Nidwaldner Höhenweg
Overview
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Distance 22 km
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Duration 8 h
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Ascent 1500 m
Intro
After the ascent to Brunnihütte at 1860 m you hike on the famous Walenweg path with the magnificent Walegg vantage point and superb views of the Central Alps. In the 1930s, the Bannalpsee lake was the source of a fierce dispute over the energy supply.
Description
Angel Mountain, as the founders of the Benedictine monastery named the town in 1120, is a popular tourist destination. The appearance of the village of Engelberg is dominated by the impressive monastery and the church. At the current time, about 30 monks still live and work here. Starting at the train station and passing the monastery, the tour soon turns into a test of endurance. It takes around two hours just to get to Ristis. Continuing on a wide road, Brunni Hut is reached in another hour or so. This is probably the only hut of the Swiss Alpine Club with its own chairlift station. It is located at Härzlisee Lake. There is a trail going all around the lake, a so-called barefoot path. The view of the mountains of Central Switzerland is spectacular, especially Mt. Titlis, at 3238 m the highest mountain of this region.
The route now changes to a narrow path. At Sädelegg, the last viewpoint in the direction of Engelberg and Titlis, you start walking around the Walenstöcke. After a little over an hour of pure joy on the trail, you get to Walenalp with a campfire site and a lovely view of the Mittelland region. Climbing up another 250 m in altitude, past the dominant Gross and Chli Chälen Mountains, takes you to the magnificent lookout at Walegg, the highest point of the tour. The reward is a fantastic view of Bannalpsee. The path now continues in the direction of the lake located in the midst of gorgeous mountain scenery. After about an hour, the trail crosses Bannalp Creek, which feeds the lake.
Near Kreuzhütte, which can be reached by gondola, the path turns to the right, heading for Brisen Mountain along the green hillside and through the forest. After another hut (Haghütte) the pleasant trail turns again and begins to steepen somewhat for the remaining 600 altitude meters downhill. It takes a good hour to reach the Fell gondola station, but just a few minutes later you arrive in Oberrickenbach, the end of today’s stage.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Engelberg
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Oberrickenbach
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| Direction |
One way
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| Altitude (meter above sea level) |
1500 m
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| Ascent |
1500 m
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| Descent |
1600 m
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| Distance |
22 km
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| Duration |
8 h
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| Duration back |
8 h 15 min
|
| Technical requirements |
Medium
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| Physical requirements |
Difficult
|
| Season |
May - October
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| Theme |
To an alp, With panoramic view
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Quick Facts
Route number
