Hike /Willisau Tourismus
Willisau – Ostergau – Geiss Circular Hike
Bahnhof Willisau
- Distance
- 13.4 km
- Duration
- 3:30 h
- Ascent
- 143 m
- Descent
- 144 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Fitness
- Moderate
- Route type
- Loop
- Season
- All year
01/ Overview
The route
Ponds, meadows and sweeping views of Pilatus characterise this gentle circular hike from Willisau. Along the way, it partly follows the Via Jacobi and passes through small Lucerne villages to Geiss.
The circular hike begins directly at Willisau railway station on a yellow-waymarked hiking trail. Passing the Galgen-Chäppeli, it leads out of the town and partly follows the Via Jacobi 4. Around Ostergau, ponds, open meadows and pastures shape the landscape, with Pilatus repeatedly coming into view along the way. Near Buechehübeli, the route reaches its highest point at around 630 m.
After Studeweid, there is a short section along the road before the trail continues through the gently rolling landscape via Elswil and Blochwil. Small settlements are scattered among the fields. In Geiss, the Landgasthof Ochsen offers an opportunity to stop for refreshments.
The return route partly follows paths already encountered. With no major climbs, it leads through open farmland and the pond-dotted landscape near Ostergau back to Willisau. After around three and a half hours and just over 13 kilometres, the circuit ends back at Willisau railway station.
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.
