Nidwaldner Höhenweg
Overview
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Distance 13 km
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Duration 4 h 50 min
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Ascent 1200 m
Intro
You follow the Benediktusweg (Benedictine path) to Niederrickenbach, where the shop run by nuns sells Alpine herb tea made from herbs they have gathered. Further on past beautiful sycamore trees you reach the Brisenhaus SAC hut at the foot of the Brisen.
Description
Oberrickenbach is part of the community of Wolfenschiessen, situated at 894 m on the right side of the Engelberg Valley. The walk begins on a paved road. Looking down to the valley, it is impossible to miss the beautiful church with Wellenberg Mountain towering behind it. The path continues to Brändlen which is reached in just over an hour. The first 400 altitude meters could have been cut short, as Nidwalden is known as the cable car region. Many of these were built to provide access to remote pastures and alps and most of them are also used for tourism. A last look back at the Walenstöcke Mountains is recommended before dipping into Steinalper Forest. The 57-hectare forest protection area is known for its wide variety of lichens, including very rare and endangered species.
Car-free Niederrickenbach on the other side of the forest is a small village known as a pilgrimage destination. It is situated around the Maria Rickenbach Benedictine monastery. The latter was built in 1864 north of the St. Maria pilgrimage chapel at Ahorn. The statue of St. Maria which is housed here is shrouded in legend. It is said to have been saved by a young shepherd when images of catholic saints were destroyed during the Reformation. The young man hid the statue in a hollow maple tree on the mountain. When he was ready to return to the valley in the fall, he could not remove the statue from the tree. It was impossible to do so until a chapel was built at that location. This was the beginning of the pilgrimage. About 15,000 people have visited Niederrickenbach every year during the 19th century.
Uphill, past beautiful mountain maples, you approach the Brisenhaus SAC hut at 1753 m. It is today’s destination of the tour, reached in just two more hours. The hut is located at the foot of majestic Brisen Mountain (2404 m) and offers marvellous long-distance views of Mt. Pilatus, Rigi Mountain and the Mittelland region.
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 |
Oberrickenbach
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Brisenhaus
|
| Direction |
One way
|
| Altitude (meter above sea level) |
1500 m
|
| Ascent |
1200 m
|
| Descent |
360 m
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| Distance |
13 km
|
| Duration |
4 h 50 min
|
| Duration back |
4 h
|
| Technical requirements |
Medium
|
| Physical requirements |
Difficult
|
| Season |
June - October
|
| Theme |
With panoramic view, To an alp
|
Quick Facts
Route number
