The great outdoors is what makes Engelberg really special, and the village is a perfect base for walking and hiking in the region. There are 360 kilometres of walking and hiking trails, ranging from high alpine hikes at over 3000 metres, with spectacular views, to peaceful walks through unspoilt countryside along the valley floor.

Access to the surrounding mountains is quick and easy via the cable cars, gondolas and chairlifts, which operate throughout the year, and there are no less than 20 mountain huts and restaurants, many with sun terraces, to enjoy once you are on the mountain. Walking passes are available from late May to early November each year, allowing you unlimited use of Engelberg’s cable cars and chairlifts on 6 consecutive days, and we can help you arrange these.

There are three main hiking areas to explore in and around Engelberg, all of which are easily accessible direct from Chalet Espen.

Brunni

Brunni is on the sunny, south-facing side of Engelberg's valley, and accessed by a new cable car from close to the monastery near the centre of the village. Brunni is ideal for an introduction to Engelberg’s hiking, offering easy walks and nature trails, as well as more demanding mountaineering routes and even paragliding (which we can arrange for you).

Some excellent hiking routes from Brunni pass over or around Engelberg’s mountains and connect with cable cars down to other resorts on the shores of Lake Luzern, from where you can catch a ferry and then the train back home to Engelberg – all in a day.

Titlis

The next area is Titlis, the main mountain in Engelberg. Titlis is accessed by the Titlis cable car, just 5 minutes walk away from Chalet Espen. At 3020 metres high, the cable car station at the peak of Titlis is the highest excursion and viewpoint in Central Switzerland, and an essential stop on most tours around Switzerland. Visitors can step out of the revolving cable car (the first of its kind in the world) straight onto the only glacier in Central Switzerland.

Aside from the wonderful views from the peak of Titlis, across the mountain peaks and past Lake Luzern, there are other things to enjoy, such as travelling on the Ice Flyer chairlift over the deep crevasses of the Titlis glacier, or entering the glacier itself via the glacier cave.

Despite all the visitor attractions on top of Titlis, it is the natural environment on the mountainside that is the real highlight. Walkers and hikers can enjoy anything from peaceful strolls around the mountain lake and along the marked mountain flower trail at Trubsee (the second stop on the Titlis cable car at 1800 metres), to high alpine hikes linking Engelberg with remote farming communities, many of which can only be reached and inhabited in the Summer months. For anyone interested in wildlife, Titlis is also a good spot for seeing Marmots, Golden Eagles and Chamois deer.

A particular highlight on the Titlis side of the valley is the four-lake-hike, which starts in Engelberg at 1050 metres above sea level, and then climbs up to the Jochpass at 2200 metres. The route then levels off, passing the beautiful mountain lakes at Engstlenalp and Tannalp, before dropping down again to the smaller mountain resort of Melchsee Frutt– a hike of about 7 hours in total.

A reasonable level of fitness is required for the four-lake-hike, but the rewards make it well worth the effort. Along the way hikers can enjoy beautiful flora in secluded alpine pastures, remote windy peaks and clear blue mountain lakes, before returning to Engelberg by bus and train – a wonderful day out.

For those who would like to sample this spectacular route, but without the climb up from Engelberg, there are various ways of shortening the route, especially using the Titlis cable car and Jochpass chairlift to reach the highest point.

Fuerenalp

Thirdly, there is the quiet and unspoilt Fuerenalp area, accessed by a spectacular cable car at the end of the village. Fuerenalp offers fantastic views over Engelberg village and across to Titlis, as well as alpine trails and hide-aways to allow you to enjoy the mountain environment at your own pace, and often without seeing any other visitors.

A legendary hike, and one not to be missed by anyone who is reasonably fit, is the hike from the top of the Fuerenalp lift, via the Stauber waterfall and over the beautiful and remote Surenenpass at 2300 metres above sea level to Attinghausen, close to the shore of Lake Luzern. This hike can be completed in one day (approximately 7 hours) and for groups of 4 or more a taxi will collect you from Attinghausen and bring you back to Engelberg.

Nordic walking

Nordic walking is popular with Engelberg’s residents and tourists alike. By using carbon walking-poles and following a strict, alternating pace rhythm, Nordic walking has the effect of giving aerobic exercise to the whole body - the upper body, shoulders and arms, as well as the legs.

Engelberg is a major centre for the sport, with plenty of groups and sessions running throughout the Summer, including lessons on the basic techniques. Nordic walking is a great way to get fit while enjoying beautiful scenery at the same time.