2-Day Stanserhorn – Engelberg Ridge Hike, Uri Alps, Switzerland

The Stanserhorn-Engelberg Ridge Trail is a 2-day hike in the Uri Alps (aka Urner Alps), near Lucerne in Central Switzerland. It’s stage 5 of the Tell Trail, an 8-day trek in the Lake Lucerne Region. 

Hiking the Stanserhorn-Engelberg Ridge Trail is an exciting and alternative way to experience the mountains, forests, and mountain pastures of Lucerne and Engelberg. It’s also a fairly adventurous undertaking, requiring comfort with exposed passages, long descents, and secured scrambling. 

We enjoyed this hike tremendously, because of the ever-changing scenery and the solitude. Hikers who crave less trodden paths will love this trail.

The Stanserhorn-Engelberg Ridge Trail is divided into two stages. Hikers overnight at the hospitable Alp Laucheren, a managed alpine pasture hut that provides tents, food, water, and bathroom facilities.

This guide is based on our personal experience of trekking this route in early September 2024 during this 5-Day Lucerne Trip. Please keep in mind that trail conditions can change over time.

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Stanserhorn – Engelberg Ridge Trail Hiking Map

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Essential Trail Info

Trail Direction | As you progress north to south, the trail only increases in beauty and drama. For that reason, it’s better to hike from Stanserhorn to Engelberg. The only reason to reverse the trail is if you experience discomfort in your knees with long descents. Stage 2 involves a ghastly 1715 meters of descent. 

Trail Difficulty | Stage 1 (Stanserhorn to Alp Laucheren) is moderate and presents no difficulty for the seasoned hiker, who has a head for heights. Stage 2 (Alp Laucheren to Engelberg), on the other hand, is challenging due to some technical, exposed sections. It requires stamina and comfort with long descents. 

Combining Stages | If you’re tempted to combine stages, I urge you not to. 

Alp Laucheren Overnight Stay | Alp Laucheren provides tents and meals for hikers. Only in cases of adverse weather are hikers permitted to sleep inside the hut. Alp Laucheren isn’t a mountain hut (Hütte, Rifugio), but rather a private residence for the family that tends their herd of grazing animals during the alpine summer season. Bring a sleeping bag, waterproof slippers, headlamp, and portable charger. A reservation is necessary. Email: laucherenalp[at]hotmail.com Phone: 079 274 67 19. 

Booking this Hike | You can book this package on engelberg.ch, or book transit and overnight stay individually. 

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Where to Start the Stanserhorn-Engelberg Ridge Trail

The Stanserhorn-Engelberg Ridge Trail commences at the summit of Mount Stanserhorn, which is accessible by cableways from Stans, near Lucerne. 

Use the sbb.ch website to plan your transit journey.

Step 1 | Travel to Stans. There are direct trains from Lucerne to Stans (20 minutes). 

Step 2 | Ride the Stanserhornbahn Funicular, built in 1893, from Stans to Kälti-Stanserhorn (9 minutes).

Step 3 | Ride the Aerial CabriO Cable Car from Kälti-Stanserhorn to Mount Stanserhorn (10 minutes). 

Tip | The Stanserhorn cableway is included in the Swiss Travel Pass.

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Stage 1: Mount Stanserhorn to Alp Laucheren

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Mount Stanserhorn to Chrinnen (35 minutes)

Mount Stanserhorn (1848 m) is teeming with people of all ages taking in the panoramic views of the Central Swiss Alps. The summit is built-up with the CabriO Cable Car mountain station, various viewing platforms, a canteen, revolving restaurant, and public toilets. 

We bought take-away sandwiches at the restaurant for the hike. 

Follow trail signs to Chrinnen, signed 40 minutes. Follow the smooth gravel path in a southwesterly direction for a few minutes and then turn left to Chrinnen. The path descends a metal ramp and then twists down the forested mountainside to the Chrinnen mountain saddle.

The tight serpentines continue across grassy slopes to the Chrinnen signed trail junction (1580 m).

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Chrinnen to Ächerli (40 minutes)

Following signs to Ober Holzwang (30 minutes) and Ächerli (45 minutes), the trail traverses the northeastern grassy flank of Chli Horn (1786 m). 

At the Huserli hut (private/unmanaged), the path crosses the shoulder and continues to angle down the grassy southeastern flank of Chli Horn. 

After crossing a patch of woods, the trail traverses grazed alpine pastures. String fences run along both sides of the trail, effectively separating cows from hikers. 

The trail winds between the farm buildings of Ober Holzwang (1430 m). 

The way continues along a level gravel road across a wide pasture, similarly fenced, to Ächerli (1400 m).

We had no visibility, so I can’t offer any remarks about the scenery. 

