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Behind the Pilatus

  1. Hiking
  2. culinary hikes
  3. panoramic hikes
  4. Sustainability
  5. autumn hikes
Route
Hiking Trail
Length
8.8 km
Travel time
approx. 4 h
Tour details
Tour details
Behind the Pilatus
View of Hergiswil
Photo: Nidwalden Tourismus, Nidwalden Tourismus
Behind the Pilatus
Typical Swiss Älplermagronen and veal liver "Heitertannli"
Photo: Nidwalden Tourismus, Nidwalden Tourismus
Behind the Pilatus
Oberlauelen
Photo: Nidwalden Tourismus, Nidwalden Tourismus
Behind the Pilatus
With the post bus from Eigenthal to Lucerne
Photo: Nidwalden Tourismus, Nidwalden Tourismus
Behind the Pilatus
Hergiswil, Aufstieg entlang dem Steinibach
Photo: Roland Baumgartner, Nidwalden Tourismus
Behind the Pilatus
Calf's liver "Heitertannli" in the mountain restaurant Alpgschwänd
Photo: Bergrestaurant Alpgschwänd, Nidwalden Tourismus
Behind the Pilatus
Bergwirtschaft zur Alpgschwänd
Photo: Bergwirtschaft Alpgschwänd, Nidwalden Tourismus
Behind the Pilatus
"Larded beef" at Alpwirtschaft Unterlauelen
Photo: Alpwirtschaft Unterlauelen, Nidwalden Tourismus
Behind the Pilatus
Alpwirtschaft Unterlauelen
Photo: Alpwirtschaft Unterlauelen, Nidwalden Tourismus
Behind the Pilatus
Ibex at Pilatus
Photo: Christina Bucher, Nidwalden Tourismus
Behind the Pilatus
Famous "Glasi" glass house in Hergiswil
Photo: Nidwalden Tourismus, Nidwalden Tourismus
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Hergiswil NW – Alpgschwänd – Fräkmüntegg – Unterlauelen
From Lake Lucerne (Hergiswil) via the Fräkmüntegg to the Eigenthal valley. A pleasant round walk that includes a boat trip (e.g. from Lucerne), a section by cable car to Alpgschwänd and a PostBus ride back to Lucerne. You pass the Alpgschwänd mountain restaurant with its traditional Central Swiss specialities as well at the Restaurant Fräkmüntegg with delicious Rösti creations. You could also stop for a bite to eat at the Unterlauelen alp restaurant: the perfect place for some peace and quiet and typical farm food.
Tour details
Tour details

Technical details

Tour type
Hiking Trail
Starting point
Hergiswil, NW
Point of arrival
Alpwirtschaft Unterlauelen, Eigenthal
Difficulty
Medium
Condition
4 / 6
Ascent
1002 m
Descent
385 m
Best Time of Year
March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Directions
From Hergiswil, you follow the Steinibach then take the aerial cableway to Alpgschwänd. After a break, it's an hour-and-a-half via the Fräkmüntegg to Unterlauelen. Once back down in the Eigenthal valley, take the PostBus back to Lucerne.
Author’s advice

A must try: The "piquant Drachenrösti" at the Fräkmüntegg restaurant or the " Geschlagene Rindfleisch (larded beef)" at the Unterlauelen Alpwirtschaft in Eigenthal.

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Good to know

Arrival / Return journey
By Zentralbahn railway or boat to Hergiswil.
Accessible by bus and train
Yes
Public transport
Take the Zentralbahn railway or the boat to Hergiswil. The return trip to Lucerne is by PostBus from the Eigenthal, Talboden stop. 
Further information & links

More information:

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

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

Nidwalden recipes to try out: nidwalden.com/recipes