Emmental, Valley with dairy farms in Bern, Switzerland
The Emmental is a valley in Switzerland with gentle hills, green meadows, and scattered farmhouses. The landscape alternates between pastures, forests, and small villages that fit naturally into the rolling terrain.
The valley became home to dairy farmers early on, who refined their cheese-making skills over time. This reputation grew across centuries until the region's name became linked to a specific type of cheese.
Cheese-making shapes daily life in the farm communities, where visitors can watch milk being processed in dairies and aging rooms. The large wheels are stored in cool cellars and tended by hand, a craft passed down through generations in these farming villages.
The valley is reachable by train, with Burgdorf and Langnau serving as main access points. The best season is spring through autumn when paths are clear and farms are actively working.
Some farmhouses have roofs that extend nearly to the ground to shield the building from heavy snow and rain. This construction style is typical of the region and gives it a distinctive appearance.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.