Nidwaldner Höhenweg, Stage 1/6

The view from the Stanserhorn over the alpine chain and ten lakes is magnificent. After the descent to Ächerli, the Holzwang chapel commemorates the French raid of 1798. A root path climbs to the Arvigrat ridge. The Wagenleis canyon is the geological highlight of the stage that finishes via Schluchigrat ridge at the Storegg pass.

The long mountain hike along this panoramic ridge begins at the Stanserhorn station. Right at the start, the revolving restaurant lies close to the trail. The mountain path then descends across open pastures and through forest to Chrinnen and onwards into Ächerli. This first descent brings the route to its lowest point at around 1,400 m.

The long counter-ascent now follows. The path climbs steadily across alpine pastures to reach the Arvigrat. From here, the route continues over the open ridge in a succession of pronounced ascents and descents. Near Schluchberg, the hike reaches its highest point at around 2,090 m. Towards the end, the terrain becomes rockier before Lachengrätli is reached.

The final section continues to the Storeggpass. After 13 kilometres and a good five and a half hours, the hike ends there, having covered around 1,150 metres of ascent and 1,300 metres of descent. The destination is not served by public transport; the nearest stop, Melchtal, gedeckte Brücke, is around two and a half kilometres away.