The raised bog of Wachseldorn

The hike starts in Süderen-Oberei near the Bären inn. Already after a first ascent to Süderenhubel, you can admire a beautiful view of the Schrattenflue, the Honegg, the High Alps, and the Stockhorn range. Past the Wachseldorn schoolhouse, the path leads to the Wachseldornmoos. A newly created path curves around the raised bog of national importance. At any time of year, the moor area offers an impressive nature experience.

A coal shortage after the First World War led to extensive peat extraction as fuel in the Wachseldornmoos. In 1978, the moor was protected; the remaining moor area should be preserved as a valuable habitat for flora and fauna. The enhancements made in recent years have made the moor a popular excursion destination.

The path continues toward Heimenschwand. Mighty parabolic mirrors of the army and the Tertianum Schibistei (restaurant) are along the way. Upon arriving in the village of Heimenschwand, the path climbs, and after the last houses, the view widens. After a forest section, the road to Jassbach is crossed, and then the path ascends to the Vorder Stauffen farm. Shortly afterward, you reach a mighty oak on the hilltop. The tree trunk's circumference measures more than five meters, and the oak is said to have stood here for around 600 years—making it one of the oldest oaks in the canton of Bern. The tree in a scenic location is a protected natural monument.

The route continues over the ridge to the Hinter Stauffen farm. You increasingly immerse yourself in the hilly and forested Emmental, feeling far from civilization and thinking: this must be the place where fox and hare say good night to each other. From Stauffenbrunnen, the path descends and reaches Röthenbach in the Emmental. There is the restaurant Moos-Pintli. Further sights in the community include the Würzbrunnen church and the observation tower in the Chuderhüsi forest.

Text: Peter Lüscher, Schangnau