Bonistock Circular Tour: Spectacular Round Hike on Melchsee-Frutt

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Located nearly 2,000 meters above sea level in the high valley of Melchsee-Frutt, a fantastic hiking area awaits you in the heart of Central Switzerland. My tip: the Bonistock circular tour! This attractive half-day hike takes you through impressive landscapes and definitely does not skimp on spectacular views of Melchsee and Tannensee.

With the PostAuto line 343 from Sarnen via Stöckalp to great heights

In collaboration with PostAuto, I present you selected excursion destinations in the Bern/Central Switzerland region that are along the various PostAuto lines. After our detour to the Gstaad Saanenland region, where we explored the area around the mountain village of Abländschen and the Turbachtal, we took the Postauto line 343 from Sarnen via Stöckalp to the fabulously beautiful high plateau of Melchsee-Frutt.

Scenic drive to Stöckalp

Located in the impressive mountain world between the Central Swiss and Bernese Alps, Melchsee-Frutt is surprisingly accessible by public transport. And it has been for almost 100 years. On July 1, 1924, the PostAuto service from Sarnen to Melchtal was launched. A few years later, the line was extended to Stöckalp, corresponding to today’s line 343, which serves the route all year round at hourly intervals.

Fortunately, I know from previous trips to Melchtal that it pays to secure a window seat on the right side at the waiting PostAuto. During the 35-minute PostAuto ride, fantastic valley views await you. Special gems include the Flüeli Chapel and the Art Nouveau Hotel Paxmontana in the village of Flüeli-Ranft high above Lake Sarnen.

With the cable car to Melchsee-Frutt

On Stöckalp, the journey continues seamlessly by cable car up the mountain. The summer offerings at Melchsee-Frutt range from stroller-friendly paths to athletic climbing routes, truly offering something for everyone. Those who are not so mobile can take the Frutt Train comfortably from the mountain station to Tannalp and back during the summer season.

The Frutt Train runs hourly (departure from the mountain station at 09:00 AM on the hour) | Day ticket for adults 18.00 CHF | More info: Frutt Train

An entertaining ascent to Bonistock

We chose a circular hike for this trip that promises a great view of the surrounding mountains and the deep blue shimmering mountain lakes: the Bonistock circular tour. The ascent to the highest point of the tour – the 2,169 m high Bonistock – is signposted at the mountain station of the cable car with 55 minutes. We follow a wide gravel path to the striking building of the Frutt Lodge. Here, the signpost on the right hand guides us over an embankment onto a narrow mountain hiking trail. This path leads us purposefully in sweeping switchbacks through a plant protection area. Alongside the splendidly blooming alpine flora, the karst fields we pass along the way are also a sight to behold.

With every meter of elevation gain, the view becomes more magnificent. Soon we enjoy a wonderful view over Melchsee with its picturesque chapel and the mountain range behind it with Rothorn as the highest point. Over there, the Via Alpina also passes on its way to Meiringen (stage 9, Engstlenalp – Meiringen).

By the way, there are some nicely placed benches along the path, where you can take a breather after the first meters of altitude and enjoy the mountain panorama.

Spectacular ridge hike to Chringen

On Bonistock, a brisk wind blows. Not inviting to linger longer on the terrace of the mountain hotel Bonistocks. We warm up inside with a cup of coffee and a nut croissant, then continue the hike towards Chringen. The nearly one-kilometer-long ridge path to the pass crossing Chringen becomes alpine in sections and occasionally steep. However, the path is continuously visible and in good condition – those who do not have problems with heights generally manage well here. Soon we see Tannensee in front of us. And behind it – impressively, I think, the still quite snow-covered northern slopes of Gadmerflue. At their feet we hiked along last summer.

The choice on the way back

Once at Chringen, there are various options for continuing the circular hike. The classic option follows the signpost towards Tannalp downhill. Alternatively, you can stay higher. For this, follow the signpost a few meters below the pass towards Melchsee-Frutt. This narrow path winds directly below the imposing Bonistock rock face and thus opens up the popular climbing garden, where the climbing path “Fruttli” is also located. And yes: We spontaneously opted for this variant because it allowed us to enjoy the beautiful view and the fantastic alpine flora along the way a bit longer.

Shortly before the Panorama Lift, at the level of the Bärgbeizli BergSeeStrand, the path zigzags down to the shore of Melchsee. The Bärgbeizli looks very appealing, and in warm summer weather, we would definitely have stopped here. Due to the brisk wind, we prefer the weather-protected sun terrace of the Frutt Lodge on this day. Either way: The culinary offerings at Melchsee-Frutt are almost as diverse as the hiking trails. Alternatively, several (also accessible with a stroller) fireplaces invite you to a cozy barbecue.

Well-fed, we then head back via Stöckalp to Sarnen. Even in somewhat moody weather (a hallmark of the current summer season), a thoroughly successful hiking trip that is definitely worth replicating.

Key data of the Melchsee-Frutt – Bonistock – Chringen – Melchsee-Frutt circular hike

Based on the following hiking map, you can trace the route of the classic variant of the Bonistock circular tour. It is mostly a mountain hiking trail (mostly T2). The ridge path over Chringen is somewhat more exposed in parts. However, there are two trail options. To the left, a narrow path follows the ridge more protected. To the right, a narrow path climbs over a rock ledge directly onto the ridge. This section is exposed and requires surefootedness and a head for heights. The return route via Tannalp and then Tannalpstrasse and the route of the Four-Lakes-Hike then leads mostly over well-developed, non-steep hiking trails.

Starting point	Mountain station Melchsee-Frutt (1,923 m above sea level)
Accessibility	Accessible by public transport
Length	9.8 kilometers
Altitude meters	↗ 419 m ↘ 419 m
Duration	3:00 h
Destination	Mountain station Melchsee-Frutt (1,923 m above sea level)
Refreshments	Mountain hotel Bonistock, Mountain restaurant Tannalp, Bärgbeizli BergSeeStrand, Sun Terrace of Frutt Lodge

If you like scenic, narrow high-altitude paths, you can follow the narrow hiking trail below Chringen, which opens up the popular climbing garden at Bonistock. With this variant of the Bonistock circular tour, you spend more time on exposed paths, although the entire circular hike, with a length of 6 kilometers and a hiking time of about 2:15 hours, is overall a bit shorter. With this variant, you also do not pass the popular mountain restaurant Tannalp.

Practical tips for your excursion to Melchsee-Frutt

• • The PostAuto line 343, which runs from Sarnen via Kerns to Melchtal up to Stöckalp, operates all year round. The hourly connection is timed to the timetable so that you have connections from both Lucerne and Interlaken East (Brünig line). More information can be found here: Melchsee-Frutt Line

• • The summer season at Melchsee-Frutt lasts from mid-June to mid-October (end of autumn holidays). The cable car Stöckalp-Melchsee-Frutt operates daily between 8:25 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:20 PM to 5:20 PM. On weekends and public holidays, an additional downhill ride is offered at 5:50 PM.

• • The cable car service pauses for an hour over lunch. If you board the first cable car at 1:20 PM, you can usually catch the 1:40 PM PostAuto connection at Stöckalp, even though this is not shown in the timetable.

• • The ride on the cable car (round trip) costs 37 CHF for adults. GA and Half-Fare travelcards are valid, reducing the price to 18.50 CHF. More pricing information can be found here: Prices

• • Further suggestions for circular hikes can be found on the website of Melchsee-Frutt.