km, walking time around 5 hrs 30 min. off to the left to a shortcutting quarter lane that joins the Englisberg road again higher up. We use the road Going southwards, we cross the railway line Güm- for a short stretch only and turn off to the right onto a ligen – , follow the road in the direction of hiking trail on which we come, first through the wood Worb for a short stretch, and turning off, we take a and then over a sloping meadow and crossing the southern direction again. We come to the railway line trench of a brook, up to the old-age home Kühlewil. Bern – and later, turning off to the left, to the Past the home the route takes us southwards across motorway feeder and we cross both. At the edge of meadows to the hamlet of Kühlewil and further into the Hüenliwald (wood), we turn off to the right onto „Kühlewil“ the wood “Chüliwil” which we cross on a forest road a forest road that takes us in a south-western direc- southwards. Thereby we cross two access roads and tion through the wood, crossing the main road, and leave the wood not far from the farm Allmid. On a field to the motorway which we cross too. After the mo- road and still southwards, at first along the edge of Auguet-Bridge torway, we pass the park of a castle compound on its the wood and then over open pastureland, we come right-hand side, and, forming a wide bend, we come down to the hamlet of Obermuhlern. Here, our path through Halen, a part of the town of Muri, and come describes an arc to the left and going over the hill, we down to the river which we cross on the Auguet come to the road Kehrsatz – on which we bridge. proceed to Niedermuhlern. We keep to the road and The covered wooden bridge from 1835 was only traverse the village past the cheese dairy and the bus transplanted to this site in 1973 when the motorway stop until the village-part Holzmatt. The field road Leueberg was built. Walking along the wooded shore-strip, we takes us from here southwards past the farms Rieder- come in a north-western direction to the Giessehof. weid and Unders Ratteholz to the rim of the wood Shortly after, the path turns off to the left and co- Ratteholz. Here, we turn off to the left onto the forest Oecumenic center of Kehrsatz mes to the bridge across the Gürbe river, north of road that takes us in an arc up to the field road near the the airfield of . We cross the bridge in order to farmstead Buechweid. From here we have a gorgeous come over the plain of Belp to “Under-Selhofe” a part view to the hills of the Emmental, the Gürbe valley, the of the town of Belp. From here southwards through Bernese pre-Alps and four-thousanders, and the Gan- the town-part Ober-Selhofe past the schoolhouse trisch chain. On the road, we amble southwards to the and the modern church of the ecumenical centre hamlet of Gschneit where an inn awaits us. Here, the to Kehrsatz. We visit the ecumenical centre with the path crosses the road to Oberbütschel and, keeping church room and the Room of Silence, being used Monastery ruin in Rüeggisberg to the left, takes us to Leueberg. At the parking space by both creeds, reformed and catholic. By the way: Leueberg (bus stop), we climb up to the memorial and the lookout point. Under a group of the pilgrim coffee here is delicious. To the south-east trees giving shade, near the Tavel memorial, there is a resting place with panorama tables. of Kehrsatz and in a park is the country estate Lohn, Below us, the wide, green plain of the Gürbetal is spread out. In the background are the Landscape of Obermuhlern built 1780-83. It serves the Confederation for repre- mighty, glacier-covered mountain massifs of the Bernese Oberland. sentative purposes on occasion of state visits. On certain days of the year, the estate is We leave the memorial of the Bernese dialect writer Rudolf von Tavel, 1866 – 1934 and open to the public (for dates, please consult the Internet). In the centre of Kehrsatz stands continue southwards on field and forest roads through the pine forest. Shortly before the the Blumenhof, built 1580-90 and extended to a baroque country house 1745-52. Since southern exit of the wood, the route turns to the west, and across pastureland, we reach the 1990, the Blumehof has been the seat of the municipal administration. From the town hamlet of Mättiwil where we join the Way of St. James coming from the Bernese Oberland centre, we proceed southwards to the line of the railway through the Gürbetal and we and leading to and Romont. On the field road heading westwards, we reach our cross it on the northern side of the station. Further to the south, we cross the main road stage goal Rüeggisberg with its beautiful church and the impressive monastery ruin. Bern – Wabern – . At first, we proceed in a southern direction and follow the

20 - Brunnen/Lucerne - Rüeggisberg - jakobsweg.ch - Nr. 7 Nr. 7 - Brunnen/Lucerne- Rüeggisberg - jakobsweg.ch - 21 Section Rüeggisberg - Schwarzenburg Rüeggisberg - Schwarzenburg

Section Rüeggisberg - Schwarzenburg Rüeggisberg-Schwarzenburg

11 km, walking time around 2 hrs 30 min.

After the monastery, we turn westwards to the gate between two farmsteads. The former monastery way leads first along the edge, then through a wood, once across a street, then again through the wood down to Helgisried. From there we continue on a moun- tain and field path along the slope of the hill past the hamlets of “Schulhaus” and “Rohrbach” down to “Wis- lisau-Schwarzwasserbrücke” (bridge, and road bifur- cation). From here westwards, first along the wooded banks of the river Schwarzwasser to the “Lindenbach” Landscape of Rueggisberg wood-bridge where we climb up the steep banks, then on open fields past the farmstead “Granegg” up to Henzischwand. Further on, first northwards, then on a field path towards the west through the marsh- land to Elisried. Here, we turn left onto the paved road and later come to the main road which we cross near the inn “Schönentannen” . On the left side we take a field path ascending over a chain of hills to Schwar- zenburg. We walk through the place as far as the rail- way station. In the village centre, somewhat hidden, „Schwarzwasser“ is the reformed church Maria Magdalena. Its 17th cen- tury tower has a tapered diameter, giving it a peculiar aspect. The Schwarzenburg castle stands at the edge of the village. It was built in 1573-75 and housed the district administra- tion until 2010.

topographic map Scale 1:25‘000: number 1186

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