This is Melchsee-Frutt
The car-free holiday resort of Melchsee-Frutt lies on a high plateau with three mountain lakes and is popular with families. The small village consists mainly of hotels, chalets and holiday apartments, with only a few year-round residents. It is located in the canton of Obwalden in Central Switzerland, around 30 kilometres from Lucerne.
Discover Melchsee-Frutt
Reach the high plateau by bus from Sarnen and gondola lift from Stöckalp. The panoramic lift takes you from upper Frutt to Lake Melchsee, where a viewing platform offers views of the Obwalden mountains. Visit the small chapel on the northeastern shore of Lake Melchsee. On the family-friendly Fruttli Trail, learn more about marmots. From the village, a 20-minute walk takes you to the Edelweiss-Bänkli bench with views of Mount Titlis.
Three mountain lakes on the high plateau
Lake Melchsee, Lake Tannensee and the small Blauseeli lie close together on Melchsee-Frutt. In summer, you can fish for trout and Arctic char with a fishing permit. In winter, ice fishing is possible on Lake Melchsee and Lake Tannensee. There are barbecue spots along the lakeshores.
Snow sports for the whole family
In winter, 16 lifts serve more than 35 kilometres of ski slopes at elevations between 1,080 and 2,255 metres. Wide slopes await at Balmeregghorn and Erzegg, while Bonistock offers steeper descents. At Fruttli-Land, children learn to ski using a dedicated lift. Follow the sledging run down to Stöckalp. There are also 15 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, winter hiking paths and marked snowshoe routes.
Around Melchsee-Frutt
The Four Lakes Hike leads from Lake Melchsee via Lake Tannensee, Lake Engstlensee and Joch Pass to Lake Trübsee and Engelberg. With a little luck, you may spot bearded vultures, chamois or ibex. The hike takes six hours, but you can shorten it using chairlifts and mountain railways. In Flüeli-Ranft, visit the 15th-century hermitage of Switzerland's patron saint, Brother Klaus. Nearby, the Hohe Brücke is Europe's highest covered wooden bridge, standing 100 metres above the gorge.
Experience Melchsee-Frutt for less
If you stay overnight in Obwalden, you receive the digital
Obwalden Guest Card, which offers discounts on mountain railways, museums and excursions in the region. The
Lucerne Travel Pass is valid as far as Bonistock.
