Hike /Schweiz Mobil
Nidwaldner Höhenweg, Stage 3/6
Melchsee-FruttEngelberg
- Distance
- 21.0 km
- Duration
- 6:20 h
- Ascent
- 640 m
- Descent
- 1550 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Fitness
- Hard
- Route type
- One way
- Season
- May - October
01/ Overview
The route
Past four wonderful mountain lakes and over the Jochpass to the monastery village of Engelberg. The nearby imposing mountain world of the Hochstollen, Glogghuis and Titlis bids you welcome. The long descent to Engelberg can be shortened with the aerial cableway.
The hike begins at the Melchsee-Frutt, Dörfli bus stop amid open Alpine pastures. After just a few minutes, the path leads directly to the shore of Melchsee. It then continues to Tannensee and past the Tannalp chapel. The opening section alternates between a broad hiking trail and a mountain path, while the houses of Melchsee-Frutt quickly recede into the distance.
The route continues across broad pastures to Engstlensee. From the lakeshore, the mountain path climbs steeply to Jochpass. At around 2,210 m, this is the highest point of the hike, close to Rot Nollen. After just over three and a half hours, the long descent towards Engelberg begins.
Initially, the route descends through open terrain to Trüebsee. Below the lake, the path continues to lose elevation rapidly, reaching the valley floor towards the end. It follows the Engelberger Aa for a short stretch before the first houses of Engelberg come into view. After just over six hours, the hike ends at Engelberg station.
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.
There may be snow on this hiking trail. Bring appropriate gear and plan accordingly.
How we check: SLF only publishes its snow maps from November 1. Until then we roughly estimate the snow depth at the lowest and the highest point of the route every day from the nearest SLF measuring stations. 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/ Snow
Snow on the route
Snow depths, new snow and forecast. Estimates: check the situation on site before you set off.
Snow Info
08/ 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.
