Emmental cheese country to Lake Lucerne
Covered bridges, huge farmhouses and a show dairy in the Emmental, then through the Entlebuch biosphere to Lucerne.
- Distance
- 114 km (71 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 34 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Switzerland
- Updated
- July 25, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 114 km (71 mi) with 8 stops, from Bern to Lucerne. About 1 h 34 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Switzerland · More road trips from Interlaken
Route description
From Bern, drive north-east to Burgdorf, whose castle marks the entrance to the Emmental. Just south, the covered wooden bridge at Hasle crosses the Emme in a single span, and the road winds past farmhouses with huge sweeping roofs and flower-filled balconies.
A narrow road climbs to the Lueg, a hill with one of the best views in the region, from green hills to the snowy Bernese Alps. Below it at Affoltern, the Emmental Show Dairy demonstrates how the cheese with the holes is made; it is a good stop for families and motorhomes.
Langnau is the main town of the upper Emmental, known for its pottery, with the biscuit-making village of Trubschachen a few kilometres further east. Road 10 then crosses into the canton of Lucerne and the Entlebuch, a UNESCO Biosphere with moors, forests and Alpine farms.
Finish in Lucerne, on the lake of the same name, with its covered bridges and old town. The Emmental is at its best in May and June and at harvest time; roads are narrow in places, but the main road 10 is easy for any vehicle.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Bern
Switzerland - 223 km
Burgdorf
Switzerland - 36 km
Hasle-Rüegsau wooden bridge
HistoryHasle bei Burgdorf, SwitzerlandOne of Europe’s longest single-span covered wooden bridges, built in 1839 across the Emme. Park in the village and walk over.
- 411 km
Lueg viewpoint
ViewsAffoltern im Emmental, SwitzerlandA hilltop memorial with one of the widest views in the Emmental, from rolling farmland to the Bernese Alps. A narrow road climbs almost to the top.
- 54 km
Emmental Show Dairy
FoodAffoltern im Emmental, SwitzerlandWatch cheesemakers turn milk into the famous holey wheels, see an old alpine cheese hut and taste in the shop. The large car park suits motorhomes.
- 618 km
Langnau im Emmental
Switzerland - 727 km
Entlebuch
Switzerland - 825 km
Lucerne
Switzerland
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Bern → Lueg viewpoint · 40 km · 0 h 33 minOn the way: Burgdorf, Hasle-Rüegsau wooden bridge.Overnight nearby, for example: TCS Camping zum Muttenhof (19 km); Waldegg (7 km).
- Day 2: Lueg viewpoint → Entlebuch · 49 km · 0 h 41 minOn the way: Emmental Show Dairy, Langnau im Emmental.Overnight nearby, for example: Stellplatz Hasle-Entlebuch (< 1 km); Camping International Giswil (18 km).
- Day 3: Entlebuch → Lucerne · 25 km · 0 h 20 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camping Buochs-Vierwaldstättersee (12 km); Camping Seefeld (19 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Switzerland: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the heavy vehicle charge instead of the vignette. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Emmental cheese country to Lake Lucerne?
3-day road trip of about 114 km (71 mi) with 8 stops, from Bern to Lucerne. About 1 h 34 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Emmental cheese country to Lake Lucerne?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 34 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Emmental cheese country to Lake Lucerne start and end?
It starts in Bern and ends in Lucerne.
Which countries does Emmental cheese country to Lake Lucerne pass through?
Switzerland.
Where can you camp along Emmental cheese country to Lake Lucerne?
OpenStreetMap lists 62 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping Eichholz, Camping Thörishaus and TCS Camping zum Muttenhof.
When is the best time for Emmental cheese country to Lake Lucerne?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
