Emmental
The Emmental is a hilly tourism region in the canton of Bern in central Switzerland, lying between the cities of Bern, Zurich and Lucerne. It is a rural, gently rolling landscape of green hills, wide meadows and deep valleys, shaped by the Emme river and its tributaries rather than by any large lake. The region is known for its traditional farmhouses, its world-famous Emmentaler cheese, and its unhurried, down-to-earth character. The historic town of Burgdorf, known as the gateway to the Emmental, lies at the centre of the region, while smaller towns such as Langnau and Sumiswald anchor the upper and middle Emmental. The area offers abundant nature, hill hiking, cycling and traditional sports, alongside a lively cultural scene tied to the writer Jeremias Gotthelf, craftsmanship, museums and castles.
Summer activities
The Emmental's rolling hills are ideal for hill hiking, with routes across the Napf region, the upper Emmental around Schangnau, and the middle and lower Emmental, served by hiking buses from late April. The region is also a destination for road cycling, mountain biking and e-biking, including the Emmentaler cheese route. The Emme river and its tributaries offer countless spots for cooling off in summer, alongside outdoor and indoor pools in towns such as Langnau and Koppigen. Traditional sports such as Hornussen, Schwingen, Platzgen and Steinstossen can be tried in introductory courses.
Winter activities
The Emmental offers a range of winter experiences, including snowshoeing, winter hiking and cross-country skiing across the snow-covered hills. The small ski area of Schangnau, where ski legend Beat Feuz learned to ski, extends to the foot of the Hohgant mountain at 1,365 metres above sea level, with two lifts, a children's lift and a magic carpet, making it a family-friendly resort. Guided hot-cold snowshoe tours combine a hike with a soak in a hot tub and fondue, and numerous fondue and raclette experiences are offered across the region.
Culture and entertainment
The Emmental has a distinctive cultural life rooted in its rural traditions and literary heritage. The writer Jeremias Gotthelf, whose stories are set in the region, is celebrated through a centre, themed trails, open-air theatre and a cultural trail, while the region also has a history in Swiss filmmaking. A dense network of museums spans regional history, art and craftsmanship, including the Franz Gertsch Museum and the Bernhard Luginbühl Foundation in Burgdorf, alongside castles such as Burgdorf, Landshut and Trachselwald. Traditional crafts such as saddlery, Langnau pottery, paper cutting, woodturning and accordion building are still practised and can be experienced up close.
