Emmental Switzerland Travel Guide – Cheese, Countryside, and Swiss Traditions

In the heart of Switzerland, where lush pastures stretch across rolling hills and traditional chalets dot the landscape, lies Emmental—a picturesque region best known as the birthplace of the world-famous Emmental cheese. But beyond its creamy delicacies, Emmental offers a peaceful escape into the soul of rural Swiss life.
 

Located in the canton of Bern, Emmental is an ideal destination for those looking to slow down, immerse in nature, and experience Swiss culture in its purest form. With gentle hiking trails, wooden bridges, scenic cycling paths, and cheese dairies you can actually visit, Emmental invites you to reconnect with simplicity and serenity.

📚 Table of Contents

Why Visit Emmental?

Where Is Emmental?

How to Get to Emmental

Getting Around

Top Things to Do in Emmental

Emmental Cheese – A Culinary Star

Scenic Hiking & Cycling Routes

Villages to Visit in Emmental

Cultural Experiences

Events and Festivals

Where to Stay

What to Eat

Best Time to Visit

Travel Tips

Final Thoughts

🌿 1. Why Visit Emmental?

Emmental is for travelers who appreciate:

🧀 Authentic cheese-making experiences

🌄 Rolling green hills and walking trails

🏡 Traditional Swiss farmhouses and chalets

🚲 Quiet cycling routes

🧘‍♀️ A slow, nature-focused travel experience

🎨 Folklore, craftwork, and rural Swiss heritage

It’s not touristy like Interlaken or Lucerne, making it perfect for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path escape.

🗺️ 2. Where Is Emmental?

Emmental lies in the canton of Bern in central Switzerland. The region stretches roughly between the cities of Burgdorf, Langnau im Emmental, and Sumiswald, with the Emme River winding through its gentle valleys.

🚉 3. How to Get to Emmental

By Train

From Bern: Direct trains to Burgdorf (20 minutes) or Langnau (45 minutes)

From Zurich or Lucerne: Transfer in Bern or Olten

By Car

A scenic 45-minute drive from Bern, 1.5 hours from Zurich. Note: public transport is better for remote trails and cheese dairies.

🚌 4. Getting Around

Trains and regional buses connect major towns like Burgdorf, Langnau, and Trubschachen

E-bikes or bicycles are available for rent—perfect for Emmental's rolling hills

Hiking is a major way to explore, with well-marked trails throughout the region

🧀 5. Top Things to Do in Emmental

🧀 1. Visit the Emmentaler Show Dairy (Schaukäserei) – Affoltern im Emmental

Watch the world-famous cheese being made by hand, taste samples, and even make your own wheel of Emmental cheese in a workshop.

🏰 2. Explore Burgdorf Castle

A hilltop castle overlooking the town of Burgdorf, now home to a museum and hostel. Don’t miss the views of the Emme Valley!

🌄 3. Hike the Emmental Cheese Route

A 35-km scenic trail through green pastures, farms, and cheese dairies. Great for day hikes or multi-day treks.

🛖 4. See Traditional Farmhouses

Emmental is famous for its massive wooden farmhouses, often centuries old, with curved roofs and beautifully painted façades.

🧵 5. Explore Folk Art & Craft

Visit workshops making papercuts (Scherenschnitt), woodcarvings, and traditional furniture.

🧀 6. Emmental Cheese – A Culinary Legend

The iconic Emmental cheese (what many call “Swiss cheese”) is a semi-hard cheese with a nutty, buttery flavor and signature holes, caused by fermentation gases. It’s been crafted here since the 13th century.

Best Cheese Experiences:

Emmentaler Schaukäserei – Live demonstrations, tastings, and workshops

Kambly Biscuit Factory in Trubschachen – Famous for Swiss cookies, with free tastings

Local farms often sell fresh dairy products right from their doors

🥾 7. Scenic Hiking & Cycling Routes

Emmental’s hills are made for outdoor enthusiasts:

Hiking Trails:

Cheese Route Loop: 35 km with dairy stops

Affoltern to Lüderenalp: Pastures, panoramic views, and Alpine flowers

Trub Trail: Along rivers and forest paths to the historic village of Trub

Cycling:

Herzroute (National Bike Route 99) – Passes through Emmental with e-bike rentals available

Emme Valley Trail – Gentle riverside path, great for families

🏡 8. Villages to Visit in Emmental

🏘️ Burgdorf

A medieval town with cobbled streets, shops, and a mighty hilltop castle. The cultural hub of Emmental.

🧀 Affoltern im Emmental

Home to the Emmental cheese dairy and lush countryside. Ideal for a peaceful stay.

🌲 Trubschachen

Famous for the Kambly biscuit factory, and one of the best places to see traditional Emmental houses.

🌼 Langnau im Emmental

Cultural and artistic village with markets, festivals, and great transport links.

🐄 Trub

Known for its remote charm and appearance in the TV series “Der Bestatter.” A hidden gem for hikers.

🎭 9. Cultural Experiences

Folk music concerts in local inns and barns

Alpine wrestling (Schwingen) competitions in summer

Cheese-making workshops at family-run dairies

Museum Franz Gertsch in Burgdorf – Swiss art and photography

Emmental Heimatmuseum – A deep dive into regional traditions

🎉 10. Events and Festivals

Chästeilet (Cheese-sharing festival) – September, featuring the ceremonial division of mountain cheeses

Emmental Classic Car Days – June in Burgdorf

Langnau Jazz Nights – Annual jazz festival in summer

Local farmers’ markets – Seasonal events with cheese, meats, breads, and crafts

🛏️ 11. Where to Stay

🏰 Unique

Jugendherberge Burgdorf – Stay in a real castle with stunning views

Farm stays – Sleep on a working Swiss farm and enjoy local breakfasts

🏡 Cozy Guesthouses

Gasthof Bären (Sumiswald) – Historic and charming

Landgasthof Kemmeriboden-Bad – Rustic luxury and famous for meringues

⛺ Nature

Alp huts and cabins – Simple, scenic accommodations on hiking routes

Camping sites along rivers or forest clearings

🍽️ 12. What to Eat

Emmental cheese fondue – Creamy and regional

Älplermagronen – Swiss macaroni with cheese and onions

Berner Platte – A plate of meats and sauerkraut from the Bernese region

Merängge (Meringue) – Try it with fresh cream at Kemmeriboden-Bad

Many farms and guesthouses serve homemade dishes with ingredients grown on site.

☀️ 13. Best Time to Visit

Spring (April–June) – Meadows in bloom, ideal hiking weather

Summer (July–August) – Green pastures, festivals, and sunny skies

Autumn (September–October) – Cheese festivals and colorful landscapes

Winter (December–February) – Peaceful, snowy countryside and warm fireside meals (some hiking trails closed)

🧳 14. Travel Tips

🧀 Bring cash for small shops and farms—many don’t take cards

🚶‍♂️ Always follow hiking trail signs (yellow for regular paths, red-white-red for mountain trails)

🗣️ Learn a few Swiss-German phrases—locals love it

📦 Don’t leave without a wedge of Emmental and a tin of Kambly biscuits

🧳 Use SBB’s luggage delivery service if you’re combining hiking with train travel

🌄 15. Final Thoughts

Emmental isn’t just a place—it’s a feeling. A place where time slows, where the scent of hay and cheese fills the air, and where every trail, bridge, and chalet tells a story of Swiss tradition. Whether you come for a day or stay for a week, Emmental will reward you with authenticity, calm, and simple joy.