Legendary views from the Schallenberg

The Schallenberg Pass (1168 m above sea level) can not only be conquered by bike. The crossing from the Central Plateau and the Bernese Oberland to the upper Emmental can also be reached on foot on a varied route. The starting point is the post bus stop Süderen, Oberei. At first you follow the main road towards Schallenberg. A few hundred meters later, the path turns left at the Rambach. Then it goes right through meadows, up a field path to Alp Waldmatt and along the Schineggwald to the pass.

Stockhorn, Schibegütsch and Schratteflue

The hiking trail to the pass offers lots of nature and interesting witnesses of alpine farming. At the pass height, shortly before crossing the road, the legendary stone of Gabelspitz lies hidden in the grass, recognizable by the carved symbols and numbers. Once the boulder is found and examined, the Gabelspitz restaurant invites you to stop on the other side of the road. The path continues along the Gabelspitzalp over the elevation into Naters. From here you have a view over the Thun region, the Stockhorn chain and the Bernese high Alps. To the east lie the hills and ravines of the upper Emmental and Entlebuch, with Schibegütsch and Schratteflue in sight.

To the pass by post bus

Behind Naters the path goes downhill to the right into Breitmoos and to the Knubel. After the descent through the forest from Knubel, the ascent follows a little later to the elevation Rütenberg. After a last descent down to Heidbühl, the village of Eggiwil comes into view. A detour to the church from the year 1632 is worthwhile. At this place, the Rötebach also flows into the still young Emme. Those who want the hike an hour shorter can also reach the Schallenberg Pass by post bus from the end of April to the end of October. The offer of the Schallenberg line (Thun – Escholzmatt) is limited to weekends. £ More information at postauto.ch/schallenberg.

Text: Godi Huber