"Merängge-Cher" on the young Emme

The circular hike begins at the final stop of the Escholzmatt-Kemmeriboden bus line. After briefly following the road downstream, you turn right onto a footpath. On the adventure trail «Kemmeriboden Bank Secret» you learn anecdotes about Kemmeriboden and Schangnau. After a section with a hard surface, the sculpture trail connects on the left. Figures made of wood and other materials can be admired. The Emme usually babbles peacefully, but mighty boulders clearly show the power the water can develop during storms. In the Chüblisbüelbode, a newly built suspension bridge (2025) crosses the Emme and the Bern-Lucerne cantonal border. In Küblisbühl, follow the road uphill. If you like suspension bridges, you will encounter another beautiful example at Hinder Schönisei. Deep below, the still young Emme gushes through a wild gorge. Now you go back a short way before turning right towards Vorder Schönisei. At the fork, keep left towards Salwideli after the farmstead. After crossing the Schönisei brook, an alpine path leads around the Chüblisbüel elevation. At the fork shortly before Schneebärgli, go left towards Kemmeribodenbad. A footbridge crosses the Bärselbach; then keep left and go downhill. Shortly before the Unterer Hirschwängiberg farm, you return to the canton of Bern. The alpine path turns into a road and a wooden bridge leads back to Kemmeribodenbad.

Background: Kemmeribodenbad has a long history; originally, the area was used as alpine and forestry land. In 1775, researchers discovered a spring with sulfur- and iron-rich water, which laid the foundation for the development of the spa. In 1827, permission was granted for a guesthouse operation with a spa. Since then, Kemmeribodenbad has developed into a sought-after address. In the past, the place was repeatedly hit by heavy Emme floods. Especially dramatic was the flash flood in July 2022, triggered by a thunderstorm in the Emme catchment area.