Dallenwil and Wirzweli: Mountain Trails, Chapels and Winter Routes

Nature and Hiking Trails

Wirzweli has around 36 kilometres of marked, avalanche-safe snowshoe trails through unspoilt nature. A special combination of views and trail experience is offered by the ridge hike "The Ridge Towards the South": it leads from Stanserhorn via Ächerli, Arvigrat and Gummen at Wirzweli to Dallenwil, offering views in all directions of Lake Lucerne, Brünig Pass and the Engelberg Valley.

Wiesenberg is the starting point for various hikes, including routes to Stanserhorn and a circular hike to Wirzweli. The hike between Wiesenberg and Wirzweli is also suitable for prams. Two themed trails on Wirzweli are called the Weather Witches Trail and the Witches’ Trail; the tour "Exploring the Witches’ Worlds on Wirzweli" is listed as a moderately difficult hike measuring 4 kilometres and lasting approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

The Weather Witches Trail itself is a hike of approximately 4.2 kilometres, with a walking time of about 1.5 to 2 hours. It leads across meadows and through deep forests; along the way are witch stations and barbecue areas, and the hike is suitable for children aged 4 and over. Further routes on the hike "From Cable Car to Cable Car" lead via Grafenort, Geissmattli, Bielen, Diegisbalm, Oberalp, Gummenalp and Wirzweli to Dallenwil. The Fir Trail runs from Wirzweli via Gummenmattli and Hinterhegen to Gummenalp.

The Holzwang Chapel is a highly visible building at an altitude of 1,450 metres at Chänzeli, on the foothills of Chli Horn on Stanserhorn and at the cantonal border with Obwalden.

Winter and Shared Activities

The toboggan run from Gummenalp to Wirzweli is 4.5 kilometres long and takes approximately 40 to 60 minutes. The Wirzweli ski area is located in the municipality of Dallenwil and is maintained and preserved through the continued operation of the ski lifts for children and adults.

The Eggwald ski lift is 550 metres long, surrounded by blue runs and has a moderate gradient. The slope, particularly in its lower section, is used by beginners as a practice area. Directly next to it is the children’s drag lift, a button-free rope lift with a practice slope for first attempts on the piste.

The Wirzweli Witches’ Playground is a large, family-friendly playground at over 1,200 metres above sea level, accessible by train or on foot. In a natural setting, the Wirzweli Archery Park offers various courses for beginners and experienced archers.

Trails by the Water and on Two Wheels

The family-friendly Aawasser Trail begins shortly after Dallenwil railway station and runs along the Engelberger Aa to Oberdorf. The trail can be walked year-round and is a broad path lined with bushes, trees and benches.

A pleasant family cycling tour also runs along the Engelberger Aa and is possible year-round. The cycling tour leads from Grafenort via Wolfenschiessen to Dallenwil.

Getting to the Mountain Areas

The Dallenwil–Wirzweli aerial cableway, a group shuttle cable car, takes around 10 minutes from Dallenwil to Wirzweli and can carry 44 people. The valley station can be reached from Dallenwil railway station by free shuttle bus or on foot in 15 minutes.

The four-person Dallenwil–Wiesenberg aerial cableway also takes around 10 minutes; its valley station is in the centre of Dallenwil village, about 100 metres from the railway station. Wirzweli can be reached from Dallenwil by cable car; from there, a footpath leads to the valley station, for which a walking time of 20 minutes is indicated.

Culture, Chapels and History

The Wirzweli mountain chapel was ceremonially inaugurated on 14 September 1980. It serves hikers and visitors as a place to pause and reflect; services are occasionally held there, sometimes accompanied by music and yodelling.

Every year on the last Sunday in July, the yodelling service with the Wiesenberg Yodelling Club takes place in the Wirzweli mountain chapel. The Wiesenberg Yodelling Club was founded in Wiesenberg. In June, the ecumenical St John’s celebration is also held in the chapel every year, during which women from the village make flower wreaths together with children.

The Church of St Lawrence in Dallenwil was built in 1699, enlarged to its present size in 1903 and elevated to an independent parish in 1923.

Alpine Meadows and Cheese-Making Traditions

The "Alpengold Wirzweli" circular trail begins and ends in Dallenwil and connects alpine meadows, traditional dairies and the Alpsbrinz cheese tradition. At the Alpengold Trail, the Huismatt dairy offers local cheese to taste in its farm shop and can organise guided tours of the dairy and loose-housing barn.

Other places:Bürgenstock, Emmetten, Buochs, Ennetbürgen, Ennetmoos, Büren and Beckenried.

To the higher-level travel overview: Nidwalden.