Via Alpina, Stage 9/20

Through Alpine flora to Tannalp with dairy, inn and lake. The ridge hike over Balmeregghorn, with wonderful views of the Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau is truly impressive. Muggenstutz the dwarf and a sculpture garden promise variety on the way to Meiringen.

From the Engstlenalp bus stop, the mountain path climbs across open alpine pastures to Tannalp. Shortly afterwards, the route passes the Tannalp chapel and reaches the shore of Tannensee. Here, the gentle terrain of the first few kilometres gradually gives way to a longer ascent.

Beyond the lake, the white-red-white waymarked path crosses open mountain terrain. About halfway along the route, the highest point is reached near Planplatten at just over 2,200 m. By this point, around 740 metres of ascent have been completed; the remainder of the hike is dominated by an extended descent.

Initially, the trail remains in mountain terrain; later, it enters the forest and becomes wider. It continues downhill via Hasliberg Reuti to Meiringen. Shortly before the destination, the route passes the Baroque Church of St Michael, dating from 1684. After around 22 kilometres and just over seven hours, the hike ends near the Meiringen, Casinoplatz bus stop.