Temperatures reached 30°C last week and it finally felt like summer! To make it even better, my husband took a couple days off work so we could go exploring when it would be arguably less crowded than the weekend.
On Friday, we took the top off the convertible, packed a picnic lunch and the camera gear and headed to Engelberg. Engelberg, especially the Titlis, is a popular destination in the winter and in the summer. Our plan was to hike part of the HöWa 572 from Trübsee to the Jochpass. Incidentally, this is part of the Mountainman 2012 marathon route! For those looking for a less strenuous experience, you can walk from the Trübsee station to Alpstubli. From there, you can take a chairlift to the Jochpass. You can continue your exploration by meandering on the trails nearby or hop onto another lift and head down to Schaftal and then walk to Engstlensee. There are many options! Guide maps can be found at the Engelberg Tourist center and at the Titlis-Rotair lift. It is also possible to explore the topo maps on line. With a SwissMobilityCard membership, you can plan and print your route.
The hiking trail from Trübsee to the Jochpass is rated as medium difficulty because of the steep climbs, but this stretch is not technical. You meander through a meadow and rocky environment with the Ochsenhorn looming in front of you, the Titlis to your left and a sheer wall on the opposite flank. I am not fond of heights and in spite of the dramatic landscape, I never felt afraid. Because of the constant climb, I noticed that many hikers were aided in their efforts by the use of walking sticks. I did not have any with me and my quads are still feeling it. This is something to consider should you try the trip yourself.
Once reaching the Jochpass, we were all about finding a spot to enjoy our picnic! We found a nice little knoll with a view of the Engstlensee and a glimpse of the Tennensee. Swiss brown cows grazed around us and the warning call of marmots could be heard echoing in the distance. We spent a bit of time lolling about and then wandered through the meadows to say “hello” to the cows and check out the views.
After an ice cream at the Jochpass Berghaus, we decided to take the chairlift down to Alpstubli so that we could relax and enjoy the views. Yes, we may have had tired feet and legs too. From there, we walked the loop around the Trübsee, flat and easy, before heading back to Engelberg.
I would highly recommend the Titlis as a summer fun spot both for families, plenty of picnic spots in the area around the Trübsee Lake, and for hikers, several energetic routes to get the blood pumping with views that justify the effort! If hiking is not your passion, you can enjoy mountain biking and try out a devil bike! .It is a destination that has something for everyone!
Happy Exploring!
Engelberg-Titlis Tourismus AG
Tourist Center
CH-6390 Engelberg
Phone: +41.41.639.77.77
Email: welcome@engelberg.ch