Hint

Intro

Flüeli affords outstanding views. The varied route follows the shores of the Sarneree and Lungernsee lakes and from Lungern church along the Brünigweg which, as a pilgrimage pfennig (coin) shows, was once a pilgrims’ path.

Description

The stage begins in Flüeli, above Lake Sarnen, with plenty of views. The nearby Ranftschlucht gorge was once where Niklaus von der Flüe lived and worked. You can catch a glimpse of the canyon of the Grosse Melchaa, but the hike takes you downhill on the other side of Flüeli to Sachseln. Cow pastures and forests alternate until you reach the burial chapel of Brother Klaus. The parish and pilgrimage church, completed in 1684, is the village's landmark. Thousands of pilgrims from Switzerland and abroad visit it every year.

The route continues along Lake Sarnen and the railway line to Giswil. The Obwalden village can be reached in about two and a half hours. Many old wooden houses have been preserved in the strikingly unspoilt landscape.

Passing the parish church of St. Laurentius, which sits on a hill near Rudenz, and over the Giswileraa, you soon branch off into the Chaiserstuelwald. After another hour and a half, you reach Kaiserstuhl. With its stunning turquoise water, the natural reservoir was lowered by 18 metres in the 19th century to create 170 hectares of land.

First on a paved road and later on a gravel road, you hike along Lake Lungern to the Dundelbach Falls without visiting Lungern itself. The route continues uphill towards the Brünig Pass, where drystone walls give today's trail an alley-like appearance in many places. The Hagsflue, which is negotiated over a staircase hewn out of the rock, is the most spectacular passage on the trail. The ten steps probably date back to Roman times. The mule track from Lungern to the Brünig Pass climbs around 400 metres over 4.5 kilometres.

With its modest elevation (1,000 m above sea level), the Brünig Pass in the half-canton of Obwalden is the southern portal to the Bernese Oberland, Valais and Italy, and western Switzerland. Influenced by a branch of the Aare glacier, the topography shows wave-like formations dotted with large boulders. The traditional Brünigschwinget (Swiss wrestling festival) has been held amidst this rugged and unspoilt landscape since 1904.

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
Flüeli-Ranft
Destination
Brünigpass
Direction
One way
Ascent
820 m
Descent
540 m
Distance
24 km
Duration
6 h 40 min
Duration back
6 h 20 min
Technical requirements
Medium
Physical requirements
Difficult
Season
May - September
Theme
Along Water, Over a pass
More information https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/r...

Route

ViaJacobi

Rorschach- / Konstanz (D) - Charrot (Grenze)
Learn more about # title #

All stages

Map

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

Quick Facts

Route number

Stage: 8/33

Distance

24 km

Duration

6 h 40 min

Ascent

820 m

Travel information: Sarnen

Current Offers

  • Melchtal Entrance DiscOWer Rope Park Melchsee-Frutt

    With your ticket, you get access either to the rope park in the mountain forest or to the Pfideri... from CHF 18
    Offer details


    valid: 23.05.2026 - 01.11.2026

    Learn more about Entrance DiscOWer Rope Park Melchsee-Frutt
  • Dallenwil Cable Car Ticket Wirzweli from Dallenwil

    With your ticket, you travel between the valley station in Dallenwil (Wirzweli cableway) and the... from CHF 11.80
    Offer details


    valid: 19.05.2026 - 08.11.2026

    Learn more about Cable Car Ticket Wirzweli from Dallenwil
  • Stans Stanserhorn Ticket: Funicular and CabriO

    A ride up the Stanserhorn is a double experience: the first part you ride on a nostalgic funicular... from CHF 41
    Offer details


    valid: 19.05.2026 - 13.11.2026

    Learn more about Stanserhorn Ticket: Funicular and CabriO
  • Stans Paragliding Emmetten Lake Lucerne from Stans

    You experience a paragliding flight over Lake Lucerne in tandem with a professional pilot. The... from CHF 220
    Offer details


    valid: 19.05.2026 - 17.11.2026

    Learn more about Paragliding Emmetten Lake Lucerne from Stans
  • Wirzweli Hiking retreat - Ver.lust: When lust fades

    The idea of losing something makes us feel insecure and creates emptiness. But this holding on costs...
    Offer details


    valid: 25.09.2026 - 27.09.2026

    Learn more about Hiking retreat - Ver.lust: When lust fades
  • Engelberg Titlis Cableways

    * Return ticket for the cable car Engelberg-Titlis* Return ticket Ice Flyer chair lift* Access to... from CHF 124.59
    Offer details


    valid: 19.05.2026 - 16.08.2026

    Learn more about Titlis Cableways
  • Engelberg Trübsee Ticket from Engelberg

    Ride from Engelberg to Trübsee at 1764 m above sea level. The "Titlis Xpress" cable car takes you to... from CHF 38
    Offer details


    valid: 19.05.2026 - 01.11.2026

    Learn more about Trübsee Ticket from Engelberg
  • Engelberg Private snowboard lessons for all ages in Engelberg

    Private snowboard lessons in Engelberg let you improve your technique and control at your own pace.... from CHF 250
    Offer details


    valid: 01.12.2026 - 10.04.2027

    Learn more about Private snowboard lessons for all ages in Engelberg
  • Engelberg Glacier adventure on the Titlis

    On this excursion to the Titlis, you don't have to worry about a thing. Your guide will pick you up... from CHF 425
    Offer details


    valid: 19.05.2026 - 31.12.2026

    Learn more about Glacier adventure on the Titlis