ViaBerna, Stage 18/20

A long ascent from Hasliberg-Reuti leads through forests and across alpine farms to the Planplatten ridge. Along the steep mountain flank of the Rothorn, still following the ridge, you arrive at the Tannalp. Via the rock path down through Spycherflüö, you reach the historic Engstlenalp spa building with its lake.

From the Hasliberg Reuti, Dorf bus stop, the route leaves the village and initially climbs through forest. After a good four kilometres, the yellow-waymarked hiking trail becomes a white-red-white-waymarked mountain trail. The long ascent requires stamina, with a total elevation gain of around 1,500 metres. At Planplatten, the route reaches its highest point at around 2,250 m; the Alpentower panoramic restaurant stands directly beside the trail.

The mountain trail then crosses open pastures and follows the ridge, with constant ups and downs, to near the Balmeregghorn. After this long high-level section, the descent leads to the Tannensee. On the shore of the reservoir, the trail becomes easier again and continues to Tannalp, where the mountain inn and chapel stand close together.

For the final section, the route once again switches to a mountain trail. It leads through open alpine pastureland to Engstlenalp. After around 19 kilometres and just under seven hours, the hike ends at the Engstlenalp bus stop.