Eriswil: Ahorn, hiking trails and cultural heritage
Accommodation in Eriswil
Eriswil lies at the foot of the Ahorn. The municipal area comprises mainly the uppermost part of the Langete Valley. If you are looking for a hotel in Eriswil, you can first decide whether hiking, scenery or local history will be the main focus of your stay. The routes and sights in the area offer some specific ideas.
Landscape and geological history
Eriswil’s geological bedrock was formed around seven million years ago. The ancient Aare deposited the Napf as a vast delta; over time, the sediments compacted into Nagelfluh conglomerate. A more recent discovery brings the history of the rock to life: a boulder weighing around two tonnes was found in 1981 during road construction in Schwende, above Eriswil. Today, it stands by Eriswil’s “railway station.” From the higher elevations around Eriswil, views extend across the Swiss Plateau and the Jura to Central Switzerland and parts of the Bernese Alps.
Hiking around Eriswil
The Nordic Fitness Trail starts at the sports ground and leads via Wüeriweg, Hinterdorfgässli, Stutzer, Obere Hohle, Waldmatt and the forest hut. It then follows a circular route through Fluhwald near Fritzenfluh before returning to the village. After construction and signposting work, the trail was officially opened on 24 April 2010.
One hike starts in the village centre and leads via Alp Bettler to the viewing platform on the Ahorn, then along the Napfbergland border trail to Oberi LushĂĽtte. The route from Eriswil via Ahorn and Oberi LushĂĽtte to Wasen i. E. is 23.1 km long, takes 7 hours and 15 minutes, and is rated difficult. Check route conditions before setting out.
The Napfbergland Border Trail 1 runs from Eriswil Hinterdorf to Luthern Bad and is 14.5 km long. The route is rated challenging and is listed as suitable from April to October. Eriswil Hinterdorf, the starting point, can be reached by bus from Huttwil; timetables may change. Check the connection and route conditions before departure.
Cyclists also have a specific connection to the area: cycling route 399, “Herzschlaufe Napf,” passes through Eriswil, listed there as waypoint 3 at 737 m above sea level. Check route conditions before setting out.
Natural and cultural heritage
On the ridge between the Bernese municipality of Eriswil and the Lucerne municipality of Luthern stands the Hagstelli: a row of trees—beeches, maples, ash trees and spruces—that survives to this day, though with gaps. It is a protected monument; some of the trees are estimated to be more than 400 years old. In 1565, Lucerne’s knight and mayor ordered a Hagstelli to be planted on this ridge. Here, nature and history come together in a distinctive landscape feature preserved over centuries.
The Reformed Church of Eriswil also brings together different historical periods. Its well-preserved tower probably dates from the 14th century. The Late Gothic polygonal choir is believed to have been built in 1528; the surviving baptismal font dates from the same year. The former manor houses of the Schmid and Wirz families still shape the village centre today.
Part of Franz Eggenschwiler’s work can be seen in a permanent exhibition at the Eggenschwiler-Wiggli Foundation House. The foundation also regularly organises exhibitions and other events. Its changing exhibitions provide contemporary artists with a platform to present their work.
A local bean variety
“Schwarze aus Eriswil,” a robust bean variety grown for generations in Eriswil BE at an altitude of around 800 m above sea level, is part of the region’s food culture. Its long, broad and fleshy pods contain flat black seeds. The bean is eaten fresh or used in soup. This variety profile adds another facet of local history to the hiking and cultural themes.
Discover more destinations: DĂĽrrenroth, RĂĽegsbach, Huttwil, Sumiswald, Walterswil, Trachselwald, Wyssachen, LĂĽtzelflĂĽh.
Back to the higher-level travel overview: Trachselwald.
