Luthern: Pilgrimage and the Napf Region
Accommodation in Luthern
Luthern is located in the characteristic rolling hills of the Napf region. Different areas of interest can help you plan your trip: the protected historic village center, the pilgrimage sites in Luthern Bad, and trails through the Napf landscape. Luthern Bad, at the foot of the Napf, includes the BadbrĂĽnnli spring, a chapel, the arm and foot bath, and a church.
Pilgrimage and architectural history
Since 1581, Luthern Bad has been a well-known Marian pilgrimage site at the foot of the Napf, and is also popularly known as the “Einsiedeln of the little man.” Its pilgrimage history is associated with the Badbrünnli spring and a miraculous dream experienced by the sick family father Jakob Minder on the night before Pentecost in 1581. The first pilgrimage chapel was built in 1583/1584; the pilgrimage site also includes the so-called rear chapel, dating from 1863, with a healing spring.
Pilgrim services and blessings for the sick are held regularly in the pilgrimage church. The entrance hall houses an 18th-century Spanish Madonna, surrounded by numerous votive tablets. The present-day pilgrimage church was built in 1949. Every year, the Ulrich blessing is given on the patronal feast day, July 4.
In the village of Luthern stands the parish church of St. Ulrich, built in 1752/53 by Jakob Singer and Johann Josef Purtschert. It is one of the richest Rococo churches in the Canton of Lucerne. Opposite is the rectory, built in 1781 to a design by Jakob Singer. Behind it stands an 18th-century wooden farm building, one of the few remaining parish barns in Central Switzerland. On a hill above the village stands the Heuberg Chapel, built in 1502 and also known as “Heuberg-Chäppeli”; a Way of the Cross leads from the village to the chapel. The historic village center can be visited on a 90-minute guided tour. Confirm the date in advance, as availability and booking conditions may vary.
Luthern Bad: spring and visitor information
The pilgrimage chapel, BadbrĂĽnnli spring, and arm and foot bath in Luthern Bad are open daily and free to access; the entire site is wheelchair accessible. The bathing area has a central fountain and two side basins for arm bathing, walking in the water, and foot baths. Visitors can drink the spring water or take some home.
Parking is available in Luthern Bad. From there, an approximately 300-meter wheelchair-accessible footpath leads to the chapel and the arm and foot bath. If you travel by public transport, you can reach Luthern Bad by PostBus from Zell railway station. The snowshoe trails start right at the “Luthern Bad, Dreilindenplatz” stop; check the current timetable before traveling.
Hiking trails and seasonal tours
Luthern Bad is a starting point for hikes on the Napf. The route via Trachselegg leads to the 1,408-meter-high Napf summit, which offers panoramic views. For a winter outing, there is the 3.8-kilometer Hinter-Ey snowshoe trail, a circular route from Luthern Bad via Hinter-Ey and Badegg back to the starting point. The Napf snowshoe trail leads to the summit and returns to Luthern Bad via Niederänzi and Badegg. Both snowshoe trails are seasonal offerings, and access depends on snow conditions.
The LUTRUN hiking trail follows the Luthern stream. Another option is the Luthertal Legends Trail, with wooden sculptures and signs describing the legends associated with them. The trail is well signposted throughout, and there are two barbecue areas along the route. As they may occasionally be affected by maintenance work, check their condition before using them.
The “Lea and Ben with the suckler cows” adventure trail is a 4.67-kilometer circular route that starts and ends at the Luthern Bad PostBus terminus. Stations and games along the way teach visitors about suckler cow farming and how to behave around cattle and calves. Opening days vary by season.
More trails and local character
Cycling is also an option in the region: the bike adventure route from Luthern crosses the hills and valleys of the Napf region and offers views of the Swiss Plateau and the Alps. The three-day Veloland Route 399, the Herzschlaufe Napf, circles the Napf and is signposted in both directions.
For a taste of local food production, Napf-Chäsi offers hands-on courses in cheesemaking and butter shaping throughout the year by prior arrangement. The self-service “Luther-Lädeli” shop in Luthern Bad stocks local products. The annual village calendar includes the Tanneschleipfete, featuring a colorful procession through the village and an auction of a fir tree and a piglet. Dates and details may vary from year to year; check current event information before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Hofstatt, Pfaffnau, Gettnau, Ufhusen, Reiden, Willisau, Dagmersellen, Wauwil.
Back to the main travel overview: Willisau.
