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.