An 8.28-kilometre hike leads from Ennetmoos, Morgenstern, to St. Jakob—a place with a special history: in St. Jakob Chapel, Nidwalden and Obwalden concluded the so-called Capuchin Peace in 1618. Drachenried and Allweg also offer their own nature and cultural themes. You can tailor your stay to whether you mainly want to hike, discover religious buildings or explore local history.
Landscape and hikes
Ennetmoos is situated slightly above Stans, between Stanserhorn and Lake Lucerne. The municipality includes parts of Stanserhorn’s northern and western slopes, as well as areas along Lake Lucerne. The regional tourism profile describes Ennetmoos as a natural landscape. Hiking trails, nature conservation and historic sites offer different points of interest for a trip.
The “Zingel Ennetmoos” hike leads from Ennetmoos, Morgenstern, to St. Jakob in Ennetmoos. It is 8.28 kilometres long and classified as moderately difficult. Along the way, it offers views of Lake Lucerne, Lake Alpnach and the surrounding mountains. The starting point is the Ennetmoos, Morgenstern bus stop; parking for the hike is available at the municipal building. As trail conditions can vary depending on the weather, it is advisable to check the current conditions before setting off.
There are hikes around Stanserhorn with very different stated durations: examples range from the 30-minute summit loop to the four-hour hike from Stans to Stanserhorn. This adds a regional selection to the local hiking options; the routes do not need to be understood as parts of the same tour.
Chapels and history
On 15 January 1618, Nidwalden and Obwalden concluded the so-called “Capuchin Peace” in St. Jakob Chapel to resolve various disputes between the two cantons. St. Jakob was probably built as a pilgrims’ chapel on the Way of St. James and is one of the oldest places of worship in the canton of Nidwalden. The site thus connects a possible pilgrimage history with a specific historical event.
Historic religious buildings in Ennetmoos include the chapels of St. Jakob, St. Leonhard and St. Magnus. They were destroyed in 1798; the churches were rebuilt in the early 19th century. St. Leonhard was built in 1616 and 1717, and St. Magnus in 1672. Those interested in architectural history will find different milestones here—from the early construction dates to the rebuilding after the events of 1798.
Allweg, Drachenried and local stories
Ennetmoos was a battlefield in 1798 during the French army’s war against Nidwalden. The battle ended in a French victory at the beginning of the Rotzberg in the Allweg district. The Allweg monument, erected 100 years later, commemorates the fighters and can be visited free of charge today. Guided tours are offered in Drachenried and historic Allweg.
Drachenried is also associated with a local dragon legend. The “Chärwaldräuber” adventure trail presents information about history and legends at twelve stops. Among other places, it passes Lake Gerzensee, Hexenstein and a picnic area. Alongside historical events, the programme therefore includes stories and stops in the landscape.
Drachenried has another story to tell through its nature conservation history: in 2004, Pro Natura Unterwalden acquired the plot with a former tank obstacle. Since then, targeted ecological improvements have been made to develop a nature reserve rich in species. Drachenried-Lädeli sells homemade syrup, egg liqueur, ostrich meat and other products.
Mueterschwandenberg and finding accommodation
Mueterschwandenberg above St. Jakob in Ennetmoos can be reached on foot or by bicycle. At the summit, there is a viewpoint and a modern fire pit; there are also two small campsites on the mountain. If you are considering these as an overnight option, check current availability.
When looking for a hotel in Ennetmoos, you can first decide what matters most to you: would you like to focus on a hike such as “Zingel Ennetmoos”, are you more interested in religious buildings and Allweg, or would you like to learn about Drachenried’s nature conservation history and local legend? Check availability for your travel dates when considering specific offers.
Discover more destinations: Hergiswil, Oberdorf, EnnetbĂĽrgen, Emmetten, BĂĽren, Wolfenschiessen, Stansstad, Beckenried
For the main travel overview: Nidwalden.