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Ächerli to Arvigrat (2 hours)

Beyond Alp Grossächerli, briefly join the paved “Aescherlipass road.” Shortly thereafter, there’s an opportunity to detour to the Alpkäserei Chieneren, a dairy farm which sells their own award-winning cheese.

Soon, turn left, leaving the road, and ascend the steep grassy path along the fence. 

The trail steers you onto the Stanserhorn-Engelberg ridge. After crossing grazed pastures, the narrow path enters the Arviwald forest, where the trail sign indicates 1:20 hours to Arvigrat. 

For the next hour, the trail rises steeply along the forested ridge, high above velvet-like pastures  that dominate the landscape. 

Waymarks (white-red-white) are plentiful. 

Eventually, you’ll clear the forest and traverse grassy slopes to reach the Arvigrat summit signed junction (2013 m).

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Arvigrat – Gräfimattgrat – Alp Laucheren (1:30 hours)

At the junction, cross the pasture gate. Crest the ridge and continue south in the direction of Gräfimattstand. 

The narrow path traces the falling crest, finally delivering upon the promise of a thrilling ridge trail. 

You’ll leave the ridge in order to skirt Gräfimattnollen peak. The path leads right and crosses the peak’s slate-strewn western slope. 

Next, the path traverses a wide plateau, grazed during the summer season.

An ascent brings you to the Gräfimattstand junction (2050 m). From here, it’s a 15-minute hike to Alp Laucheren. 

The narrow trail leads left across a steep slope, bypassing the camel-back-like ridge. 

Pass through the gate to enter the domain of Alp Laucheren. Turn left and descend to the hut. 

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Stay at Alp Laucheren

Alp Laucheren is an active alpine farm high above Engelberg valley. The private hut on Alp Laucheren is neither a mountain restaurant, nor a mountain hut accommodation. It’s the summer residence of the Niederberger family, who manage their alpine pasture of 100+ sheep, 50+cows, and 2 llamas. 

In recent years, Melk and Agnes have helped hikers complete the Stanserhorn-Engelberg ridge trail by providing tents and meals (breakfast and dinner). Lunch packages are available upon request. 

We were treated with great care from the moment we arrived. Agnes helped disinfect my cut, which I earned on the trail. She served a generous, heart warming pot of Älplermagronen for dinner. And for breakfast, we were treated to large cuts of cheese, cold cuts, bread, and coffee. 

Reservations | Reservations are necessary

Packing Essentials | Sleeping Bag, Basic Cosmetics, Something to Sleep In

Hut Contact Info | 079 274 67 19

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Stage 2: Alp Laucheren to Engelberg

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Alp Laucheren to Wagenleis (45 min – 1 hour)

Return to the junction above the hut and hike south in the direction of Storeggpass (1:30 hours). 

After a short smooth traverse, the trail steeply ascends the ridge following timber-post markers and later fixed ropes, which deliver you to a Scharte (notch / cut in the ridge). 

Pass through the gate and quietly traverse the pasture that’s guarded by two llamas that protect the herd from wolf attacks. 

Descend the dreamy ridge trail with views of the Bernese Alps. After about 10 minutes, you’ll reach the start of the much-anticipated Wagenleis rock gap, secured with fixed chains and ropes. 

No special equipment is needed, but climbing gloves will help with grip. We always pack our Black Diamond Crag Half-Finger Gloves in the hip pockets of our backpack when hiking in the Alps.  

This is the most difficult passage of the entire 2-day hike. It’s exposed and requires careful footing.

Going very slowly and taking many photos, it took us 15 minutes to cross Wagenleis. It’s probably possible to cross in 5 minutes. 

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Wagenleis to Lachengrätli (1 hour) 

The trail closely follows the ridge, alternating between tracing the high crest and traversing the flank below. 

After skirting the summit of Schluchigrat (2087 m), the highly-enjoyable path continues along a wide ridge, strewn with tussock grasses. The mountain views are glorious. 

The trail continues to lose elevation, dipping below the forest line. The path steeply zigzags down the spruce forest for 20 minutes, before emerging on the Lachengrätli ridge above Alp Oberlachen. 

Follow the Lachengrätli ridge across the edge of the pasture. Half-way across, there’s an inviting bench. 

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Lachengrätli to Storeggpass (45 minutes)

The trail departs from the ridge and crosses forested slopes. 

There’s a technical section with stempels that aid you down a steep rocky passage. 

After rainfall, this section is very slippery and muddy. 

After curving around Storegghorn (1872 m), the trail eases down to Storeggpass (1741 m) towards Widderfeldstock. 

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Storeggpass to Lutersee trail junction (1 hour)

Ignore the path that zigzags up the ridge towards Widderfeldstock. 

Make a sharp left in the direction of Engelberg, signed 3:15 hours. This signage time is deceiving, because there are two ways to Engelberg. The Stanserhorn-Engelberg Ridge Trail (Tell Trail) follows the longer route to Engelberg. So from here, it will likely take another 5 hours, rather than 3:15 hours. 

