Winter & snowshoe hiking in Engelberg: the most beautiful trails in check

This spring I started to write down a list of all the interesting accommodations and exciting hikes that I discover through media reports or because of your search terms on my blog. Thanks to this list, I have come to focus on destinations that I have previously neglected. Engelberg is one of them. Apart from the great 4-lake hike, the largest winter sports destination in Central Switzerland has not yet been able to grab me with either its flagship – the Titlis – or the igloo village (which, by the way, was not closed permanently because of Corona, but already in 2018 because of climatic changes (!)).

Due to an interesting new hotel opening, Engelberg popped up on my radar this summer. And when researching destinations with varied winter and snowshoe hiking trails away from the “ski hotspots”, Engelberg once again made itself felt. So it happened that we spent a few wonderfully snowy days in Central Switzerland and brought you three tips for beautiful snowshoe routes and winter hikes around Engelberg from this short trip.

Grotzli Trail on the Fürenalp

I already thought during our snowshoe hike on the Arnisee Trail that this had probably been the most perfect day of the (still young) winter season. Less than two weeks ago, I was once again indulging in this “wow, wow, wow!” on the Grotzli Trail near Engelberg. High.

Due to the announced beautiful weather, it was to be expected that there would be a lot going on this day despite the closed ski slopes in Engelberg, so our choice fell on the Grotzli Trail on the Fürenalp. The Fürenalp is located east of Engelberg at the end of the valley in the direction of the Surenen Pass and can be reached by a “Buiräbähnli”. Here, away from the hustle and bustle, there is a small but fine range of marked winter hiking trails and snowshoe trails. The Fürenalp is also the starting point for ski tours and there is also a toboggan run during “normal operation” (toboggan rental and use of the toboggan run free of charge).

The implementation of the current protective measures (occupancy of the 8-seater gondola with a maximum of 5 people) does not result in longer waiting times despite the late morning. And so we don’t have to wait long until we reach the winter paradise at 1,850 metres above sea level after a short ride on the cable car. The knee-high fresh snow is fluffy and the sun shines brightly with the mountain panorama. What a dreamlike setting! The two snowshoe trails are signposted directly at the mountain station and guide us purposefully through the white splendour.

The Grotzli Trail leads from the Fürenalp mountain station first slightly downhill towards “Gross Wald”. The combination of high alpine mountain scenery and the loosely planted fir forest is simply magical! Especially on this day, when everything is freshly snowed in. The trail zigzags through the fir forest with a view of the angular peaks of the “Spannörter”. Some of the terrain is slightly uneven/sloping, which requires some practice with snowshoes or can quickly become exhausting.

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As soon as the end of the valley becomes visible, the trail makes a U-turn and climbs towards Eggen. We are not unhappy that someone has already sprinted ahead of us that day. Even so, the thighs are still sufficiently challenged. Further up, we cross the winter hiking trail and follow the trail on the other side of the plateau back to the mountain station of the Fürenalp cable car.

Eckdaten Grotzli-Trail, Fürenalp

We needed just under 1.5 hours for the round (3 kilometers, about 190 meters in altitude). A great entertaining tour for all those who already have some snowshoe experience and want to enjoy outdoor sports. For the first steps with snowshoes, the somewhat shorter Titlis Trail or the snowshoe trail on the Gerschnialp described below is more suitable.

Note: the trail marked on site corresponds to the route shown below (a different route is stored on Switzerland Mobility)

Starting point	Mountain station of the Fürenalp cable car (1,845 m above sea level)
Reachability	accessible by public transport
Length	3 kilometers
Elevation gain	↗ 190 m 190 m ↘
Duration	1:00 – 2.00 h
Destination	Mountain station of the Fürenalp cable car
Catering	Mountain restaurant Fürenalp (directly at the mountain station of the cable car and with takeaway option)

Schneeschuhtrail Gerschnialp – Untertrübsee

The snowshoe trail on the Gerschnialp is the second trail we took a closer look at around Engelberg. Although the weather was not as “picture perfect” as the day before on the Fürenalp, there were hardly any people on the road. Yawning emptiness at the valley station of the Titlis cable car and also in the funicular, which takes us to the Gerschnialp in 5 minutes. Due to its flat and protected terrain, the high plateau of the Geschnialp/Untertrübsee is ideal for taking your first steps with snowshoes.

The extensive terrain is criss-crossed by cross-country ski trails, winter hiking trails and snowshoe trails – the biggest challenge for us up here is to effectively find “our” path between all the markings. The snowshoe trail leads us around the high plateau. Theoretically, it would be possible to take the “Älplerseil” further up to the Trübsee and add another snowshoe loop there. In my opinion, however, you miss the most beautiful section of this trail, namely the route that leads after passing the valley station of the alpine cable car towards Jungholz and then further through the forest back towards the plateau.

