From cliff walks to cable car safaris to historical masterpieces, here’s what to do and where to go in Engelberg
Put simply, Engelberg is a magnificent region for anyone wanting to experience the ‘real Switzerland’. Located 25 kilometres south of Lake Lucerne and set within a mountainous valley, it’s a unique geographical region, reflected in its scenery and landscape – the pinnacle of which is undoubtedly the incredible Titlis mountain, which provides a spectacular backdrop to many activities within the area.
Speaking of activities, you’ll be spoilt for choice when looking for great things to do. From outdoor pursuits to historical hotpots to family-friendly activities, Engelberg is bursting with possibilities.
To get you inspired we’ve selected some of our favourite activities and experiences plucked from around Engelberg this summer. There’s something for everyone in our list below – with a big focus on enjoying the great outdoors and soaking up every drop of summer – but for even more ideas, click here and start planning your idyllic Engelberg getaway.
If the Titlis mountain isn’t enough of an adventure for you, try the Titlis Cliff Walk, a nerve-wracking 150 steps across a bridge suspended 500 metres from the ground, which itself is 3,041 metres-above-sea-level. Once you’ve conquered the bridge, your route takes you through the incredible glacier cave, formed of ice up to 5,000 years old. The cave walkway will take you ten metres below the glacier surface, so remember to wrap up warm, as the temperature is a chilly -1.5˚C
Engelberg is overflowing with amazing hikes and deciding which one to do can be difficult. So, start with one of the very best. Lasting around 6.5 hours, the tried-and-tested Four Lakes walk is packed with stunning scenery, but the main attraction is, of course, the deep blue waters of those four lakes: Lake Trüb, Lake Engstlen, Lake Tannen and Lake Melch. Along the way you’ll encounter views of the Bernese Alps, hilly moorland, sky-high plateaus and great restaurants to refuel at. If your legs tire on-route, you can even do part of the journey using the local chairlift!
Feeling up for a challenge? Embark on the Stanserhorn-Engelberg ridge hike and rack-up 26km over approximately ten hours of walking. For the full, authentic experience, we recommend breaking up the journey by staying overnight in a tent on Alp Laucheren. It’s a demanding route but you’ll be fully rewarded with incredible views at every turn, some of which are viewable before the walking even begins, as the first part of the route is an open-air cable car. Once you reach your destination in Engelberg, treat yourself to another well-deserved reward and book into one of the town’s many lovely hotels. Those who like to plan ahead can even book a package which takes care of everything in advance: the train from Stans to Stanserhorn, an overnight stay in a tent on Alp Laucheren (including half-board), an overnight stay in an Engelberg hotel (with breakfast included) and luggage transfer. It’s the perfect hassle-free package and you can book it by following the link below.
Cheese-lovers, this one’s for you. The Alpine Cheese Trail is a 47-kilometre route around Engelberg connecting seven Alpine cheese dairies, some located at almost 2,000 metres-above-sea-level. Okay, so 47 kilometres may be a bit much to attempt in one go, but fear not, as you can simply dip in and out of the various stages according to where you want to go and how much walking you want to undertake – coupled with how much cheese you think you can eat. And as you may have guessed, the dairies are framed by gorgeous Alpine landscape. If you want to enjoy that landscape in unique fashion, consider a whey bath in front of the Gerschnialp dairy, set at the foot of the Titlis mountain – an unusual but surprisingly relaxing experience.
If you haven’t heard of buiräbähnli, now’s the time to get acquainted. These cable cars were formerly used by famers among the mountains as a quicker way of getting around, but nowadays they’re mainly used by visitors who want to enjoy the glorious views of the Engelberg Valley offered by being up in the sky. The ‘Buiräbähnli Safari’ route covers 46 kilometres (and approximately 3,700 metres in altitude) and can be split into sections that are attemped over different days – ideal to combine with a multi-day hike. Get ready for a whole new view of the world, from way up above.
It’s no secret that Engelberg is a haven for cyclists, who love the steep hill climbs and speedy descents scattered all around the region. But even if you’re not a hardened bike-obsessive there are still plenty of cycle trails to enjoy, whatever your level of experience. The Jochpass trails are a sure-fire winner with cyclists of all abilities, but especially with mountain bikers. These routes provide rugged terrain aplenty and fantastic downhill sections that allow riders to get a prime view of the glorious Alpine scenery surrounding them. Plus, the Jochpass trails can be reached easily by chair-lift, meaning that you get to save your energy for where it’s really needed: in the saddle.
Boasting six via ferretas, eight ‘climbing gardens’ and countless bouldering spots, Engelberg has become known as one of Switzerland’s premium climbing destinations. The via ferreta routes are always popular, offering a chance for both first-time climbers and experienced professionals to safely clamber across some of Engelberg’s most beautiful locations. One for the experienced climbers is the Fürenwand via ferreta, a steep and exposed route that provides spectacular scenery for all those who attempt it.
Younger visitors to Engelberg are also extremely well-catered for, especially if you take them to the Trübsee Adventure Playground. This huge, wildly imaginative play-paradise will delight the kids, and if you want to go all-out (which we’re pretty sure the kids will), there’s even a treasure hunt around the lake. This adventure trail takes around an hour to complete and will keep children thoroughly entertained, with numerous rest spots, picnic areas and barbecue grills along the way.
The famous Benedictine Monastery of Engelberg is an essential sightseeing highlight for culture-seekers and history fans. Founded in 1120 AD, the monastery has had a profound effect on the local area, which can still be seen today. It’s also a magnificent building to view, particularly the baroque church, which features distinctive altar artwork by acclaimed German painter Franz Joseph Spiegler and the largest pipe organ in Switzerland.
