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At the foot of the Brisen

· 1 review · Hiking Trail · Oberdorf (NW)
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Nidwalden Tourismus Explorers Choice 
  • Cableway Dallenwil-Niederrickenbach
    Cableway Dallenwil-Niederrickenbach
    Photo: Hampi Krähenbühl, Nidwalden Tourismus
Niederrickenbach – Alpboden – Haldigrat – Brisenhaus – Musenalp (– Niederrickenbach)
moderate
Distance 11.5 km
5:05 h
1,153 m
1,132 m
2,071 m
1,155 m
The convent village of Maria-Rickenbach (Niederrickenbach) is reached from Dallenwil (Niederrickenbach lower terminus) with the aerial cableway. Many visitors pop into the Pilgerhaus near the summit terminus to learn the secret of the Alpöhi dessert. It takes half-an-hour to reach the lower terminus of the unusual chairlift to Haldigrat: it can only carry eight passengers a time. You then walk to the Brisenhaus and via Bärenfallen to the Musenalp opposite. After a snack – do try the well-known Nidwalden Bratchässchnitte – take the aerial cableways back down to the valley. The walking time from Haldigrat is two-and-a-half hours, not counting breaks.

Author’s recommendation

"Alpöhi" dessert at the Pilgerhaus Maria-Rickenbach and then a "Nidwalden Bratchässchnitte" at Musenalp to round off the outing: in contrast to raclette, this cheese slice is made by melting grated cheese in a frying pan and spreading it over a slice of wholemeal bread.
Profile picture of Nidwalden Tourismus
Author
Nidwalden Tourismus 
Update: October 27, 2021
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,071 m
Lowest point
1,155 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Forested/wild trail 4.57%Path 53.92%Road 15.59%Lift/cableway 25.57%Unknown 0.32%
Forested/wild trail
0.5 km
Path
6.2 km
Road
1.8 km
Lift/cableway
3 km
Unknown
0 km
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Tips and hints

More information:

Nidwalden Tourismus
Bahnhofplatz 2
6370 Stans
+41 41 610 88 33
info@nidwalden.com
nidwalden.com

Visit nidwalden.com/culinary-hikes for more gastronomy from Nidwalden.

Nidwalden recipes to try out: nidwalden.com/recipes 

Start

Niederrickenbach (1,156 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'675'281E 1'198'099N
DD
46.929726, 8.427164
DMS
46°55'47.0"N 8°25'37.8"E
UTM
32T 456392 5197514
w3w 
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Destination

Niederrickenbach

Turn-by-turn directions

It takes half-an-hour to walk from Niederrickenbach upper terminus to the chairlift at Haldigrat. After a break in the restaurant, there are two ways of reaching the Brisenhaus refuge (run by the Pilatus section of the Swiss Alpine Club): a 150 m climb, then via Peterslücke and around the Zwelfer; or first a descent northwards and then a flat walk. You then follow a mountain path via Bärenfallen to the Musenalp opposite. Have a bite to eat here before taking the aerial cableways back to the valley.

Note

Wildlife refuge Brisen: December 15 - April 30
all notes on protected areas

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

Zentralbahn railway to Niederrickenbach

Coordinates

SwissGrid
2'675'281E 1'198'099N
DD
46.929726, 8.427164
DMS
46°55'47.0"N 8°25'37.8"E
UTM
32T 456392 5197514
w3w 
///motivates.adopting.elect
Show on Map
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

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Rating

5.0
(1)
Piotr Pociej
November 08, 2020 · Community
Awesome hike, quite flexible if you want to adjust it on the way. Great views!
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Photo: Piotr Pociej, Community
Photo: Piotr Pociej, CC BY, Community

Photos from others

+ 1

Reviews
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
11.5 km
Duration
5:05 h
Ascent
1,153 m
Descent
1,132 m
Highest point
2,071 m
Lowest point
1,155 m
Public-transport-friendly Circular route Scenic Refreshment stops available Cableway ascent/descent

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