The Engelberg-bound trail descends in serpentines and then traverses the boulder-studded slopes beneath towering rock walls. 

Soon after crossing a river of rocks, where the trail is broken, follow the waymarks across the meadow. 

The trail merges with a farm road, which delivers you to a meadow above Lake Lutersee, dotted with private huts that bear the names Hüethütte, Fruttgaden, and Chrankengädili. 

This is where the shorter Engelberg trail branches off the Tell Trail. Unless you need to descend quickly (e.g. poor weather, health), I don’t suggest descending to Engelberg from here. You’ll miss out!

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Lutersee trail junction to Bockisattel (1:10 hours)

Important: ignore the trail signs to Engelberg. 

From the Lutersee trail junction (1739 m), head right to Bockigrat (1:30 hours).

Pass the Fruttgarden hut and traverse the grass and scree slopes of Hochliecht. Lutersee will be below on your left side. 

Next, the trail twists up steeply to reach the shelf beneath Stierendossen (2245 m) and Bockistock (2225 m). 

There are fantastic views of the Walenstöcke mountain group, and Engelberg.

The way leads right in a northwesterly direction, navigating mud, high grass, and boulder fields.

Ascend to Bockisattel mountain saddle (2066 m), where a striking landscape is revealed.

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Bockisattel – Bocki – Pass above Bocki (30 minutes)

At the saddle, the trail sign states 4 hours to Engelberg – which is accurate.

Directly ahead, Widderfeld Stock towers above a karst-ridden basin, home to a small hut. 

Hike down 10 minutes to reach the private Bockihütte (2045 m). There’s a water source here. 

Turn left and hike up the karst landscape to an unnamed pass. The way is marked with white-red-white painted trail markers. 

This is the final ascent of stage 2. 

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Pass above Bocki to Alp Ober Arni (1:15 hours)

Ignore the trail that leads right to Bocki-Rotisand and Widderfeldstock. 

Following the short timber posts, the Tell trail continues straight over the pass. Thus begins the long descent into Engelberg (1211 meters).

At first, the trail gently slithers down grassy slopes, facing Huetstock and Hanghorn. 

After about 20 minutes, the path steeply plunges down the mountain, alternating between karst and grass trails. Pay attention and go slowly. 

With a mighty outlook towards Mount Titlis, Schlossberg, and Gross Spannort, the Tell Trail continues to angle down the mountainside to Alp Ober Arni. 

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Alp Ober Arni to Haltenhütte (40 minutes)

Pass through the Alp Ober Arni hut and descend towards the high valley of Arnibach. 

The trail curves left, crosses a pocket of woods, and then follows a stream. 

When you reach the valley floor, hike across the mountain pasture to Haltenhütte.

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Haltenhütte – Titlisbahn – Engelberg (1:30 – 1:40 hours)

Follow the paved road to Alpkäserei Untertrübsee and Bergrestaurant Untertrübsee (35 minutes). 

Just after the Untertrübsee restaurant, the trail veers sharply left. 

Follow the hiking signs to Engelberg, which usher you across various pastures and pedestrian paths to the Engelberg – Titlis cableway valley station. 

From Titlisbahn valley station, it’s a 10-minute walk to the Engelberg train station / town center. Alternatively, you can take the bus from the Titlis valley station to the town center. 

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Stay in Engelberg

Nestled in the Uri Alps, Engelberg is a beautiful mountain town with an attractive town center. It’s worth staying here several nights to explore the area’s numerous trails and experiences including the Titlis Cliff Walk.

We stayed at Hotel Bellevue-Terminus, located directly across from the train station. This excellent hotel offers comfortable modern rooms and a high-quality breakfast buffet (included in the room rate). There are complimentary tea and coffee stations on each floor, which we greatly appreciated. The lobby spills into a Living Room lounge and bar, a cozy and unconventional space for reading, drinking, and of course breakfast. 

For a budget-friendly stay, check out the centrally-located Ski Lodge Engelberg. This boutique hotel has modern rooms,  a bar, and on-site restaurant. Breakfast is included.

More places to stay in Engelberg: Engelberg Youth Hostel (budget), H+ Hotel & SPA Engelberg (midrange), and Hotel Bänklialp (midrange).

Find an accommodation in Engelberg.

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Keep Reading about Switzerland

Lake Lucerne Region:

• Walenpfad Hike
• Stoos Ridge Hike
• Lucerne Itinerary for Hikers

Appenzell:

• Appenzell (Appenzellerland) Region Guide 
• Appenzell Village: Hotels, Restaurants, and Museums 
• Best Hikes in Appenzell
• 3-Day Alpstein High Trail Trek

Alps:

• Best Hikes in the Alps
• Summer in the Alps

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