Go for a Hike in Marbachegg, Switzerland

Do you have a favorite mountain? Sadly, I haven't found one to call my own yet but I recently discovered that this is a "thing" among people in Switzerland. During my last trip, we made a visit to my Uncle's favorite peak - Schibengütsch - in Marbachegg, Switzerland. Located on the north side of the Schrattenfluh limestone mountains of Lucerne, Marbachegg is right along the Emmental valley and part of the UNESCO Biosphere Entelbuch.

You've probably never heard of Marbachegg and that means it's a great place to visit if you are looking for something off the beaten path. When I visited it seemed like a popular spot for locals but I didn't come across any tourists.

Take a ride on the Gondola, enjoy something to eat and drink at the Berggasthaus Marbachegg Restaurant, and then head off for a hike! We decided on a one-way Gondola ride to the top and then a hike down the mountain with views of the Emmental Valley - yes this is where the famous Emmental cheese comes from.  The forested hills and farm-land make quite the view!

Marbachegg and the Best Wurstsalat I've Ever Had

A salad made with "Wurst"(Sausage) might sound odd, but I assure you that it is absolutely wonderful and extremely delicious. It's something that has always reminded me of the first time I tried it. I was a young kid visiting my Grandparents in Switzerland and my Grossi (Grandma) made a homemade Wurst Salad with swiss sausage, fresh tomatoes, hardboiled eggs and a Swiss-style dressing. From the first, bite I was hooked.

What sausage is used in this dish? Well of course the favorite sausage of the Swiss - a Cervelat! It's estimated that each person living in Switzerland eats between 14 - 20 of these tasty sausages per year, making it Switzerland's most consumed sausage.

During an outing to my Uncle's favorite mountain hiking spot, we stopped at Berggasthaus Marbachegg Restaurant and I had THE BEST WURSTSALAT I've ever tasted. In addition to the Cervela salad, it was served with a bunch of small side salads including curried corn salad, carrot salad, and bell pepper salad. And to top it off, a crusty piece of bread and some fruit. PERFECTION!

5 Things to do During Your Visit to Cliff House Aescher-Wildkirchli

A must-see on any trip to Switzerland, the Berggasthaus Aescher-Wildkirchli is located in Ebenalps of the Appenzell region. Known as being one of the most traditional cantons (Switzerland is made up of 26 member states called cantons) in Switzerland, Appenzell is known for it's rural landscape of old farmhouses set on beautiful rolling hills. I've heard Swiss people from other more "modern" Swiss cities mention that Appenzell is the most "backwards" of all of the Swiss cantons. In fact, Appenzell was the last canton to extend the right to vote to women in 1991. And this didn't happen until two women in the canton filed a lawsuit! But this unique and stubborn character is what makes Appenzell special today - it remains quintessentially Swiss and a great place to visit to get a sense of what Switzerland is all about.

The cliff house restaurant and hotel, Berggasthaus Aescher-Wildkirchli, is a truly unique place and has recently been featured on many travel lists as a top destination to visit in Switzerland. If you are planning on adding a visit to your itinerary, here are 5 things that you won't want to miss!

1. Take a Ride on the Ebenalp Gondola 

The cable car runs every 15 minutes and offers a lovely 6 minute ride that is sure to make you "oohhh" and "ahhh" as you make the ascent up into the Ebenalps.