Signau brings together pilgrimage routes and viewpoints with a local history reflected in its bridge, church and memorial sites. The municipality is in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland; the surrounding Emmental landscape is characterised by hills, green pastures and forests. For your trip, you can choose from walks, cycling trips and historical themes.
Hiking and pilgrimage routes
From Signau, the viewpoints of the Upper Emmental can be reached on foot via a dense network of well-marked hiking trails. One longer option is the 16.6-kilometre pilgrimage hike from Signau via Chuderhüsi and Würzbrunnen to Röthenbach i. E. It is rated as moderately difficult. The section from Signau to Würzbrunnen follows a panoramic trail that was already walked in the early Middle Ages. The route thus brings together a historic trail tradition and a clearly described hike for today.
The pilgrimage hike is accessible by train to Signau. For the return journey, buses on route 271 run from Röthenbach i. E., Dorf, or Röthenbach i. E., Chuderhüsi. Check the current timetable and the route’s seasonal accessibility before travelling. You can also explore Signau itself on a guided tour lasting around one to one and a half hours. If you plan to take the tour, check the latest details in advance.
Local history and buildings
One striking structure is the Schüpbach Bridge: its pillar-free wooden arch construction dates from 1839 and is still used by traffic travelling to Langnau. The church also brings together different eras. A church already stood at the present site in the Romanesque period, in the 13th or 14th century; the current appearance largely dates from the renovation of 1850. These two dates point to the site’s long religious and architectural history.
Signau’s townscape, which is worthy of preservation, was added to the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of National Importance in 1976. The municipal coat of arms also has a long history: it has been documented since 1674 and is based on the coat of arms of the Lords of Signau. It later also became the coat of arms of the former bailiwick and district. These dates give the townscape and its coat of arms their own historical context.
The visible remains of a castle that fell into ruin in the 14th century are known locally as “Altschloss”. Another memorial site is the commemorative stone for four soldiers who died in Signau’s church after being interned there. Together with the church and bridge, these places offer different ways to explore Signau’s history: through buildings, traditional names and a specific act of remembrance.
Landscape and other routes
Quiet, low-traffic lanes and tracks around Signau invite you to go cycling. This offers another way to explore the area alongside its hiking trail network. Places worth visiting nearby include a historic village centre, old castle ruins and the Ă„nzeloch gorge. The landscape of hills, pastures and forests provides the wider setting.
Further afield in the region, 18 wooden bridges can be seen along a route of around 23 kilometres. The well-signposted route can be travelled on foot or by bike. Compared with the 16.6-kilometre pilgrimage hike, this is the longer of the two routes. The different distances and ways of travelling help you choose a hike or cycling trip that suits the length of outing you have planned.
Discover more destinations: Gohl, Oberfrittenbach, Schangnau, ZollbrĂĽck, Lauperswil, Trubschachen, Langnau Im Emmental, Eggiwil.
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