Obwalden High Trail: Stage 4

The stage starts at the railroad station on the Brünig Pass. The pass connects Central Switzerland with the Bernese Oberland and is open all year round.

The trail is challenging and requires a good level of fitness. First, the route climbs through flowering alpine meadows. The view of the deep blue Lake Lungern and the mountains of the Bernese Oberland accompanies you. After around three hours, you reach Hüttstett. The first long ascent is completed here, followed by the descent into the Melchtal valley.

The trail leads uphill again on the other side of the valley via Alp Chrummelbach with its small chapel and over the Melchaa. The destination is Älggialp, the geographical center of Switzerland. This point was precisely measured in 1988 and marked with a pyramid. A stone wall in the shape of Switzerland is a reminder of this. Although the exact center point is a little higher up in the rock, it has been moved slightly for practical reasons.

From the Älggialp, the hike continues to the idyllic Seefeldsee lake. Nestled between the mountains, it invites you to take a break. If the path to Melchsee-Frutt is too far, you can also spend the night here if you book in advance.

This is followed by a steep ascent to Chringengrätli. An impressive view of famous peaks such as the Eiger and Schreckhorn awaits at the top. A secured path with chains and ladders leads further up to the Abgschütz refuge at 2228 meters - the highest point of this stage. The view stretches from the Pilatus to the Titlis.

You then head towards your destination with views of Melchsee and Tannensee. Passing the Blausee lake, you reach Melchsee-Frutt. The car-free mountain village lies directly on Lake Melchsee and is a popular excursion destination in both summer and winter. In summer, countless alpine flowers bloom here.