Mountainbiking

o-tour Bike West
Alpnachstad–Alpnachstad

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o-tour Bike West
Alpnachstad–Alpnachstad
This difficult yet idyllic ride leads along the River Sarneraa to the largest mire landscape in Switzerland. An adventurous bike ride through the uniquely diverse Obwalden landscape with challenging single trails.
Where the world’s steepest cog railway climbs towards Mount Pilatus, a gentle warm-up begins on the ground: the route runs from Alpnachstad station alongside roads and the shores of the Wichelsee lake to Sarnen. The town’s last houses mark the start of the ascent of 900 meters in altitude to the first moorlands. You continue high above sparkling Lake Sarnen to the Langis mountain inn. This is the starting point of the long downhill run through the wild and equally charming Grossschlieren valley, the largest moor landscape in Switzerland.
After Alp Horweli, there is another 200-meter ascent before you ride down the Kleinschlierental valley via Schrotenegg, in view of majestic Mount Pilatus. Soon the first single trail commences and leads via the Alpine pasture down towards Lütholdsmatt. This is where the Franzosenweg («French trail») starts. Time seems to have stood still in this area, but pleasantly so: Mountain inns are rare here, not to mention motorized traffic. It’s hard to imagine that the lively valley floor of Obwalden and the greater Lucerne area are just a stone’s throw away, but that’s quite all right by us!
The following downhill ride to Alpnachstad is a mixture of mountain roads and easy single trails. Those who prefer a more leisurely ride can follow the paved mountain road down towards Alpnach. Down in the valley, a side trip to the shores of Lake Alpnach is worth the effort and a perfect ending to the tour.
After Alp Horweli, there is another 200-meter ascent before you ride down the Kleinschlierental valley via Schrotenegg, in view of majestic Mount Pilatus. Soon the first single trail commences and leads via the Alpine pasture down towards Lütholdsmatt. This is where the Franzosenweg («French trail») starts. Time seems to have stood still in this area, but pleasantly so: Mountain inns are rare here, not to mention motorized traffic. It’s hard to imagine that the lively valley floor of Obwalden and the greater Lucerne area are just a stone’s throw away, but that’s quite all right by us!
The following downhill ride to Alpnachstad is a mixture of mountain roads and easy single trails. Those who prefer a more leisurely ride can follow the paved mountain road down towards Alpnach. Down in the valley, a side trip to the shores of Lake Alpnach is worth the effort and a perfect ending to the tour.
This difficult yet idyllic ride leads along the River Sarneraa to the largest mire landscape in Switzerland. An adventurous bike ride through the uniquely diverse Obwalden landscape with challenging single trails.
Where the world’s steepest cog railway climbs towards Mount Pilatus, a gentle warm-up begins on the ground: the route runs from Alpnachstad station alongside roads and the shores of the Wichelsee lake to Sarnen. The town’s last houses mark the start of the ascent of 900 meters in altitude to the first moorlands. You continue high above sparkling Lake Sarnen to the Langis mountain inn. This is the starting point of the long downhill run through the wild and equally charming Grossschlieren valley, the largest moor landscape in Switzerland.
After Alp Horweli, there is another 200-meter ascent before you ride down the Kleinschlierental valley via Schrotenegg, in view of majestic Mount Pilatus. Soon the first single trail commences and leads via the Alpine pasture down towards Lütholdsmatt. This is where the Franzosenweg («French trail») starts. Time seems to have stood still in this area, but pleasantly so: Mountain inns are rare here, not to mention motorized traffic. It’s hard to imagine that the lively valley floor of Obwalden and the greater Lucerne area are just a stone’s throw away, but that’s quite all right by us!
The following downhill ride to Alpnachstad is a mixture of mountain roads and easy single trails. Those who prefer a more leisurely ride can follow the paved mountain road down towards Alpnach. Down in the valley, a side trip to the shores of Lake Alpnach is worth the effort and a perfect ending to the tour.
After Alp Horweli, there is another 200-meter ascent before you ride down the Kleinschlierental valley via Schrotenegg, in view of majestic Mount Pilatus. Soon the first single trail commences and leads via the Alpine pasture down towards Lütholdsmatt. This is where the Franzosenweg («French trail») starts. Time seems to have stood still in this area, but pleasantly so: Mountain inns are rare here, not to mention motorized traffic. It’s hard to imagine that the lively valley floor of Obwalden and the greater Lucerne area are just a stone’s throw away, but that’s quite all right by us!
The following downhill ride to Alpnachstad is a mixture of mountain roads and easy single trails. Those who prefer a more leisurely ride can follow the paved mountain road down towards Alpnach. Down in the valley, a side trip to the shores of Lake Alpnach is worth the effort and a perfect ending to the tour.
Length | Number of stages
50 km
| 1 Stage
Roads and trails
Asphalted: 27 km
Natural surface: 23 km
of which Singletrail: 5 km
Natural surface: 23 km
of which Singletrail: 5 km
Ascent | Descent
1750 m | 1750 m
Grade | Fitness level
medium
|
difficult
Arrival | return travel
Season
Hint
The route is snow-free from about mid-May until the end of October.
Signalization
Signalization
This route is only signposted in one direction: Alpnachstad – Sarnen – Langis – Ällgau – Alpnachstad
Hints
Hint
Attention: due to the stage which goes through the high-moor bog, it is advisable to only take this route in dry weather.
Hint
It is also possible to follow the route in the opposite direction. From Alpnach climb the mountain road to Lütholdsmatt. Pushing section (dismount) between Rischigenmatt and Älggäu, approx. 10 min.
Arrival | return travel
Contact
Obwalden Tourismus AG
Bahnhofplatz 1
6060 Sarnen
Tel. +41 (0)41 666 50 40
info@obwalden-tourismus.ch
www.obwalden-tourismus.ch
Bahnhofplatz 1
6060 Sarnen
Tel. +41 (0)41 666 50 40
info@obwalden-tourismus.ch
www.obwalden-tourismus.ch