15 Awesome things to do in Engelberg (plus itineraries)

Engelberg is well known for it’s home mountain, Mount Titlis, and rightly so. It is a beautiful day trip from either Lucerne or Zürich. But maybe you plan to stay a bit longer and want to know all the best things to do in Engelberg in a weekend? Then read on!

This beautiful village resort in the region of Obwalden has plenty great activities for outdoor enthusiasts to discover.

Activities such as hiking, rock climbing, paragliding and biking, not to forget the many family friendly playgrounds with amazing mountain views will enhance your visit to Engelberg.

For less sporty visitors, a wander into the village’s culture and history will enrich mind and soul.

Pick the activities below that fit on your list of the best things to do in Engelberg and discover this great place in Switzerland.

Best Things to do in Engelberg – around the village

The activities and things to see below should help you plan your visit to the biggest summer – and winter holiday paradise in central Switzerland. Engelberg is ideal for families with children of all ages, but also active groups of friends will find plenty of things to do.

On the map you can find the location of all the great things to do and see in Engelberg. This gives you a bit of an understanding where they are located within the valley. I have not circled the activities which are within the village of Engelberg itself on the map.

If you do not want to go through the list below of the best things to do in Engelberg, you can jump straight to our suggestions and check out our Engelberg itinerary. And for a more virtual feel visit our Instagram. Under the Engelberg highlights you will find all the best activities listed in this blog.

The Village of Engelberg

Follow the village trail that guides you around Engelberg.

The Engelberg Village walk is actually a village game trail with 19 different posts.

We always found these self-guided walks around a village the best way to get to know a place, and this one comes with a game, perfect for the whole family. To get to this village plan and find out more head to the Engelberg website.

Engelberg Abbey

If you do not have enough time to discover the whole village make sure you are visiting the Engelberg Abbey. You will be in awe when entering the Abbey, a Benedictine monastery for monks and nuns.

The building is part of Engelberg’s rich history with the building completion date over 900 years ago. This keeps the cultural treasures and traditions present every day.

Within the monastery, visit the cheese and flower shop, and the herb garden as well.

Visit the Cheese Factory

The Engelberg monastery is also home to the Famous Engelberg cheese factory. One of the only factories in Switzerland where you can watch the process of cheese being made by hand.

Of course, you also get to taste a lot of their cheeses including the famous Engelberger Klosterglocke cheese.

The cheese factory produces sheep and goats cheese, alpine cheese and different yoghurts. A great experience for the whole family.

After the factory head to the local shop which invites you to discover more local products. There is a small restaurant within, where you can try some of their products straight away before buying. This is a great place to stock up on presents and souvenirs for your friends.

Check on timing and booking procedure

Eating out in Engelberg

As with many Swiss alpine resort villages, Engelberg is no different and offers a wide variety of restaurants. Influenced by German, French, Italian and Indian cuisines. Due to the number of visitors to Engelberg from India, you will also find tasty Indian food restaurants.

People say the Spice Bistro at the Titlis valley station is great! Let me know if you tested it and agree with this statement?

If you prefer to stay on the side of the Swiss Cuisine check out the Alpenclub, Spannort the Brasserie and the Gasthause Schwand.

Sporting Park Engelberg

Engelberg is known to be a great sports progression community. Many great Swiss professional sports personalities have trained here in Engelberg.

Therefore it is no surprise that you will find a great sports complex. Ideal for when the weather is not on the sunny side.

The Sporting Park Engelberg offers a wide range of sports.

For tennis fans, there are two indoor courts and, in summer, an additional four outdoor courts.

Summer indoor ice skating and ice hockey are available, and during the winter months these sports can be practiced on the natural ice field outside.

An amazing 12-metre high climbing wall will keep you and the family occupied for hours.

Engelberg Adventure Seil Park

At the outskirt of Engelberg by the valley cable car station Fürenalp is the location of the great Adventure Seil Park Engelberg.

Many different routes are available for all age levels. As of 130cm (body height) the door opens to the big park, but be warned, if the kids have never tried this type of activity, it maybe better to first try a simpler route.

Our kids did not hit the benchmark of 130cm, but they had a blast on the three well maintained trails which were adequate for them. The good thing was that we could let them explore it at their own speed.

There is even a trail for the very little ones.

You will also find a restaurant on site that offers small snacks and drinks. Toilets are at the Fürenalp cable car station, where you park.

Best Things to do in Engelberg on the mountain

Now, that you have discovered a few great things to do in Engelberg village it is time to plan your time in this beautiful region on the mountain.

The collection below includes some of the great family theme trails, a fun bike ride and not to forget the great play grounds for the kids that Engelberg has to offer.

