Discover Zollbrück

Zollbrück brings together a history shaped by the Emme and a variety of trails through the surrounding area. The Emme leisure trail is a circular route from Zollbrück railway station via Rüderswil, Wartenstein Castle ruins and Lauperswil, before returning. The Emmental Farm Trail has a different focus: nature, animals and agriculture. The town’s bridge history also plays a defining role, offering a way to explore its development.

Bridge history on the Emme

On 28 October 1551, Bern gave the residents of the upper Emmental communities permission to build a bridge across the Emme. The later Zollbrücke bridge was the origin of today’s town. A flood swept the bridge away in 1837; the replacement was inaugurated in August 1840. After the Zollbrücke burned down in 1947, a concrete bridge has connected the two parts of the municipality ever since. This sequence tells the story of Zollbrück’s origins and the changes to its bridge: crossing the Emme is linked both to the town’s beginnings and to its later history.

The Emme leisure trail and Wartenstein Castle ruins

The Emme leisure trail starts at Zollbrück railway station and initially follows the Emme to Rüderswil. The circular route returns to Zollbrück via Wartenstein Castle ruins and Lauperswil. At 18 virtual stops, you can find information and background stories on topics including the gold rush, medieval paths, castles and churches. The route therefore highlights both cultural history and the riverside trail.

The section of the Emme leisure trail alongside the river is flat and follows a well-maintained hiking path. This description applies to the riverside section, not necessarily to the entire circular route. You can follow the leisure trail at any time without a reservation or advance registration; weather conditions may affect accessibility. From Zollbrück, Wartenstein Castle ruins can be reached via Lauperswil or Blindenbach on a hike of about an hour, with some sections being somewhat steep. The ruins are accessible only on foot.

Emmental Farm Trail

The Emmental Farm Trail runs between Ramsei and Zollbrück. It starts and ends at either Ramsei or Zollbrück railway station. Along the approximately 7.3-kilometre route, interactive quiz stations introduce topics such as nature, animals, plants, biodiversity and Swiss agriculture. Unlike the historical stories and virtual stops on the Emme leisure trail, the focus here is on nature and agriculture.

The route links two railway stations as possible starting and finishing points with quiz stops that reflect its themes. There is a barbecue spot along the Farm Trail where you can take a break. The two trails therefore differ mainly in their themes and the stops described: the Emme leisure trail covers topics including the gold rush, medieval paths and castles, while the Farm Trail focuses on nature and agriculture.

A look at nearby Moosegg

Nearby Moosegg offers another excursion to complement your visit to Zollbrück. At an altitude of 950 metres, it has a viewpoint overlooking the Alps and the Emmental. During the summer months, open-air theatre performances take place at Moosegg, including plays with a strong connection to the Emmental. In addition to the trails along the Emme, the surrounding area thus offers a viewpoint and seasonal theatre performances as regional attractions.

Discover more destinations: Oberfrittenbach, Langnau im Emmental, Signau, Röthenbach im Emmental, Gohl, Schangnau, Rüderswil, Lauperswil.

Go to the main travel overview: Signau.