Hiking
Obwaldner Höhenweg
Stage 4, Brünigpass–Melchsee-Frutt
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Obwaldner Höhenweg
Stage 4, Brünigpass–Melchsee-Frutt
High above the Lungernsee lake, passing quaint alp chapels, the path climbs to Älggialp and the geographical centre of Switzerland. Over a rock barrier to the lake plateau of Melchsee-Frutt at a lofty altitude, goal of rest and recreation seekers in summer and winter.
Brünig Pass, known for the famous Swiss wrestling competition, connects Central Switzerland with the Bernese Oberland. With an altitude of just 1002 m the pass is open all year and popular with motorcycle riders. This stage begins at the cogwheel railway station and requires a bit of stamina. Accompanied by blossoming Alpine meadows, a view of sparkling Lake Lungern and all the way to the mountains of the Bernese Oberland, it takes about three hours to reach Hüttstett. The first ascent of this stage is now behind you and the path begins to go down to the Melchtal Valley. Across Alp Chrummelbach with its lovely Alpine chapel and over the Small Melchaa, the trail continues on the other side of the valley through forests and meadows and leads up to the central point of Switzerland. By now you have been hiking for about five hours.
The geographic centre of Switzerland was established in 1988 at Älggi-Alp using the latest measuring technology, i.e. a triangulation pyramid. At that time, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Topology celebrated its 150-year anniversary. A stone wall in the shape of Switzerland was constructed around the centre. The country’s exact geographic centre is actually located further to the southeast, but because it is not easily accessible right above a rocky cliff, the location was shifted by about 500 meters. Seefeld Lake is reached from the peaceful mountain in about an hour. Nestled between Seefeldstock and Haupt the popular fishing lake is a perfect place to rest one’s feet.
A sharp ascent follows immediately after the lake, first to Chringengrätli with a fantastic view of Eiger, Schreckhorn and other peaks. From then on the path is secured with chains and ladders and leads through the rocks up to the Abgschütz mountain shelter, the highest point of today’s tour at 2228 m. The view from Mt. Pilatus all the way to Mt. Titlis is a fair reward for the arduous climb. While enjoying the sight of the surrounding peaks with Melchsee and Tannensee lakes and past Blausee lake, today’s destination of Melchsee-Frutt is reached about an hour later. Cars are banned in this family-friendly village situated directly on Melchsee, which is teeming with trout. In the summer, the mountain valley looks like an awesome sea of flowers.
The geographic centre of Switzerland was established in 1988 at Älggi-Alp using the latest measuring technology, i.e. a triangulation pyramid. At that time, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Topology celebrated its 150-year anniversary. A stone wall in the shape of Switzerland was constructed around the centre. The country’s exact geographic centre is actually located further to the southeast, but because it is not easily accessible right above a rocky cliff, the location was shifted by about 500 meters. Seefeld Lake is reached from the peaceful mountain in about an hour. Nestled between Seefeldstock and Haupt the popular fishing lake is a perfect place to rest one’s feet.
A sharp ascent follows immediately after the lake, first to Chringengrätli with a fantastic view of Eiger, Schreckhorn and other peaks. From then on the path is secured with chains and ladders and leads through the rocks up to the Abgschütz mountain shelter, the highest point of today’s tour at 2228 m. The view from Mt. Pilatus all the way to Mt. Titlis is a fair reward for the arduous climb. While enjoying the sight of the surrounding peaks with Melchsee and Tannensee lakes and past Blausee lake, today’s destination of Melchsee-Frutt is reached about an hour later. Cars are banned in this family-friendly village situated directly on Melchsee, which is teeming with trout. In the summer, the mountain valley looks like an awesome sea of flowers.
High above the Lungernsee lake, passing quaint alp chapels, the path climbs to Älggialp and the geographical centre of Switzerland. Over a rock barrier to the lake plateau of Melchsee-Frutt at a lofty altitude, goal of rest and recreation seekers in summer and winter.
Brünig Pass, known for the famous Swiss wrestling competition, connects Central Switzerland with the Bernese Oberland. With an altitude of just 1002 m the pass is open all year and popular with motorcycle riders. This stage begins at the cogwheel railway station and requires a bit of stamina. Accompanied by blossoming Alpine meadows, a view of sparkling Lake Lungern and all the way to the mountains of the Bernese Oberland, it takes about three hours to reach Hüttstett. The first ascent of this stage is now behind you and the path begins to go down to the Melchtal Valley. Across Alp Chrummelbach with its lovely Alpine chapel and over the Small Melchaa, the trail continues on the other side of the valley through forests and meadows and leads up to the central point of Switzerland. By now you have been hiking for about five hours.
The geographic centre of Switzerland was established in 1988 at Älggi-Alp using the latest measuring technology, i.e. a triangulation pyramid. At that time, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Topology celebrated its 150-year anniversary. A stone wall in the shape of Switzerland was constructed around the centre. The country’s exact geographic centre is actually located further to the southeast, but because it is not easily accessible right above a rocky cliff, the location was shifted by about 500 meters. Seefeld Lake is reached from the peaceful mountain in about an hour. Nestled between Seefeldstock and Haupt the popular fishing lake is a perfect place to rest one’s feet.
A sharp ascent follows immediately after the lake, first to Chringengrätli with a fantastic view of Eiger, Schreckhorn and other peaks. From then on the path is secured with chains and ladders and leads through the rocks up to the Abgschütz mountain shelter, the highest point of today’s tour at 2228 m. The view from Mt. Pilatus all the way to Mt. Titlis is a fair reward for the arduous climb. While enjoying the sight of the surrounding peaks with Melchsee and Tannensee lakes and past Blausee lake, today’s destination of Melchsee-Frutt is reached about an hour later. Cars are banned in this family-friendly village situated directly on Melchsee, which is teeming with trout. In the summer, the mountain valley looks like an awesome sea of flowers.
The geographic centre of Switzerland was established in 1988 at Älggi-Alp using the latest measuring technology, i.e. a triangulation pyramid. At that time, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Topology celebrated its 150-year anniversary. A stone wall in the shape of Switzerland was constructed around the centre. The country’s exact geographic centre is actually located further to the southeast, but because it is not easily accessible right above a rocky cliff, the location was shifted by about 500 meters. Seefeld Lake is reached from the peaceful mountain in about an hour. Nestled between Seefeldstock and Haupt the popular fishing lake is a perfect place to rest one’s feet.
A sharp ascent follows immediately after the lake, first to Chringengrätli with a fantastic view of Eiger, Schreckhorn and other peaks. From then on the path is secured with chains and ladders and leads through the rocks up to the Abgschütz mountain shelter, the highest point of today’s tour at 2228 m. The view from Mt. Pilatus all the way to Mt. Titlis is a fair reward for the arduous climb. While enjoying the sight of the surrounding peaks with Melchsee and Tannensee lakes and past Blausee lake, today’s destination of Melchsee-Frutt is reached about an hour later. Cars are banned in this family-friendly village situated directly on Melchsee, which is teeming with trout. In the summer, the mountain valley looks like an awesome sea of flowers.
Length
23 km
Ascent | Descent
1900 m | 1000 m
Hiking time
8 h 35 min
Grade | Fitness level
medium
(mountain hiking trail)
|
difficult
Arrival | return travel
Season
Season
Beware: snowfields possible into summer months on high-level sections.
More …
Arrival | return travel
Contact
Signpost management
Signposting is managed by the cantonal hiking trail organisation on behalf of the communities. Lend a hand by becoming a member in your canton.
Become a member
Obwaldner Wanderwege
6061 Sarnen
info@ow-wanderwege.ch
www.ow-wanderwege.ch
