Discover Huttwil through its local history and trails across the rolling hills. In town, you’ll encounter historic buildings, a museum and markets; on Huttwilberg and along the routes towards Napf, the landscape and views take centre stage. This lets you choose different focuses for your stay without combining the routes and experiences into a single excursion.
Huttwilberg and Trails Through the Rolling Hills
Huttwilberg and the surrounding forests form an important local recreation area for the region. From the hill, views extend to the Lucerne and Bernese Alps and across the rolling landscape of the Napf region. The developed car park on Huttwilberg is a starting point for hikes and walks. As parking regulations may change, check the signs on site.
One specific route option is the second stage of the Napfbergland Border Trail from Huttwil to Napf: it is listed as 20.4 kilometres long and climbs to higher elevations with far-reaching views. The Way of St James offers a different route: one section runs from Zell via Ufhusen to Huttwil through varied rolling countryside, with expansive views. The Border Trail stage from Langenthal to Huttwil focuses on historical and cultural highlights. These details describe different routes and sections, so compare them by their respective paths rather than just by their shared connection to Huttwil.
Local History in the Museum and Townscape
Since 1959, the Salzbütte Museum has collected and archived historical documents about Huttwil. A small permanent exhibition in two rooms displays changing collections on the history and local heritage of the Huttwil region. The changing collection gives a visit a different focus from a tour centred solely on the town’s buildings: here, documents and local history take centre stage.
Notable historic buildings include the “Alte Krone,” Huttwil’s oldest building. The so-called Schultheissenhaus dates from 1653 and stands on Spitalstrasse. The central fountain square also offers a glimpse of the town’s built character: the spacious square is flanked on both sides by two residential and commercial buildings with symmetrical façades and hipped roofs. The museum, buildings and square thus offer different ways to explore Huttwil’s history—through preserved documents, a dated building and the design of a public space.
Markets and Museum Railway
Four annual fairs and various themed markets take place in Huttwil throughout the year. The Huttwil Cheese Market showcases the variety of Swiss cheeses. More than 20 dairies and other exhibitors with complementary offerings take part each time; the number of participants may vary from one edition to the next. If you’re planning to visit the cheese market, check the dates for the relevant edition.
The Emmental Museum Railway also combines an excursion with a look at railway history. Its route retains station buildings from the opening period of the former RSHB, as well as tunnels and bridges. The railway runs from April to October on the second Sunday of each month, except for Easter Monday; in February, winter steam train rides are available. Check the operating dates and exceptions before travelling. The preserved station buildings and structures add tangible evidence of the former line to the experience.
Experience Wool
On Huttwil’s “Wool Trail,” visitors of all ages can learn about wool as a raw material and the techniques used to process it. At the demonstration carding mill, you can watch wool being processed on weekdays; carding machines more than 100 years old are still used there every day. Check the operating arrangements in advance if you plan to visit the demonstration carding mill. This distinguishes a general introduction to wool as a material from observing how it is processed.
There is also a large adventure playground for children, including a petting zoo. Together with the historical and landscape attractions, it expands the range of activities Huttwil has to offer. Which places you include depends on whether you’re more interested in local history, markets, trails or wool processing.
Discover more destinations: DĂĽrrenroth, Trachselwald, Sumiswald, Eriswil, LĂĽtzelflĂĽh, RĂĽegsbach, Walterswil, Wyssachen.
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