Stage 02 Burgdorf, 25.6 Km (47.3 Km)

Highlight of the day: I didn't expect so many altitude meters. Is the Jakobsweg like this everywhere?

After a generous breakfast, I start early again. This way, I have more hours to enjoy the hike and the breaks. Although I still feel fit, I have to accept that my body needs more breaks to recover for the next steps.

Originally, I wanted to mostly follow the road again, as suggested by my hiking app (Komoot). But in the evening, I saw that I can also follow the Jakobsweg on a section via hiking route 4. Although this path is much more challenging, I prefer it over the asphalt.

Right at the beginning, it's steep uphill and I enjoy a wonderful view back to Huttwil. Then I walk a lot in the forest until suddenly I'm back in the open with a view of the Emmental, which inspires me to write this short poem:

Suddenly, the Emmental opens up with loveliness.

Although I'm actually following hiking route 4, the path is sometimes poorly or even wrongly signposted, which costs me two detours. But again, the weather for hiking is splendid with sun, dryness, and pleasant temperature.

I've already heard about the Lueg, but I didn't know what it actually is. The memorial stone tells me that it commemorates the dead from the First World War from the border occupation of 1914-1918.

A look at the map shows me that it's still a considerable distance to Burgdorf. Actually, I thought that I can already see Burgdorf from here and that it's only downhill from now on.

Unfortunately, the restaurant is closed and I have to continue hiking downhill without a break. Later, I'm faced with the choice of whether to follow hiking route 4 or to follow Komoot, which suggests the way to Heimiswil. Since I haven't familiarized myself enough with the route, I decide to go downhill to Heimiswil, as a farmer mentioned this place along the way.

In Heimiswil, there is also no restaurant, but there is a Volg, where I buy two bananas and a can of beer. The refreshment is good because it quickly goes steep uphill again, steeper than ever before on my hike. At the top, there are a few farmhouses, but the view towards Burgdorf is obscured by the forest.

Apparently, there are many paths that lead downhill. I choose the next one, where I suddenly encounter a singing woman at a fork in the road. Unfortunately, she stops singing as soon as she sees me, so I can't ask her for directions. She is a local and just taking an evening walk. She accompanies me for a while before recommending me a path to get to Burgdorf.

It goes steeply downhill and only in the valley can I see the elevation I have overcome until finally the castle, the landmark of Burgdorf, comes into view.

I quickly go to my Airbnb hosted by Anja, who warmly welcomes me to her oasis.

Link to the hike on Komoot.