At the foot of the Brisen
Niederrickenbach – Alpboden – Haldigrat – Brisenhaus – Musenalp (– Niederrickenbach)
moderate
11.5 km
5:03 h
1,153 m
1,154 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
A Nussstange hazelnut pastry at the Brisenhaus refuge, 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.
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,071 m
Lowest point
1,155 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
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Jun
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Aug
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Dec
Tips, hints and links
Visit nidwalden.com/culinary-hikes for more gastronomy from Nidwalden.Start
Niederrickenbach (1,156 m)
Coordinates:
DD
46.929726, 8.427164
DMS
46°55'47.0"N 8°25'37.8"E
UTM
32T 456392 5197514
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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
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Public transport friendly
Zentralbahn railway to NiederrickenbachCoordinates
DD
46.929726, 8.427164
DMS
46°55'47.0"N 8°25'37.8"E
UTM
32T 456392 5197514
w3w
///motivates.adopting.elect
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
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