Snowshoe trekking
Schneeschuhtrail Bannalp
Bannalp, Chrützhütte–Bannalpsee–Urnerstaffel–Bannalp, Chrützhütte
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Schneeschuhtrail Bannalp
Bannalp, Chrützhütte–Bannalpsee–Urnerstaffel–Bannalp, Chrützhütte
The Bannalp is a secret gem in the Engelberg Valley. This high valley with the peaceful Bannalp reservoir at its centre is surrounded by the mighty Gross Walenstock, Klein Walenstock and Bietstock peaks. Close by, the circular walk up to the Urnerstaffel begins. Snowshoe hikers can enjoy wonderful views!
The journey up to the small Bannalp wintersports area begins in Oberrickenbach in the lower part of the Engelberg Valley. The «s’blaiä Bähnli» gondola car will take you to the starting point of the circular snowshoe hike, which is an easy walk for anyone of average fitness. At the mountain station of the Fell–Chrüzhütte Bannalp cableway you will immediately notice the jagged profile of Bannalp’s famous landmark, the Bietstock. With your back to the prominent peak, you follow the snowshoe trail slightly downhill through the snowy woods to the Bannalp reservoir. Before you loom the peaks of Gross Walenstock and Klein Walenstock, towering majestically over the alpine meadow.
Looking down, you will see the frozen lake, covered in snow. This reservoir has provided the canton of Nidwalden with hydroelectricity since the 1930s. Next, you pass through sparse conifer woodland, with the Bannalp stream on your right, and the path climbs steadily but gently upwards to the Urnerstaffel mountain inn. The hike up to the inn takes around 1.5 to two hours, depending on snow conditions; the trail is not prepared. The inn, which offers hearty home cooking, is the ideal place to take a break.
The snowshoe trail then leads gently uphill for another half hour or so. Next, you cross open terrain to reach the end of the trail – which is also its starting point, back at the mountain station of the Fell–Chrüzhütte Bannalp cablecar.
Looking down, you will see the frozen lake, covered in snow. This reservoir has provided the canton of Nidwalden with hydroelectricity since the 1930s. Next, you pass through sparse conifer woodland, with the Bannalp stream on your right, and the path climbs steadily but gently upwards to the Urnerstaffel mountain inn. The hike up to the inn takes around 1.5 to two hours, depending on snow conditions; the trail is not prepared. The inn, which offers hearty home cooking, is the ideal place to take a break.
The snowshoe trail then leads gently uphill for another half hour or so. Next, you cross open terrain to reach the end of the trail – which is also its starting point, back at the mountain station of the Fell–Chrüzhütte Bannalp cablecar.
The Bannalp is a secret gem in the Engelberg Valley. This high valley with the peaceful Bannalp reservoir at its centre is surrounded by the mighty Gross Walenstock, Klein Walenstock and Bietstock peaks. Close by, the circular walk up to the Urnerstaffel begins. Snowshoe hikers can enjoy wonderful views!
The journey up to the small Bannalp wintersports area begins in Oberrickenbach in the lower part of the Engelberg Valley. The «s’blaiä Bähnli» gondola car will take you to the starting point of the circular snowshoe hike, which is an easy walk for anyone of average fitness. At the mountain station of the Fell–Chrüzhütte Bannalp cableway you will immediately notice the jagged profile of Bannalp’s famous landmark, the Bietstock. With your back to the prominent peak, you follow the snowshoe trail slightly downhill through the snowy woods to the Bannalp reservoir. Before you loom the peaks of Gross Walenstock and Klein Walenstock, towering majestically over the alpine meadow.
Looking down, you will see the frozen lake, covered in snow. This reservoir has provided the canton of Nidwalden with hydroelectricity since the 1930s. Next, you pass through sparse conifer woodland, with the Bannalp stream on your right, and the path climbs steadily but gently upwards to the Urnerstaffel mountain inn. The hike up to the inn takes around 1.5 to two hours, depending on snow conditions; the trail is not prepared. The inn, which offers hearty home cooking, is the ideal place to take a break.
The snowshoe trail then leads gently uphill for another half hour or so. Next, you cross open terrain to reach the end of the trail – which is also its starting point, back at the mountain station of the Fell–Chrüzhütte Bannalp cablecar.
Looking down, you will see the frozen lake, covered in snow. This reservoir has provided the canton of Nidwalden with hydroelectricity since the 1930s. Next, you pass through sparse conifer woodland, with the Bannalp stream on your right, and the path climbs steadily but gently upwards to the Urnerstaffel mountain inn. The hike up to the inn takes around 1.5 to two hours, depending on snow conditions; the trail is not prepared. The inn, which offers hearty home cooking, is the ideal place to take a break.
The snowshoe trail then leads gently uphill for another half hour or so. Next, you cross open terrain to reach the end of the trail – which is also its starting point, back at the mountain station of the Fell–Chrüzhütte Bannalp cablecar.
Length | Number of stages
3 km
| 1 Stage
Ascent | Descent
110 m | 110 m
Hiking time
1 h 10 min
Fitness level
easy
Arrival | return travel
Season
Winter season
The winter season is usually from mid-December to end of March.
Hints
Snowshoe hire
Snowshoes and poles can be hired at the valley station of the Fell–Chrüzhütte Bannalp cablecar.
Signalization
Routing
Due to snow conditions, the locally signposted route may differ from that shown on the SwitzerlandMobility web map. If in doubt, follow the local signs.
Contact
Engelberg-Titlis Tourismus
Klosterstrasse 3
6390 Engelberg
Tel. +41 (0)41 639 77 77
welcome@engelberg.ch
www.engelberg.ch
Klosterstrasse 3
6390 Engelberg
Tel. +41 (0)41 639 77 77
welcome@engelberg.ch
www.engelberg.ch