The Kleine Emme rises as the Waldemme in the southwestern corner of the canton of Obwalden, in the Brienzer Rothorn massif at the Emmensprung, flowing north-west along the Mariental, past Sörenberg. Turning north, it enters the Entlebuch region, where it is joined by the Weissemme near Schüpfheim and by the Entlen at Entlebuch.