Where the people of Heimiswil take their Sunday stroll

The hike takes place in the municipalities of Heimiswil and Rüegsau. Contrary to what the name of the station Hasle-Rüegsau might suggest, these are two independent municipalities, whose common boundary is crossed several times during the hike. The history of the former Rüegsau monastery is closely linked to the Barons of Brandis. Their castle burned down in 1798 during the French invasion. A local ice hockey club has taken over the name. The homepage of the municipality of Heimiswil states: „The Sunday stroll invites you to a hike on the two ridges, which finally offer a wonderful view of the Bernese Alps in the south from Rotenbaumegg or of the Jura range in the north from Kaltacker-Egg.“ Although the suggested route does not lead to the mentioned spots, this quote perfectly describes the view. The route is easy to find: starting from Rinderbach, the destination Hasle-Rüegsau is indicated. After leaving the village of Rinderbach, you reach the ridge near Linden in a short, partly steep ascent along pastures and through the forest. Here follows a scenic high-altitude hike. The view extends to the Jura in the northwest and to the Bernese Pre-Alps and Alps in the south. You now enjoy walking alternately through forest, along forest edges, or short stretches along meadows over Allmisbergegg and Rachisberg. Shortly before the Schallenberg farmstead the descent begins. Later at a forest corner, there are two paths to Hasle-Rüegsau. The route via Otzenberg is recommended as it has less hard surface. Through the district of Rüegsauschachen you finally reach the destination.