Hint

Intro

Engelberg’s Grotto Trail leads to the «End of the World». This high-altitude path takes walkers through a snowy landscape with views of Engelberg, past the famous «seven springs», and on to the Lourdes grotto and Horbis.

Description

The Grotto Trail that leads to the «End of the World» – the place where the Horbis valley suddenly comes to an end – offers winter hikers spectacular views of the Titlis, the Hahnen, the Gross Spannort, and the Chli Spannort.

The trail starts at Engelberg railway station and leads down to the end of Dorfstrasse. There, by the Abbey chapel, you follow the steps up to the road, from where the Grotto Trail branches off. At Klostermatte you can see the next generation of top skiers playfully practising their first moves on the slopes in the family skiing area «Globi’s Kinderland». The signposted high-altitude path leads past the «seven springs», where crystal clear water bubbles from the earth in summer but which are covered in snow and ice in winter. Once the edge of the forest is reached, you come across the next interesting feature of this walk: the Lourdes chapel. The statue of the Virgin Mary is clearly visible on its rocky ledge. This is a good place to pause for thought, and you can light a candle if you wish. After that, you stride on over the bridge and walk along the Bärenbach stream on to Horbis, the so called «End of the World».

It turns out the end of the world is neither gloomy nor chilly, nor dark nor dangerous – instead there’s a snug restaurant where you can warm your cold hands with a steaming cup of coffee, with or without a drop of something. Once the cosy room has worked its magic, you can return to Engelberg with new energy running through your veins – but it’s good to know there is a free bus service available from Neuschwändi should you need it.

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

Technical information

Show Technical information content
Start location
Engelberg
Destination
Engelberg
Ascent
170 m
Descent
170 m
Distance
6 km
Duration
2 h 5 min
Physical requirements
Medium
Signalization
Signalisation in both directions
More information https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/winter-hiking/route...

Map

SwitzerlandMobility Map: This element is not accessible for disabled people.

Contact

Engelberg-Titlis Tourismus AG
Klosterstrasse 3
6390  Engelberg

Phone  +41 (0)41 639 77 77
welcome@engelberg.ch
engelberg.ch

Quick Facts

Route number

No. 530

Distance

6 km

Duration

2 h 5 min

Ascent

170 m

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