Nidwaldner Höhenweg, Stage 5/6

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.

The hike of just under five hours begins at the Oberrickenbach, alte Post stop. Above the village, the mountain trail soon climbs steeply. Alternating between woodland and open meadows, the route steadily gains altitude. The total ascent is around 1'200 metres. The trail continues via Brändlen in a varied succession of climbs and descents.

Niederrickenbach is reached after about two-thirds of the route. The trail passes the Kapelle Hl. Maria im Ahorn and soon leaves the village again. Open pastures and wooded slopes now define the landscape. Most of the hike follows a white-red-white waymarked mountain trail that demands stamina right to the end.

After around 13 kilometres, the Brisenhaus stands at the highest point of the hike, at approximately 1'750 metres. The route ends here after just under five hours. There is no public transport connection immediately at the destination; the nearest stop, Chälen, is just over one kilometre away.