 Visit Mount Titlis

For sure one of the most popular activities in Engelberg is to ride up to 3020 meters above sea level and visit Mount Titlis.

The eternal ice and all year-round snow mountain attracts tourists from far and wide.

Not only can you walk over the record-breaking TITLIS Cliff Walk (Europe’s highest suspension bridge) but also walk inside a glacier. The Glacier ice tunnel is believed to be over 5000-years-old. Amazing right?

The Titlis Cliff walk is not to be mixed up with the Grindelwald-First Cliff walk.

Another wow factor, is the ride from Stand up to Mount Titlis. The last stretch is with the Titlis Rotair, the world’s first revolving cable car. Make sure you have a window place to experience this great phenomenon.

Read our full guide on How Best to Visit Mount Titlis

Trübsee Lake Walk & Playground

If you have time when visiting Mount Titlis, stop at Trübsee (intermediate cable car station) and head down to the lake.

Alternatively, if you don’t ride up to 3020 meters into the snow, plan a day at Trübsee from Engelberg.

This beautiful alpine lake can be reached by a gondola ride from the Engelberg-Titlis cable car station. At the first stop, disembark the gondola.

Only a 5 minute walk and you will be at the shore of lake Trübsee.

If you plan the lake walk with the family, make sure to pick up the “Schmugglis Schatzsuche” leaflet. The theme trail is great and at each stop a small playground awaits the kids.

Don’t forget to collect the stamps which will give you the missing word. A surprise awaits the kids when returning the leaflet to the Trübsee restaurant.

The walk is 3.2km and will take normally no longer than 1.5 hours, but as there is a playground at nearly every corner, it may take much longer!

You also find different BBQ grill stations which invite for a great BBQ party. Wood is available on site.

Other (payable) activities around Trübsee are

• Romantic boat rowing on Trübsee
• Trübsee flyer zipline & Adventure Park
  Fly 500 metres from the Trübsee station down to the adventure playground by the lake. Children need to be minimum 8 years old and weigh 30kg.

The amazing Berghotel Trübsee is a great place to stay the night.

Hike the Sbrinz Weg – Trübsee to Engelberg

Another great thing to do in Engelberg and when up at Trübsee is to follow the Sbrinz Weg down to Engelberg.

Follow the theme trail which talks about the historic Sbrinz Route which leads from Lucerne via Engelberg to Domodossola.

This is where the popular Sbrinz cheese used to be brought and exchanged for red wine, olive oil, and other Italian goods.

The two main characters, Smuggler Engelbert and his mule Schmuggli lead you along the trail and you need to solve six riddles from Trübsee to Untertrübsee.

You need to have a wooden cheese wheel that can be purchased at any Engelberg-Titlis station counter, at the Trübsee Berghotel or just before the hike is a self-service machine. Bring a 5.- piece and you will get your wooden cheese.

The Sbrinz Weg is a downhill hike and in some areas can get quite steep. The trail is not pushchair friendly as it follows a mountain path and good shoes are advised.

At the end if you have found the missing word, you can enter the draw where some great prizes await, like a weekend in Engelberg, season pass for Engelberg-Titlis and others.

Sbrinz Weg Hiking Facts

• From Trübsee to the start of the hike, (opposite side of the lake) count about 30 minutes
• Sbrinz Weg to Untertrübsee, a further minimum 1h 30 min needs to be counted if doing all the posts correctly. More if you hike with many children and all want to do the activity at the posts.
• Untertrübsee to Engelberg, add another 45 minutes to the hike with a section passing through the forest. Whereas at the end before reaching Engelberg village some beautiful views open up over the valley.
• Opening of this trail: Beginning of July to the end of October.
• BONUS: Untertrübsee to Engelberg with Trotti Bike: 20 minutes.
  The Trotti Bike ride is available for children from the age of 10 and a minimum height of 130 cm.
  You can rent the bike at the Untertrübsee restaurant at the end of the Sbrinz Weg.
  Enjoy the 3.5-kilometre ride through forests down to the valley station of the TITLIS cable cars.

Best Things to do in Engelberg on the Sunny side

The Brunni Mountain or also called by the locals, the Sunny Mountain of Engelberg, has again plenty of activities on offer.

One day is simply not enough to explore them all. Let’s start with the favourite things to do at Brunni so you can see which you want to add to your Engelberg Itinerary.

The Brunni mountain has two sections, the first can be reached with the Brunni-Bahn from Engelberg Village.

After a short walk you change to a chairlift and head up to the Brunni Berghütte where Lake Herzlisee and other activities await.

Playground at Ristis – Brunni (1^st section)

 What an amazing place this is. The playground is awesome and accommodates children of all ages.

Picnic tables with sun-umbrellas are scattered throughout.

