Nidwalden High Trail: Stage 4

The Mountain of the Angels—as the founders of the Benedictine monastery named the place in 1120—is a popular destination for day trips. The village of Engelberg is defined by its impressive monastery and collegiate church. Today, around 30 monks still live and work here. Starting at the train station and passing by the monastery, the hike soon becomes strenuous.

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Continuing along a wide road, you’ll arrive at the Brunni Hut a good hour later. It’s probably the only SAC hut with its own chairlift station. It’s located on Lake Härzli, which you can walk around on a barefoot trail. The view of the Central Swiss mountains is magnificent, especially of the Titlis, which at 3,238 meters is the highest mountain in the region.

Now the trail narrows into a narrow path. At the last viewpoint, Sädelegg, looking toward Engelberg and the Titlis, the loop around the Walenstöcke begins. After a little over an hour of leisurely hiking, you’ll reach Walenalp, with its fire pit and view of the Mittelland. Passing beneath the imposing Gross and Chli Chälen, you’ll have to climb another 250 meters in elevation to reach the magnificent viewpoint at Walegg, the highest point of the tour.

The reward: a magnificent view of Lake Bannalp, toward which the trail now leads. The lake is surrounded by a breathtaking mountain landscape. After about an hour, the trail crosses the Bannalpbach stream, which feeds the lake. At the Kreuzhütte—which can also be reached by gondola—the trail branches off to the right. You’ll hike along the grassy green slope and through the forest, walking into the breeze. Once you reach the beautiful trail near the Haghütte, the path branches off again. For the remaining 600 meters of descent, the trail becomes slightly steeper. You’ll reach the Fell gondola station after a little over an hour. The stage ends a few minutes later in Oberrickenbach.