Welcome to the Emmentaler Cheese producing area of Switzerland. Emmentaler Cheese is a medium-hard, Swiss mountain variety with extra tartness. Dating back to the 1200s, Emmentaler is a key ingredient in Fondue and other classic cheese-oriented dishes. Emmentaler, along with Gruyere, are the two most globally known Swiss styles. I love a good Appenzeller and I wish more Swiss Cheeses were exported.
| Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 15 – Lüderenalp to Moosegg. |
| Length: 10 miles (16 km); |
| Hiking Time: 5 h; |
| Ascent: 2,100 ft (640 m); |
| Descent: 2,700 ft (820 m); |
| Fitness Level: Medium. |
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 15, #1 – Lüderenalp to Moosegg. Beautiful weather makes this hike and the Alp views much better. I start this stage at noon after completing Stage 14 in the morning.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 15, #2 – Lüderenalp to Moosegg. The highest point of the hike is just shy of 1,000 m. The views of the Emmenthal Region to the north and the Alps to the south are spectacular.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 15, #3 – Lüderenalp to Moosegg. Originally, holes in cheese, or eyes, were considered a sign of poor production. Now, these holes are considered a sign of aging and the symbol of Swiss Cheese worldwide. Emmentaler AOC is the registration for natural ingredients, natural rind, and aged in traditional cellars for a minimum of 4 months. There are 3 age designations for Emmentaler: Classic, aged for at least 4 months; Reserve, aged for at least 8 months; and Premier Cru, aged for at least 14 months.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 15, #4 – Lüderenalp to Moosegg. Make sure to visit Langnau im Emmental, the central town for the Emmental Region. Historically, all the cheese trade went through here. Make sure to stop in at the Käserei Ilfis on the West edge of town, a couple of blocks from the train station and over the river. They open at 6:15am and close at 6:30pm with a lunch break from 12:15-2pm. Just make sure you don’t show up at lunch.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 15, #5 – Lüderenalp to Moosegg. Starting in Emmenmatt, at the lowest point of the Stage and the lowest point since Wolhusen, the hike changes with the new mountain. Hiking up to Moosegg is not difficult, unless you’ve combined stages 14 and 15. Then the climb is only difficult due to a long day. I found the most interesting part of this hike were the views back toward Lüderenalp and Napf.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 15, #6 – Lüderenalp to Moosegg. I have not mentioned the dogs and cats I ‘friend’ along the way. In this video, I come across 4 dogs that did not like me. Similar to black bears in the US, a bit of noise usually helps keep them away. I enjoyed the forest at this part of the hike.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 15, #7 – Lüderenalp to Moosegg. Time to celebrate the 1/2 way point of the Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail. I did not stay long in Moosegg, but there are two restaurants that looked inviting.