Mittelländer Hügelroute
Overview
-
-
Distance 70 km
-
Ascent 680 m
Intro
From Thun into Kiesental, a wide panorama in Gysenstein, rolling hills give way to knolls and gullies in Emmental, a picture-book landscape, large farmsteads sit comfortably on good land forcing poorer fellows on to the Schattenseiten.
Description
With its late-medieval old town, impressive castle, embankment promenade and views of the Bernese alps, Thun makes for a spectacular backdrop. Leaving the city, you head through residential areas to neighbouring Heimberg, the lowest-lying commune in the Aare Valley, which is part of the Bernese Oberland. The journey starts slightly uphill through the lovely Kiesental valley to Oberdiessbach and Konolfingen. Stately farmhouses and blooming poppies characterise the gentle hilly landscape, and pick-your-own strawberries make it sweeter. As if out of nowhere, huge stones appear next to modern residential buildings in Konolfingen. These are volcanic basalt stones here, which are approximately 20 million years old, from the estate of the Eriswil artist Franz Eggenschwiler. They come from the German Eifel Mountains and seem to be rooted immovably in the soil of the basalt garden.
Did the writer Friedrich Dürrenmatt also have his roots here? After all, the «Emmental Literature trail» was opened in his honour in 2008. You find out here that Dürrenmatt was born on 5 January 1921 in Stalden and grew up in the Konolfingen rectory. You can enjoy a stunning view of the Aare Valley and the Alpine chain at Wyl Castle. The castle acquired its main tower, which is visible from afar, in the first half of the 13th century. In Biglen, the rolling hills seem to give way to the defiant ditches, harrows and ridges of the Emmental. Gotthelf country!
From 1860 onwards, systematic sewerage and drainage was introduced in Moos near Walkringen. This is how peat was produced, which was sold to Burgdorf and Bern. Sensory perceptions await you in the Rüttihubelbad Sensorium. It is particularly worth visiting with children. Going through the Bigletal valley, you alternate between the sunny and shady sides. Just as in life. It is a superb journey from Rüegsauschachen along the Emme to Burgdorf. The castle from the 11th century which you see there has withstood the test of time and now houses a youth hostel.
Riding along the Emme and Gysnauflüen you reach the Wynigen Bridge, and go past the Bartholomäus Chapel and the «Siechenhaus», a former leprosy house. It served as a care centre for lepers until the 17th century. After a section on main roads, you can enjoy idling in nature even more. The journey takes you on a leisurely and somewhat unspectacular route along the Önz to the Herzogenbuchsee lake. Except perhaps in spring: when birch, apple and pear trees bloom, rapeseed fields thrive in yellow splendour, and pollen stings your eyes. They are with you as you travel through the gently undulating landscape to Langenthal via the Schoren district.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Thun
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Langenthal
|
| Ascent |
680 m
|
| Descent |
780 m
|
| Distance |
70 km
|
| Distance on tarred ways |
61 km
|
| Distance on natural surface |
9 km
|
| Physical requirements |
Difficult
|
Quick Facts
Route number
