Starting from Wolhusen, you follow the Kleine Emme upstream to Entlebuch, gateway to the eponymous UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The ascent of the Glaubenberg pass (alt. 1540m) is on a minor road for 15km with 920m of up. After four kilometers, you encounter a level stretch at Finsterwald before the next eight kilometers with a few changes of gradient.  The summit marks the border with Canton Obwalden, and the descent rewards you with superb views of the mountains and Lake Sarnen.

Once in Sarnen, you follow the lake to Giswil, to start the climb to the next pass, the Glaubenbielen (alt. 1611m). The road taking you there is the famous, and narrow, Panoramastrasse. At its steepest, 12%, this pass is no pushover, with 1131m of climbing over a distance of 13km.

The descent down a wider road takes you back to Canton Lucerne. Stop along the way to admire the karst of the Schrattenflue, jewel of the Entlebuch.

You reach the foot of the descent just before Schöpfheim and return to Entlebuch. The final leg back to Wolhusen takes you up one last hill on a minor road away from the traffic.

This loop is part of the “Top Road Cycling Routes” created by Alain for the Switzerland Tourism website.