Emmenuferweg Stage 2: Sörenberg-Schüpfheim

UNESCO Biosphäre Entlebuch - The second stage of the Emmenuferweg is also the wildest. From Sörenberg, the hiking trail winds along deep gorges and high rock walls down into the main Entlebuch valley to Schüpfheim.

The route starts in the middle of the tranquil village of Sörenberg. After just a few meters, you leave the village center behind and find yourself at the Waldemme river. With the sound of the river in your ears, you walk through floodplain landscapes, pass protected moor biotopes, and discover the unique flora and fauna of the UNESCO Entlebuch Biosphere. After a short section along the riverbank, you reach the Birkenhof, nestled among forest islands, hedges, and dry meadows, where besides a farm experience, a lovely farm shop awaits, offering regional culinary delights.

Soon after, you dive into the treasure chamber of the UNESCO Entlebuch Biosphere. In Junkholz, you find yourself in the middle of a flat moor of national importance. Bogs are among the rarest and most valuable habitats in Switzerland. Nowhere in Switzerland are there so many nationally protected moor biotopes in such a small area as in Entlebuch. Around a quarter of the UNESCO Entlebuch Biosphere area is covered by moor landscapes – a total of 46 raised and transitional bogs as well as 68 flat bogs of national importance. The views in spring are particularly beautiful, when the flat bogs bloom in all their glory and you can admire meadows with fluffy wool grasses and violet-pink orchids.

Through cozy floodplain forests, the hike follows the Waldemme riverbank to Flühli. For children, the section between the Hirsegg bridge and Flühli village is a special highlight. Along this route section, there are various water experiences and a water playground to discover. In Flühli, the scent of freshly cut grass fills the air. The path leads past meadows and the typical scattered settlements of Entlebuch to the Chrutacher bridge and shortly after reaches the entrance to the spectacular Lammschlucht gorge. Between steep rock walls, the water of the Waldemme here rushes down into the depths. In autumn, when the deciduous trees shine in colorful hues, this section is especially impressive.

On narrow gravel paths, the trail continues along the riverbank to Schüpfheim. For those who still want more, shortly before the end of the stage, there is a large playground with fire pits in the Sagenwäldli.