ViaJacobi
Overview
Intro
Following the first ascent after Stans, impressive views open up to Stanser Boden, the Vierwaldstättersee and the Innerschweiz mountain peaks. Highpoint at the end of the section is the hermitage of Niklaus von Flüe and the Ranft chapels.
Description
With a population of 8,000 and two monasteries, Stans is the capital of the canton of Nidwalden. The stage begins on the historic village square with the Winkelried fountain. Shortly afterwards, you cross the more than 100-year-old funicular railway with its nostalgic valley station. The carriages lead across lush meadows to the Kälti intermediate station, where you can take the Cabrio cable car to the Stanserhorn, Stans' local mountain.
Shortly afterwards, the road turns into a path with views of Mount Pilatus. You reach St. Jakob after one and a half hours along meadows and short sections through the forest. Another hour later, now walking mainly on asphalt, you are above Wisserlen and St. Anton. The views around here extend from Mount Pilatus over Lake Sarnen to the Brienzer Rothorn.
At the chapel of St. Niklausen, you descend the stairs to the Grosse Melchaa. Soon after crossing the river, the trail climbs back to your final destination at Flüeli-Ranft. A relatively short stage of the Trans Swiss Trail ends here after about four and a half hours.
Flüeli-Ranft was the home of the hermit and ascetic Niklaus von Flüe, also known as Brother Klaus. He had a great deal of influence on 15th-century Switzerland as a politician, mystic and visionary. Flüeli-Ranft has remained a popular place of pilgrimage to this day. Information panels along the trail provide insight into Niklaus von Flüe's life and work.
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 |
Stans
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Flüeli-Ranft
|
| Direction |
One way
|
| Ascent |
740 m
|
| Descent |
480 m
|
| Distance |
17 km
|
| Duration |
5 h
|
| Duration back |
4 h 35 min
|
| Technical requirements |
Easy
|
| Physical requirements |
Medium
|
| Season |
March - October
|
| Theme |
With panoramic view
|
Quick Facts
Route number
