Hike /UNESCO Biosphäre Entlebuch
Gfellen–Schimbrig Circular Hike
Gfellen bei Finsterwald (Entlebuch)Gfellen bei Finsterwald (Entlebuch
- Distance
- 14.5 km
- Duration
- 5:20 h
- Ascent
- 853 m
- Descent
- 842 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Fitness
- Hard
- Route type
- Loop
- Season
- May - October
01/ Overview
The route
A steep climb to the Schimbrig, along a grassy ridge and with far-reaching views of the Pilatus, Titlis and Bernese Alps: this Entlebuch summit circuit combines a sulphur spring, alpine pastures and a long descent back to Gfellen.
From the Gfellen PostBus stop, the route initially leads to the Grosse Entlen and across the Stilaubbrücke. The hiking trail then climbs via Alp Understettili to Schimbrigbad, where drinkable sulphurous spring water emerges. Above, the mountain trail becomes considerably steeper, requiring sure-footedness and concentration.
The final ascent to the summit runs largely along a grassy ridge. At the Schimbrig, the route reaches its highest point at around 1,800 m. The views extend to the Titlis, the Pilatus and the Bernese Alps. A long descent then leads across open alpine pastures and later into the forest. At one fence, a small ladder provides a way across.
The route continues downhill via Alp Brüderen with its chapel and along the Eremitenweg. A refreshment stop at Gründli lies slightly off the route. After just over five hours and a little more than 14 kilometres, the circuit ends back at the Gfellen stop.
02/ Along the route
What's along the way
Where the route climbs and where it descends. Hover the profile to find the spot on the map.
03/ Conditions
Current conditions
What to know before you set off. Closures and snow are re-checked every day.
How we check: Every night we match the route against the official closures and detours from the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). Any reported closure that touches the route shows up here.
How we check: We look up a live public transport connection from your starting point to the stop closest to the trailhead. If it ends further away, the nearest stop may be a cable car or bus that isn't running right now.
How we check: Snow depth estimated daily at the lowest and the highest point of the route. Estimates: check the situation on site.
04/ Getting there
Getting there
From your door to the trailhead and home again, by train and bus or by car. Computed live from the timetable.
Or from
Outbound
Return
05/ Weather
Weather on the way
Forecast for the lowest and the highest point of the route.
Weather
06/ Trail & landscape
Trail & landscape
Which paths you walk on and the landscape they lead through.
Larches count as conifer forest here.
07/ Export
Take the route with you
Load the track onto your GPS device, print a route sheet for the trail or send the route to your hiking group.
Share
Send the link to friends or your hiking group.
Export GPX File
For hiking apps, GPS watches and navigation devices.
Print Route Sheet
A4 with map, elevation profile, waypoints and emergency numbers.
