Herzschlaufe Burgdorf

The western loop starts in the middle of the old town of Burgdorf which has been preserved as a medieval gem. If you feel like it, you can pedal up to the castle, which requires considerable effort. The reward is a panoramic view and a coffee in the castle courtyard. Afterwards, the path descends into the undergrowth, through secluded woods and up to a crest on which you cycle along peacefully; on your left the alps, on your right the Jura chain with the spreading plains below. Hardly ever does a car appear, and the hamlet of Dieterswald seems almost like an island in the green sea of hills.

You continue to gain height along a romantic forest passage and cross the border into the municipality of Vechigen, which marks the entrance to the Bern region. Soon after, the city appears in the distance, garnished with a view of the Stockhorn and the Fribourg alps. The village of Utzigen welcomes you with its noble castle including a castle café and matching baroque gardens.

The trail returns to the Emmental valley while continuing to climb, culminating at Mänziwilegg. On clear days, the lakes of Biel and Neuchâtel are visible from here. The Emmental spreads out before you, decorated by the Bernese alps, a view which now lines the route for a longer time. You glide downhill again on little-known paths to meet the Emme river once more in Lützelflüh, which you follow in the direction of Burgdorf. For the last few kilometres between Oberburg and Burgdorf, you follow routes 24, 84 and 99, while the 899 from Lochbach is already heading towards its eastern loop.