From the medieval murals in St. Niklausen to the wooden boardwalk across the moor at Gerzensee: Kerns combines distinctive cultural details with a variety of hiking destinations. The municipality lies near the cantonal capital of Sarnen, at an altitude of 565 metres above sea level. When planning a stay, you can choose from a range of highlights, including local art, a forest loop, a hiking route to Sarnen and seasonal mountain destinations.
Chapels and Church Art
St. Niklausen Chapel is the oldest building in the municipality to have been fully preserved in its original fabric. Medieval murals adorn the choir; they were uncovered and restored between 1944 and 1946. The wooden ceilings of the nave and choir feature panels with pictorial scenes from a Biblia pauperum.
St. Antoni Chapel offers a different emphasis: built in 1639, it has a Dance of Death mural above the entrance door. The medieval images in St. Niklausen thus stand in contrast to a Dance of Death motif from the 17th century. At the parish church in Kerns, the arrow-shaped spire and the larger-than-life figure of Niklaus von FlĂĽe in a gable niche catch the eye.
Mountain Scenery and Trails
Kerns lies at an altitude of 565 metres above sea level; at 2,700 metres, Rotsandnollen is the municipality’s highest mountain. Its territory includes the lakes Melchsee, Tannensee, Blausee, Gerzensee and Blindseeli. Kerns also borders Lake Wichelsee. Melchsee-Frutt is part of Kerns, too, and is a summer and winter sports resort. A narrow mountain road leads via Kerns to Älggialp.
The hiking route from Kerns via FlĂĽeli-Ranft to Sarnen takes around three hours. It passes through an idyllic cultural landscape of flower-rich meadows and pastures, with views of Pilatus and Stanserhorn along the way. The loop through Kernwald is laid out differently: it follows a wooden boardwalk through the small moorland around Gerzensee.
To reach the Kernwald loop, take the train to Sarnen and then the postbus to Kerns, Kernwald. Check the timetable before travelling. The Chärwaldräuber adventure trail in Kernwald introduces visitors to the distinctive features of this forest landscape and has eleven stations. Guided Chärwaldräuber hikes are available for groups and companies: a ranger leads visitors to the stations and shares stories and background information about Kernwald. Check the booking conditions in advance.
Another hiking route leads from Stanserhorn to Kerns via Ă„cherlipass. The routes described differ in their layout: the route via FlĂĽeli-Ranft leads to Sarnen, while the Kernwald trail is a loop. Ă„cherlipass is a specific section of the route from Stanserhorn; no duration is given for it.
Swimming and Regional Traditions
Kerns indoor swimming pool has a sports pool, a learner pool, a water slide and a baby pool. Aquacenter Obwalden in Kerns is a modern indoor swimming pool for both sports swimmers and wellness visitors. Check the current facilities before your visit.
An alpine cattle drive also offers a glimpse into the region’s alpine traditions. At the cattle drive in Kerns documented in 2016, livestock was ceremonially driven down from the mountain pastures into the valley. Stalls sold raclette sandwiches, drinks and local products; cheese made from the milk of one of the participating herds was also offered.
Discover more destinations: Melchtal, Sachseln, Giswil, Melchsee-Frutt, Engelberg, Sarnen, Alpnach, Lungern
For the broader travel overview: Obwalden.
