Emmental (Sweet and Sour With Cheese)

• The best time to ride this route is between June and September.
• The route consists mostly of paved and unpaved forest roads. The ascents and descents are used to access multiple scenic points and can be very steep at times (>20%) and often full of rocks or roots. A hardtail MTB with a low gear ratio is recommended, especially when carry a lot of luggage.
• The route starts and ends in the town Langenthal in the South of Basel. Langenthal is easy to reach by train. There are no official parking places, where you can leave a car  longer than 24h!
• We did this trip clockwise on a very sunny weekend at the end of June. Though temperatures were hot during the day, the nights up the hills can be chilly.
• Keep an eye out for hikers.
• The white mountains of the Berner Oberland region often disappear in thick clouds, which then makes the tour less spectacular. For the best panoramic views, I recommend doing this trip only in good weather conditions.
• There is a section around mile 80 that includes Cheistlistäg bridge. There are some steep bits and steps required to go through this canyon. Pack light. The detour around the canyon would be to go up the valley to the east toward Linde and then back; there are obvious highlighted cycling routes on the OSM Cycle map layer.

• You will find accommodation options in every village.
• In Switzerland, overnight camping is permitted beyond tree line. It is forbidden in National Parks (such as in the Lombachalp region).
• You also pass a lot of farmland where camping is often allowed with the permission of the owner.
• If you stop to camp in the forest, it’s always best to arrive late and leave early. And of course, #leavenotrace.

• You pass plenty villages and farmhouses, so water is everywhere.
• Supermarktes are available in Langenthal, Trubschachen, Schangnau, Habkern, and most other bigger villages along the way.
• Many farmers sell food, especially cheese.
• Small rivers and creeks abound. Filtering is recommended because of nearby cattle grazing.

The tour begins and ends in the South of Langenthal. We did this tour clockwise in three long days, spending the first night about an hour’s ride past Schangnau. On the second day, we resupplied in Habkern.

The way uphill to Napf is steep and difficult to ride. You’ll likely have to push your bike from time to time. The downhill is a joy to ride until Trubschachen. Shortly after this village you have to push your bike up a steep, rocky forest road. The descent from Wachthubel is similar to the ascent.

We spent the second night at the scenic tower Chüderhüsi, which also offers a public barbecue area. You can have a meal at the restaurant next to the tower, but be aware of the opening times. It most often closes at 5:00 p.m.  Furthermore, it doesn’t sell alcohol, so you’ll have to enjoy sunset on the scenic tower without a post-ride beer, unless you buy it in the village of Roethenbach on the way up.

The third day still has plenty of climbing, although the long climbs are already finished.