Entlebuch Biosphere

The Entlebuch was a poor and rather disregarded corner of Lucerne until the region turned that around: it holds the densest concentration of raised and transitional bogs in Switzerland along with extensive karst, and in 2001 it became a UNESCO biosphere reserve - a designation the local communes actively sought and approved at the ballot box, which is unusual and is the fact locals mention first. Around four hundred square kilometres are covered. The Schrattenfluh is a limestone pavement of clints and grikes on a scale rare north of the Alps; the Salwidili and Chli Entlen bogs have boardwalks; the Bergland around Sorenberg holds the Brienzer Rothorn. Farming continues throughout under the reserve's rules.

What you actually see

• Switzerland's densest bog landscape - raised and transitional peat under protection.
• The Schrattenfluh - a limestone pavement of clints and grikes.
• A biosphere voted in - the communes approved the designation themselves.
• Boardwalk bog trails - at Salwidili and the Chli Entlen.

When to go

May to October. A day.

Honest expectations

The appeal is subtle - bog, pasture and limestone rather than dramatic peaks. Boardwalks exist to protect the peat; stepping off damages it. Weather here is wet by regional standards. Public transport reaches the villages, not the trailheads.

Nearby

Sorenberg and the Brienzer Rothorn are south; Lucerne is north-east.