Werthenstein: Monastic History and Pilgrim Routes

Werthenstein brings together monastic history, pilgrimage and hiking routes. When looking for a hotel, you can first consider whether you would like to explore the monastery grounds, go for a hike or combine both. The routes differ considerably in the time they take: options range from a tour of about one or two hours to longer pilgrim stages with published distances and walking times.

Monastery, Church and Pilgrimage

The walled monastery grounds occupy a castle-like position on a rocky spur above a bend in the Kleine Emme River. The complex includes a pilgrimage church and secular buildings at the rear. A covered arcade with 45 Tuscan columns surrounds the churchyard. At the church entrance, the Pfyffer chapels flank the entrance; the covered arcade features large-format paintings by artist Kaspar Meglinger. The pulpit also makes a distinctive impression: it is carved from walnut.

The building history can be traced to two periods. The pilgrimage church was built between 1608 and 1613; the monastery building, with its cloister, was constructed in 1635 and 1636. Pilgrimage to Werthenstein gained importance in 1528, after the miraculous image was brought from the chapel in Frybach to the church. The wood-carved sculpture is a Pietà.

A guided tour of the monastery complex takes one hour. Before your visit, check the latest visitor information to confirm whether tours are running. The pilgrimage church is wheelchair accessible, but the monastery itself is not; check these accessibility conditions before your trip. The church’s acoustics and atmosphere regularly provide a setting for musical and theatrical performances. If you are planning to attend one, check the dates.

Hikes and River Landscapes

The hike following in the footsteps of the “Sulzigjoggi” starts at Werthenstein Monastery. The short route takes about one hour, while the long route takes about two hours. The ViaJacobi stage from Lucerne to Werthenstein requires a different time commitment: it is 19 km long, takes 5 hours and 10 minutes, and has 520 metres of ascent. Routes and trail conditions can change; check the information before setting out.

On the ViaJacobi stage to Werthenstein, the trail crosses the Kleine Emme over the old wooden bridge. The covered wooden bridge near Werthenstein was built in 1774 and 1775. Near Werthenstein, the Kleine Emme meanders considerably, forming a wide riverbed with gravel and boulder deposits. The ascent to Chriesbaume offers a panorama along the hike.

The Gnadenbrünneli lies on the ascent from the wooden bridge over the Kleine Emme to the church. There are benches there, and you can light candles you have brought with you. Another pilgrim route is the Himmlische Pfade trail to Werthenstein: it is 31.21 km long and rated difficult. The Himmlische Pfade connects the monastery village of St. Urban with the pilgrimage site of Hergiswald near Lucerne via Luthern Bad, Heiligkreuz in Entlebuch and Werthenstein.

Getting There and Planning Your Stages

Train services from Werthenstein run towards Lucerne, Bern and Langenthal. Bus services head towards Malters, Wolhusen, Romoos and Entlebuch. Check the current timetables for your travel dates. The Emmenuferweg also runs via Wolhusen railway station, Werthenstein, Malters, Littau and Lucerne railway station. This allows you to incorporate a visit to the town into your plans for the relevant route without confusing the published stages and directions with a timetable.

Discover more destinations: Escholzmatt, Marbach, Hasle, Romoos, Schüpfheim, Entlebuch, Flühli.

Back to the main travel overview: Entlebuch.