Kerns-Kernwald circular hike

At the Kerns post office, follow the "St. Anton" signposts past the church up to Burgholz. The path continues along the yellow pedestrian area painted on the asphalt road to Helgenstöckli. You reach the St. Anton chapel via a small path. The first chapel was built in 1540 and the current one in 1639 in honor of St. Anthony the Hermit. The baroque high altar is the jewel in the chapel's crown. The last restoration of the chapel took place in 1974, when the original paintings were uncovered.

The route continues towards Halten on the same section of the two national routes no. 2 "Trans Swiss Trail" and no. 4 "Via Jacobi" (Way of St. James) as well as the regional route 571 "Bruderklausenweg". At Wisserlen you will also see "Halten NW" on the signposts. Follow these, although this is not your destination.

After a short ascent on Ächerlistrasse, you will reach Maichäppeli. The shady forecourt under the trees invites you to take a break. The Chäppeli was first mentioned in 1676. It was built after a cattle epidemic and last restored in 2012.

After the Eberenwald and the Eberenallmend, you cross the Melbach. You are now on Nidwalden soil. At the first Nidwalden Heimet, leave the signposted hiking trail and follow the little road down to the cantonal road. The signpost at the Postbus stop points in the direction of Chernwald. So leave the road to the left into the forest and follow the signs to Gerzenseeli. Here you can rest and eat on the benches.

A prehistoric landslide from the Stanserhorn has created an impressive landscape with many large boulders in the Chernwald. The idyllic Gerzenseeli lake lies in the middle of the Chernwald forest and is unique in that it has no inflow or outflow. The best view of the small lake is from a footbridge that leads across the surrounding moorland. This wooden footbridge with the Seeli is a popular photo subject.

Now continue along the wooden footbridge towards the village of Kerns. At the end of the forest is the "Gamatt" site. You will soon see the church tower of Kerns. From here it is only a short walk to the starting point of the hike.