Key data snowshoe trail Gerschnialp

It took us just under an hour to cover the approximately 4-kilometer route with 150 meters of elevation gain. We were more jagged on this tour than on the Grötzli Trail – due to the mixed weather, there were significantly fewer photo stops. But whether it’s sunshine or cloudy skies, a round like this is always “good”.

Starting point	Gerschnialp funicular mountain station (1,270 m above sea level)
Reachability	accessible by public transport
Length	4 kilometers
Elevation gain	↗ 150 m 150 m ↘
Duration	1:00 – 2.00 h
Destination	Gerschnialp mountain station funicular
Catering	Gasthaus Gerschnialp / Restaurant Untertrübsee(takeaway option at Restaurant Untertrübsee )

On the Grotto Path to the End of the World

Last but not least, there is a winter hiking tip that does not require a train ride. In the middle of the village centre of Engelberg starts the Grottenweg, which leads to the “end of the world” in Horbis with a path length of 3 kilometres. A secluded walking path that offers a beautiful panoramic view over the monastery of Engelberg in the first section and then dives into the forest. About halfway along the route there is a Lourdes grotto and “at the end of the world” in the back there are pretty chalets in front of massive rock walls to marvel at.

For the way back, you can either take the same route or let the signposts guide you over the other side of the valley back to the village centre of Engelberg.

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Key data Grottenweg: Engelberg – End of the World

For the entire round, about 1.5 to 2 hours (6.5 kilometers, 180 meters in altitude) are to be calculated. Good footwear (ideally with spikes) is a must, as some sections of the trail may be traveled depending on the snow situation/temperature.

Starting point	Engelberg railway station or community centre (1,000 m above sea level)
Reachability	accessible by public transport
Length	6.5 km
Elevation gain	↗ 180 m 180 m ↘
Duration	1:30 – 2.30 h
Destination	Engelberg train station or community centre
Catering	Restaurant End of the World (no takeaway option)

Extra tip: a better night’s sleep in Engelberg

We stayed at Villa Hundert during our stay in Engelberg. I discovered the accommodation this summer thanks to HTR reporting on the reopening or conversion of a former seminar house into a “boutique mountainscape”. The concept and the family ambience (9 guest rooms and a decentralized location a good 20 minutes walk above the village center of Engelberg) made me curious. In terms of style, Villa Hundert can best be compared to Lenk Lodge.

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We stayed in a classic room (from 175 CHF per night incl. breakfast) and also ate in the accommodation (freshly cooked, seasonal 3-course menu for around 50 CHF per person).

Conclusion: cozy furnishings, fantastic views and above all: peace! And all this without the pretense of luxury or “chichi”. The price-performance offer is right in my opinion here.

For all those who like it a little more luxurious (and as another tip, because the Villa Hundert unfortunately closed its doors again for an indefinite period of time after our stay), the newly opened Hotel Kempinski Palace Engelberg is also recommended at this point.

Practical tips for winter and snowshoe hikes in Engelberg

The snowshoe trail on the Fürenalp can only be reached by cable car. The cable car usually operates daily between 09:00 and 17:00 during the winter season. However, it also happens that the cable car has to stop operating at short notice due to strong winds (foehn wind) or the danger of avalanches. Therefore, consult the website of the Fürenalp cable car before your tour.

At the valley station of the Fürenalp cable car , snowshoes including poles can be rented for 4 hours (costs 8 CHF). The train ticket costs CHF 19.50 for adults (return). With GA/Half-Fare travelcard, there is a CHF 2 reduction on the ticket price. The valley station of the Fürenalp cable car can be reached from Engelberg either via the winter hiking trail (Professorenweg, approx. 4 kilometres) by bus no. 302 (from Engelberg, Sportingpark station) or by car.

In contrast to the Fürenalp, the Gerschnialp can also be reached on foot (from the Hotel Bänklialp via the Bänklialpweg). Alternatively, you can take the funicular, which is operated every half hour (please note: the departure time for the ascent and descent is postponed by 15 minutes). The return trip Engelberg-Gerschnialp costs CHF 14 for adults. With GA/Half-Fare travelcard, there is a 50% discount on the ticket price.

Up-to-date information on cable car operations, the open winter hiking trails and snowshoe trails as well as prices / booking options can be found on the Engelberg website. There are other marked trails in the region – including on the Brunni side. However, we have deliberately omitted the so-called sunny side of Engelberg, as this is the most famous corner of Engelberg next to the Titlis.