Hike /Nidwalden Tourismus
Isenthal Natural History High Trail, Route 2
St. Jakob
- Distance
- 8.7 km
- Duration
- 3:20 h
- Ascent
- 710 m
- Descent
- 713 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Fitness
- Moderate
- Route type
- Loop
- Season
- June - October
01/ Overview
The route
A natural history circuit through forest and across alpine pastures: around 710 metres of ascent and a scenic high point near Chli Schlieren define this hike from St. Jakob.
The approximately nine-kilometre circuit begins at the St. Jakob PostBus stop. The mountain path, marked in white-red-white, initially climbs through the forest towards Chimiboden and Witental. Along the way, the natural history high trail highlights the rich variety of flora and fauna in the federal game reserve; an accompanying booklet provides further background information.
The route continues via Ober Rüteli to Biwaldalp. Alternating between forest and open alpine pastures, it gains height steeply and, after just over four kilometres, reaches its highest point at around 1,690 m, near Chli Schlieren. For the ascent, the route information offers a choice between an easier forest path and a steeper mountain path.
The path then descends via Jäntli and through Gross Wald. Passing Rütli, the circuit returns to St. Jakob after just over three hours, with the PostBus stop only a few steps away.
02/ Along the route
What's along the way
Where the route climbs and where it descends. Hover the profile to find the spot on the map.
03/ Conditions
Current conditions
What to know before you set off. Closures and snow are re-checked every day.
How we check: Every night we match the route against the official closures and detours from the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). Any reported closure that touches the route shows up here.
How we check: We look up a live public transport connection from your starting point to the stop closest to the trailhead. If it ends further away, the nearest stop may be a cable car or bus that isn't running right now.
How we check: Snow depth estimated daily at the lowest and the highest point of the route. Estimates: check the situation on site.
04/ Getting there
Getting there
From your door to the trailhead and home again, by train and bus or by car. Computed live from the timetable.
Or from
Outbound
Return
05/ Weather
Weather on the way
Forecast for the lowest and the highest point of the route.
Weather
06/ Trail & landscape
Trail & landscape
Which paths you walk on and the landscape they lead through.
Larches count as conifer forest here.
07/ Export
Take the route with you
Load the track onto your GPS device, print a route sheet for the trail or send the route to your hiking group.
Share
Send the link to friends or your hiking group.
Export GPX File
For hiking apps, GPS watches and navigation devices.
Print Route Sheet
A4 with map, elevation profile, waypoints and emergency numbers.
