Gohl: Themed Trails and Farmhouse Culture

Visitors who choose Gohl as a destination can get to know the area through its themed trails, the cultural landscape of the Gohlgraben, and several historic buildings. The Gohlgraben is one of the deeply cut valleys in the Napf region; remote individual farmsteads shape the landscape. Two themed trails focus on different aspects: the Gohlgraben Tour explores the landscape, local history, and local industries, while “House & Farm” focuses on the architectural heritage of local farmhouses, granaries, and small farmhouses. When planning your visit, you can therefore choose between a focus on natural history and one on cultural history.

Themed Trails in the Gohlgraben

The Gohlgraben Tour is a themed trail with twelve stops for bicycles, with or without electric assistance. Route highlights include a medieval castle site and a glacial erratic; the trail also covers local geology and water. Hornussen is another topic: the sport is one of the area’s popular pastimes. Three stops focus on the industries that remain important today: cheese, timber, and livestock farming. The route also offers views of the Emmental hills and the Alps. Nature, history, sport, and local economic life are all represented, giving the tour its varied range of themes.

Architectural Heritage and History

The “House & Farm” themed trail begins in the upper Gohlgraben at the “Obeningohl” farmstead. It explores the cultural and historical significance of local farmhouses, granaries, and small farmhouses. The farmstead includes two farmhouses, a granary, a small farmhouse, and a garden with boxwood beds. The buildings date from the 17th century. These building types are therefore considered not only as parts of a single farmstead, but also as a subject of architectural heritage. The trail runs mostly through green meadows and descends gently throughout; it is also suitable for less experienced hikers.

Gohl’s history also includes the ancestral castle of the Barons of Spitzenberg, which they built on Spitzenegg in Gohl. This connection adds local history to the trails’ cultural themes.

Planning Your Stay

Various hikes and cycling tours are offered from Mettlen Campsite in Gohl. The campsite is set amid the natural scenery of the Emmental in a peaceful and beautiful location; there is a bus stop right next to it. Langnau im Emmental is about six kilometres from Mettlen Campsite. There, you’ll find an outdoor and indoor swimming pool, a local history museum, an ice rink, a fitness centre, and shopping opportunities. The distance is specifically measured from this starting point.

Other local amenities can also help you plan your visit: Jägerhus Restaurant in Gohl serves hearty cuisine. Bluttenried is one of the barbecue areas maintained by the Gohl local association. Together with the themed trails, these places and amenities offer different ways to plan a stay in Gohl around your own interests.

Discover more destinations: Schangnau, Lauperswil, Röthenbach in Emmental, Oberfrittenbach, Langnau in Emmental, Rüderswil, Signau, Eggiwil

Go to the main travel overview: Signau.