Day 1
Langnau - Hünigen Castle (41km) via Route 499
On this three-day tour, castles are strung together like pearls on a string. From Langnau, the route leads up to the Hüpfenboden mountain cheese dairy, where Emmental cheese is produced in the traditional way. In the next valley, Eggiwil enchants with Emmental farmhouses. On the ascent to Chuderhüsi, be sure to make a stop at Wielandleben, a charming farm with a farm store, farm bistro and charging station. The 37-metre-high Chuderhüsi wooden tower with its fantastic panoramic view follows shortly afterwards. Hünigen Castle, the first pearl in the chain of castles, is the perfect place to spend the night.
Day 2
Hünigen Castle - Burgdorf Castle (60km) via routes 499, 699, 99, 899
The next day, the route takes in Ursellen Castle near Konolfingen and Wyl Castle near Grosshöchstetten, with its pretty park, water lily pond and café. The picturesque route leads over high ground via Walkringen and Mänziwilegg to Utzigen. There, another castle with a magnificent view, café and baroque garden awaits. For dessert, there is a descent through the picturesque hilly landscape to Burgdorf, where you can spend an atmospheric night in the newly renovated Zähringer Castle.
Day 3
Burgdorf Castle -Sumiswald - Langnau (40km) via routes 24, 699, 399
The ride along the rebellious Emme leads to the covered bridge at Hasle, Europe's largest wooden arch bridge. For culture fans, a stop at the Gotthelf Center in Lützelflüh is well worthwhile. The museum in the former home of the writer Jeremias Gotthelf tells the story of his life and work.
There's even more Gotthelf in Sumiswald, in the restaurant of the Landgasthof Bären. A large, black, artificial spider watches over the ceiling above the wooden table mentioned in the novella "The Black Spider". The nearby Sumiswald Castle also offers overnight accommodation as B&B.
Finally comes Trachselwald Castle. Situated on a hill, its gloomy tower houses a worthwhile exhibition on the history of the Anabaptists. A final ascent leads up to Lüderenalp for a final, breathtaking panorama - and for an epically long descent back to Langnau.
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The Emmental is a paradise for connoisseurs of all types
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