This spring we tried the new Emmental-Entlebuch Foxtrail, which wanders around adorable villages in the Emmental valley while solving puzzles to find your way along on the trail. On this trail, we did some woodworking, revived vintage water pumps, weighed enormous cheese rounds, met some bears, drove a train, and much more. We had a lot of fun as a family on this trail and definitely recommend it, particularly for springtime because of the low elevation.
I won’t spoil the fun by giving away too much. So here are just some teasers to peak your interest. I hope you enjoy it!
Note: This outing was hosted by Foxtrail. See more Foxtrails we’ve done.
| Location: | Central Switzerland |
| Start: | Schümpfheim train station |
| Car: | Park at Schümpfheim train station – Bahnhofstrasse 14, 6170 Schüpfheim 40 mins from Luzern, 1hr10 from Zürich |
| Train: | Schümpfheim train station 35 mins from Luzern, 1hr20 from Zürich HB |
| Trail: | about 5 km, about 3-4 hours |
| Condition: | paved and dirt paths, some stairs, not suitable for strollers |
| Skill: | easy, best for children 7+ who can read |
| Open: | year round |
| Cost 2021: | CHF 99 for family of 2 adults, 2 children (shorter version CHF 79) |
| Services: | cafes and playgrounds along path |
| More info: | www.foxtrail.ch |
Overview
Foxtrail Emmental-Entlebuch is located in central Switzerland in the Emmental Valley west of Luzern.
I can’t show you the trail map because that’s what you have to figure out by solving the clues along the way. I can tell you that the trail visits three villages, walking 1.5 – 1.8 km in each village. My fitness watch tracked a total of 7.5 km, but we did a lot of back and forth.
Planning your day
The full Foxtrail Emmental-Entlebuch has an estimated time of 180 mins. However, we took 6 hours, which is a little embarrassing. But we did stop at both playgrounds for break, stopped for ice cream, took a few wrong turns, had to go back to read a couple clues, and in general, didn’t hurry that much. We were happy on the trail so the time didn’t bother us.
You have to take a train twice during the trail, which will be revealed to you as you solve the clues. (Don’t forget to bring a mask for the train rides.) The trains run every 30 mins in both directions. So don’t worry if you just miss the train. Just get a snack and take a little break in the shade.
You are never too far from a cafe or grocery if you need refreshments. Finding a toilet was a concern after so many hours. In Schümpfheim, I didn’t see a public WC but maybe at the Migros grocery (see on map). In Langnau, there is a public toilet here. Near the end of the trail in Trubschachen, there is a toilet at the Kambly factory (see on map).
Tickets
You must book your FoxTrail in advance online here. You book a specific day and time slot from about 8:00 to 16:00. For weekends and holidays, it could fill up, so best to book a few days in advance. But sometimes there are slots available on the day.
The Emmental-Entlebuch Foxtrail has two lengths – regular and a shorter version. We did the regular version. The shorter version takes less time and costs a bit less.
The full length Emmental-Entlebuch Foxtrail costs CHF 42/adult and CHF 23/child aged 4-16. There is a family discount, making a ticket for for 2 adults and 2 children CHF 99. This includes your train tickets that you will need during the Foxtrail. Check website for current prices.
When you book your tickets, you also need to pick your starting point, either Schümpfheim or Langnau. It does not matter where you start. You will do all the puzzles in both towns regardless of where you start. We started in Schumpfheim because it’s closer to Zürich. If you live near Bern, probably makes more sense to start in Langnau.
Starting Documents
When you book your Foxtrail, you receive your starting documents via PDF that tell you what to bring with you and where to meet. These documents includes hints for some stations on the trail and a helpline number in case you have trouble solving the clues. These documents and all clues on the trail are available in English, German or French. The documents also include a code that serves as your train ticket.
IMPORTANT: Make sure to print these documents and bring them with you (and a pen/pencil). You’ll also need the booking code on your confirmation receipt for some stations along the trail.
Getting There
As I said above, when you book your tickets, you can choose to start either in Schümpfheim or Langnau. In either case, your trail ends in Trubschachen and you will take the train back to your starting point. We started in Schümpfheim, which is closer to Zürich (and Luzern), so I’ll assume that in my instructions below.
By car: Drive to the Schümpfheim train station (Bahnhofstrasse 14, 6170 Schüpfheim) and park in the long term parking east of the train station near the Mobility Carsharing. It costs CHF 5/day and you can pay with coins or the SBB parking app.
By public transport: Take a train to Schümpfheim (or Langnau i.E. if you chose to start there).
On the Fox Trail
Your starting documents will tell you how to start the trail. Just follow the instructions and solve your first puzzle at the train station. I can’t show you everything, so here are just a few moments to give you idea of what the trail is like.
Here we are playing some music to figure out how to solve the next clue.
Lots of variety on this trail. Walking through a woodworking shop and strolling along the river.
A very nice playground along the way. We stopped to play for a few minutes but didn’t stay too long because we didn’t want the team behind us to catch up.
Figuring out how to work an old water pump station and a vintage fire engine.
Lots of bears around these villages.
Weighing this cheese round to solve our clue.
Lots of pretty things along the way.
You ride the train a couple times and find clues in and around the train.
Making friends on the trail and learning about local animals.
Another nice playground at about the half-way point. Might be a good place for a snack or lunch.
Visiting the library to get our next clue.
Some really beautiful building in these villages.
Lots of historical buildings as well.
Testing our driving skills on this train. FYI, teams tend to stack up at this station because the task takes a few minutes to complete. So you might need to wait 10-15 mins for your turn. It’s good to have some snacks ready. We failed the task the first time (so did the next two teams), so we had to go stand in line again. Try to do it right the first time, it’s easier than you think. Just read the instructions carefully.
That’s all folks! We had a lot of fun on this trail and I hope you like it. You can book this Foxtrail online here..
Thanks again to Foxtrail for hosting our visit.
See more Foxtrails that we’ve done.
