Wonderfully walkable: the Napfbergland Border Trail

The Napfbergland Border Trail is 115 kilometers long. It leads on partly gentle, partly wild romantic paths from Bernese Langenthal over the Napf to the Brienzer Rothorn and down to the Brünig. The entire trail can be hiked in six day stages. The starting point of the first stage of the Napfbergland Border Trail is at Langenthal station. After leaving the urban area, the path leads over fields and along forest edges into Oberaargau.

On this section, the border trail follows the historical border between the cantons of Bern and Lucerne. This line is now only sporadically recognizable but shapes the route's course. The path mostly runs on natural trails, interrupted by short asphalted sections. The hike is feasible year-round – and if everyone wants to hike the 25 kilometers, then also with the whole family.

The first highlight along the way is the animal park. The publicly accessible park lies somewhat off Langenthal directly on the hiking path and offers the opportunity to observe native animal species in an open enclosure. For hikers, the place is suitable for a short break with a playground, various benches, and a toilet. Further along, the route reaches the surroundings of the former St. Urban monastery. The extensive monastery complex with its baroque church is visible from afar. The monastery was for centuries an important spiritual and economic center of the region. Today, the buildings are used for various purposes, including catering facilities.

Views repeatedly open over the gentle hills of Oberaargau and towards the Napf region. The closer one gets to Huttwil, the more open the landscape becomes. Since Huttwil, like Langenthal, is well connected to public transport, this first stage of the border trail is ideal as a day stage.

Text: Tanja Isler