Flühli - Chessiloch waterfall

UNESCO Biosphäre Entlebuch - Adventurous circular hike to the Chessiloch waterfall and the impressive Chessimätteli suspension bridge - the longest suspension bridge in the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch.

The circular route starts in the village of Flühli and first leads on the Kneipp circuit to the natural wellness oasis Schwandalpweiher. Here a small detour to the beautiful facility is worthwhile.

Refreshed, you then head towards Chessiloch. At the former glass hut "Kragen" you enter a pleasantly wide gravel path into the green forest. Wonderful, this natural atmosphere, the birds chirp in competition and on the right the rushing Seebenbach plays its music. After five minutes of walking, a narrow, inconspicuous path branches off to the right, down towards the stream bed, marked with a root-grown signpost "Sulfur spring". The way down to the spring is short but somewhat steep; a handrail helps with climbing down. Now no one may chicken out from drinking a big sip of the healthy sulfur water - if necessary with a pinched nose - which was once considered healing.

Continue back on the gravel path; soon the first viewing platform is reached, opening the view to a breathtaking water landscape, shaped by the Rotbach over centuries. A paradise for both geologists and nature lovers. Mertensia, cornflowers, woodland cranesbill and other colorful wildflowers line the way, and soon you come across a nice "Swiss Family" grill and picnic area. A view through the forest into the depths shows another grill place directly next to the river. Various hiking routes can be taken from here, but inevitably the famous waterfall Chessiloch attracts first; the signpost still shows 10 minutes from here. The path then continues somewhat adventurously over sticks and stones. After just a few minutes, there is a roaring, beautiful waterfall with a viewing platform above it. Wonderful natural power! But it goes even further uphill and soon the view falls on a wooden suspension bridge spanning the gorge. A deafening roar becomes louder and louder. At the end of the bridge comes the big wow. Magnificent the view of the Chessiloch waterfall, plunging noisily into the depths and spraying us with light mist.

A souvenir photo is of course a must before returning along the same route to the fire pit. After all, a second highlight awaits on this route. From the rest area, a narrow path leads zigzag uphill. But after a short climb, it is quickly done, and you stand in front of the Chessimätteli suspension bridge. The bridge is 65 meters long and weighs about 7 tons. An impressive structure. But it takes a bit of courage here too to cross the bridge. On the first steps, it wobbles and the view falls into the deep Chessiloch gorge. Simply great, this view down into the valley-running gorge. On the other side of the bridge, numerous hiking trails start.

But for this circular route, you return again to the rest area and hike toward Kragen and Hüttlenen. After carefully crossing the main road, it goes on the Emme riverside path back to the village of Flühli. If the kids still have enough energy, there is still a water playground and other grill places here.