Hiking & nature

Via Alpine Panorama Trail to Lüderenalp

Hike from Emmenmatt through the Dürsrüttiwald forest, over Ober Rafrüti and up to the Lüderenalp

The hike starts in Emmenmatt at the confluence where the Ilfis flows into the Emme river, before the latter flows towards Burgdorf and ultimately into the Aare at Solothurn. Another special historic feature on this hike is the Dürsrüttiwald forest, where particularly thick, tall silver furs still grow today. You’ll enjoy the fantastic mountain panorama over and over again as you make your way along the mountain ridge and ultimately reach the Ober Rafrüti viewing point and the Lüderenalp restaurant terrace.

Travel by rail to Emmenmatt. For your return journey from “Lüderenalp”, take bus line 285.

Trail description

From Emmenmatt, the trail leads along stage 15 of Swiss hiking route No. 3, the Alpine Panorama Trail, first over the Emme river and then immediately over the Ilfis towards the Lüderenalp. After a steeper ascent, the path continues over the long mountain ridges and through the Dürsrütiwald and Geissbühlwald forests. Again and again there are short, unwooded sections with views of the Central Plateau and the Alps. After Fluhhüsli there are two more ascents until you reach the Ober Rafrüti viewpoint. After a short forest section, Lüderenalp is now in sight and can be reached in a few minutes. Enjoy the magnificent view of the Alps once again, along with some delicious food, on the restaurant’s terrace.

Key information

Hiking route	Emmenmatt-Dürsrütiwald-Ober Rafrüti-Lüderenalp
Distance	11.8 km
Hiking time	3 hours 50 minutes
Elevation difference	ascent: 762 m / descent: 272 m
Degree of difficulty	medium

Incidentally, the entire Alpine Panorama Trail covers 510 kilometres with 30 stages, taking you from Lake Constance right across Switzerland to Lake Geneva.