Nidwaldner Höhenweg, Stage 3/6

From Melchsee-Frutt the trail circles four mountain lakes before climbing over the Jochpass into Engelberg.

It begins at the shore of the Melchsee, past the small lakeside chapel, then continues to Tannensee below the Bonistock, where the cows outnumber the trees despite the name. Beyond Tannalp the path leaves the family-friendly section behind and enters the Engstlenalp nature reserve, a scattering of alpine buildings under the glaciers of Mt Titlis.

The climb to the Jochpass, at 2,207 metres, is the high point of the day, with the Bernese Alps opening up on the far side. From there the descent to Trübsee is steep, dropping through gravel tracks and short stretches of forest before the valley floor. Twenty-one kilometres in total, 640 metres of ascent and 1,550 metres of descent. Engelberg receives walkers with its Benedictine monastery and the last Belle Époque façades of the village.