Discover Emmen: River Trails, Art and Recreation

In Emmen, you’ll find river trails and woodland activities, as well as art, technology and recreational activities at Mooshüsli. For your stay, you can choose what to focus on depending on whether you prefer walking and themed trails, culture in Rathausen, or swimming and sports facilities. The differences between the options can help you choose destinations that suit your visit.

River Trails and Walking Routes

Walks along the Emme and Reuss offer opportunities to enjoy nature by the river. In addition, a green space can be reached on foot within ten minutes from anywhere in Emmen. The Emme Riverside Trail follows the river landscape from the source of the Emme in the heart of the UNESCO Entlebuch Biosphere Reserve to Emmen. Its fourth stage runs from Wolhusen to where the Emme flows into the Reuss at Emmenbrücke.

The Planet Trail runs along the Reuss floodplain from the confluence of the Kleine Emme and the Reuss to Perlen. Along the way, you can walk through the planetary system at a scale of 1:1 billion. The approximately 2 km circular Celtic Tree Circle trail starts at Riffig Pond in Riffig Forest; 22 selected trees are described on flip panels. The Riffig Forest Vita Parcours is 2.2 km long and has 15 stations. The two trails are similar in length, but differ in that one is a circular route with tree panels, while the other has Vita Parcours stations.

The sculpture trail in Schachen Forest runs downstream from Sedel Bridge to Rathausen Bridge. Since 2005, more than 40 wooden sculptures have been created there from the stumps of felled trees. The trail thus combines a specific riverside route with artworks made from material sourced in the forest.

Art, Technology and History

The Akku art platform hosts a varied programme of contemporary art exhibitions. The programme also includes cultural events, public tours, lectures and readings. At Rathausen in Emmen, CKW Energiewelt offers free tours for schools, businesses, clubs and families. Using augmented reality, it shows the inside of the Rathausen power plant, including the turbine, gearbox and generator block.

Themed around electricity, Stromwelt CKW tours include talks, hands-on experiments and interactive 3D reliefs. An exhibition in Rathausen offers insights into the site’s more than 750-year history on a walking tour. The Rathausen tour leads to 30 places or stations, which you can visit in any order. Former residents and other people from the past share personal experiences and memories.

Swimming and Recreation at Mooshüsli

Mooshüsli outdoor pool covers 35,000 m². The sports pool has eight 50-metre lanes. Other facilities include a 54 m water slide, a current channel, water play features and water jets, as well as a children’s paddling area with a water play garden. Individual water features may be unavailable during maintenance. The wellness area at Mooshüsli indoor pool has an 85°C Finnish sauna and a 45°C aroma steam bath; check current availability if these facilities are important to your visit.

Mooshüsli Minigolf’s 18-hole course is right next to Mooshüsli swimming complex. You can reach the minigolf course by car or bus; check current public transport connections before travelling. Emmen Beach Park has a beach soccer pitch, two volleyball courts, two handball courts and six tennis courts. Court availability may depend on reservations.

The publicly accessible themed playground near the animal park at Mooshüsli covers around 5,500 m² and is designed as a meeting place for people of all generations and cultures. Emmen Pump Park is located above Mooshüsli outdoor pool, right next to the themed playground, and covers 1,500 m². It can be used with bikes, BMX bikes, skateboards, mini scooters, scooters and inline skates. There is also a free, unrestricted street workout facility in Gersag.

Disc Golf and Current Usage Information

The disc golf course extends across the Gersag grounds to Mooshüsli Forest and has 15 baskets. It is free to use; the section with the other eleven baskets can be played at any time. The layout, facilities or usage rules for disc golf, the pump park and street workout may change. Check the latest usage information before planning a visit.

Discover more destinations: Emmenbrücke, Römerswil, Rain, Lieli, Hämikon, Ballwil, Retschwil, Hohenrain

Go to the overview of the wider area: Hochdorf.