Obwalden combines alpine landscapes, hiking trails and cultural history. When planning, you can focus on different things: a multi-day hike, seasonal mountain activities or places associated with Niklaus von FlĂĽe, for example. The time of year and the type of trail you want are good starting points.
Landscape of lakes, forests and mountains
Obwalden lies in Central Switzerland, mostly in the Sarner Aa valley south of Lake Lucerne. The canton also includes an exclave around Engelberg. Much of the landscape is shaped by the Unterwalden Pre-Alps and the Uri Alps; peaks, forests, meadows and lakes define the region’s character. The largest moorland landscape in Switzerland stretches around Glaubenberg. Forest covers 42 percent of Obwalden’s area.
Lakes situated entirely or partly within the canton include Lake Lucerne, Lake Sarnen, Lake Lungern, Lake Wichel, Lake Tannen and Lake Melch. There are family-friendly swimming spots at Lake Sarnen; stand-up paddleboarding and canoeing are also possible. Access to the water and facilities may vary by season.
Hikes for different interests
Obwalden has around 1,000 kilometres of hiking trails for leisurely walkers and more experienced hikers alike. The network may change as routes are modified. One multi-day option is the Obwalden High Trail: it leads from Pilatus around the Sarneraa Valley to Stanserhorn and offers a mix of alpine flora and fauna. Check the route before setting out.
A shorter trail with a different focus is the approximately 1.5-kilometre adventure trail on Älggialp. Its information relates to the area around the geographical centre of Switzerland, marked there by a triangulation pyramid. A narrow, well-maintained mountain road leads from Sachseln to Älggialp. Restrictions may occur seasonally or temporarily, so check road conditions before driving. The Bärgmandli Trail circles the Giswilerstock limestone massif along old paths connecting the alpine pastures. Here, too, it is advisable to check conditions before setting off.
Other trails have their own thematic focus. The Path of Visions, also known as the Visions Trail, is both a hiking and meditation trail; it starts at Brother Klaus’s birthplace in Flüeli and ends at the burial chapel in Sachseln. In Flüeli-Ranft, a circular hike leads to places associated with Niklaus von Flüe as a man, mediator and mystic. The Moorbäer educational trail shares knowledge about the moor’s animal and plant life at more than 20 stops.
Mountain activities by season
Melchsee-Frutt is a high plateau at an altitude of over 2,000 metres, set in an alpine landscape. Winter activities there include skiing, snowboarding, winter hiking and cross-country skiing. In summer, hiking trails follow deep-blue mountain lakes. Guided cave tours for groups in summer and winter offer a glimpse of the underground karst landscape; the tours are seasonal and depend on the operator’s conditions.
At Mörlialp, too, activities vary by season. The winter offering includes 14 kilometres of ski slopes, 6 kilometres each of winter hiking and snowshoe trails, and around 2.2 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trail. Distances and operations may change seasonally. The different types of routes make it possible to plan a winter’s day around your preferred activity without assuming a specific walking or travel time.
Cultural heritage in Sarnen and FlĂĽeli-Ranft
In Sarnen, the Witches’ Tower serves as the Obwalden State Archives and houses the “White Book of Sarnen”. The chronicle is considered the oldest account of the founding of the Swiss Confederation. The “Village Stories” audio tour includes the Witches’ Tower, the pillory and Landenberg, among other places; as stops may change, check the latest tour details in advance.
The Obwalden Museum is dedicated to the region’s history, art, applied arts, folklore and customs. Its permanent exhibition includes a fully equipped alpine hut and 750 exhibits; visitors can also try an alphorn as well as exploring the hut. Exhibition content may change during a redesign.
Flüeli-Ranft connects several places with the story of Niklaus von Flüe, also known as Brother Klaus. A memorial site is located right on the Way of St. James. Niklaus von Flüe lived in Ranft for 20 years; a wooden hermitage stands there. Brother Klaus’s house in Schibloch-Matte was built by him. He lived there with his family before beginning his life as a hermit in 1467.
Getting there and getting around
Trains run every half hour between Zurich and Lucerne; onward to Sarnen, they run three times an hour. PostBus routes and mountain railways connect villages and peaks between Lake Lucerne and Lake Lungern. Timetables can change and should be checked before travelling. When choosing activities, it is also worth keeping seasonal offerings and the conditions on individual routes in mind.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Engelberg, Giswil, Sarnen, Sachseln, Lungern, Melchsee-Frutt, Kerns, Alpnach
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