Naturbrücke Räbloch
3537 Eggiwil, Switzerland, Eggiwil
Beautiful natural bridge. Parking +/- 20 minutes hike distance. Only for people without fear of heights and with solid hiking shoes and good fitness
A beautiful spot – very peaceful and quiet. It might be unsuitable for people with a fear of heights, as the descent from the parking lot through the forest is very steep and involves a significant drop. The natural bridge is extremely impressive and sits quite high above the gorge. The walk from the parking lot takes about 15–20 minutes.
A truly fantastic view! Although the descent is secured with railings, I still recommend very grippy footwear – especially when the ground is wet, it can get very slippery in certain places.
The gorge was formed beneath glacial ice. Even during the last Ice Age, the Räbloch, unlike the rest of the Emmental region, was covered in ice. The Emme Glacier extended as far as the northern end of the Siehen Plateau near the Chnubel. During the Ice Ages, ice flows and water naturally followed the tectonically predetermined fissures, widening and deepening them. According to current understanding, the truly gorge-like sections of the Räbloch, meaning the deepest 40 to 70 meters, were formed beneath the glacial ice. The natural bridge originated from the lateral splitting and sliding of a conglomerate rock formation, which ultimately became wedged between the two gorge walls. "He who is not afraid to cross over and let his eye plunge into the abyss is already among the braver people and no longer needs to fear purgatory..." (E.A. Türler 1887) Today, a well-maintained hiking trail leads from the Steinmösli nature reserve (parking lot and bus stop EGGIWIL Räbloch) to the natural bridge (one way approx. 20 min.) and from there onwards towards Pfaffenmoos.
Visiting the Räbloch natural bridge in winter can be quite dangerous, depending on the trail conditions. In some cases, a visit must be avoided for safety reasons. For example, during my visit, access from the east side was practically impossible due to icing, while the west side was well-secured and practically ice-free, making it just about manageable with normal hiking gear. It's truly impressive what masses of ice winter can conjure up there, and combined with the sheer scale, the depth, and the imposing appearance, the visit becomes a unique natural experience.
A small natural bridge offers a view of the impressive gorge carved by the Emme River. From the "Hochmoor & Räbloch" parking area, a steep hiking trail leads down into the gorge. The descent involves a 117-meter drop. Sturdy footwear is recommended! Allow 45 minutes for the round trip.