The best part is the summer toboggan run. What a blast we had. You can book single trips, but believe me one is never enough. We ended up paying for two packages of 10 runs. We absolutely loved it.

The restaurant Ristis invites with its large sunny terrace to take a seat and have lunch if sandwiches are not your plan for the day.

Walking or Hiking at Brunni

Many trails lead off in all directions. The great thing is that you will also find short and easy hikes that will fit perfectly between the playground and summer toboggan fun. Here are some we suggest.

Pushchair and wheelchair friendly: From Ristis take the path number 3 to Rigidalap. You will be rewarded with a great panorama of the Engelberg mountains. At the end it is uphill, just be warned.

Barefoot path Ristis to Brunnihütte
Number six (on the map) is the barefoot path where you will have the chance to connect with the sensitive points on your feet.

Globi & Globine theme trail – Ristis to Brunnihütte
A favourite for the children is definitely to do one of the popular Globi trails. You need to get a leaflet at the restaurant to guide you along and collect the answers.

At the end the kids can choose from some nice gifts These two-trails cost Chf 5.- each.

The Globi trail is the easier one. The kids needed to find the hidden treasure along the trail, nothing difficult and it was a nice walk in a beautiful area with breathtaking views.

Whereas the Globine trail involved solving a quiz. We will do this next time.

NOTE: The trails between Ristis and Brunnihütte – Herzlisee can be done either uphill or downhill. You can save yourself the fee for the chairlift if you walk one way.

There are many BBQ grill stations to be found along the trails and all provide wood.

Things to do at Brunnihütte Herzlisee

You will be heading from one paradise to another. I could not choose which part is the best, down at Ristis with the summer toboggan and the great playground or up here around lake Herzlisee.

Barefoot path at Lake Herzlisee

Ok this is not for those who dislike cold water. Around the lake is a beautiful path which goes in and out of the lake, but goodness me the water was super cold. Therefore, I say well done if you do it all without cheating.

Many picnic and grill stations can be found up in a large open area. A buvette sells small snacks, sausages for the grill and ice-creams. Otherwise there is the Brunnihütte Restaurant with a large terrace.

Climbing & Via Ferrata at Brunni

A climbing section is situated only 5 minutes walk from the Brunnihütte and Lake Herzlisee. You find routes from 4a to 6b.

It is also accessible from the top should you not be in the position to do a lead climb. Several Via Ferrata’s for all levels can also be found. These are found a bit further away from the rock climbing wall.

Best Things to do in Engelberg at the far side valley

The last area that we will cover here in Engelberg is the far side valley covering Fürenalp all all the way to Stäfeli restaurant. You will start our suggested bike route in Engelberg, and head to Fürenalp still in the Swiss Canton Obwalden. By the time you arrive at the Stäfeli restaurant you will be in the Canton Uri.

Bike ride in Engelberg – Stäfeli

When we’re planning an active outdoor family holiday then the bikes are never far away. It not only gives us a great change from the hiking adventures, but we also love to bring the bikes to drive around the village.

We cover much more ground and the kids love it.

But of course, we did not bring the bikes to drive around Engelberg village but to discover one of the many bike trails the region as on offer.

We chose the family friendly bike route to Stäfeli which is possible to complete in a loop version or simply a there and back.

The bike route

Head through the village and aim to reach the adventure Seilpark in Engelberg at the end of the valley where it starts to narrow.

After about 1.5 km the road becomes a natural road, and follows the Engelberger Aa River, through ther small forests with their fir trees. Needless to say, this is amazing during the autumn months.

The last stretch up to the restaurant needs a bit more power in the legs but when you reach the Stäfeli Beizli (restaurant), you have achieved the goal of this bike tour in Engelberg.

Enjoy lunch if you are in time and have a well-earned rest. Take the same way back or use the narrower parallel trail on the other side of the river.

Tour facts: Engelberg – Stäffli 9km with 420 m altitude change

You have the possibility to extend this route further along the valley.

Relax at Fürenalp – Playground & Small Lake

Definitely a nice place to relax is up at Fürenalp in Engelberg. Many hiking trails start from this summit station, but if hiking is not on your agenda, this is still a great place to be.

Take the cable car which is located next to the Adventure Seilpark Engelberg at the end of the Engelberg valley. The ride gives you amazing views over the whole valley and the steepness of this gondola is insane.

At Fürenalp you will find a nice playground with a trampoline, a restaurant and a small path that leads you in less than 5 minutes to a small lake called Panorama Seeli.

This whole place was such a surprise to us as we did not really know what to expect.

The small lake gives great photo opportunities as the reflection on a wind free day are beautiful.

Engelberg Itinerary

Here are some great itinerary suggestions when staying one or several days in Engelberg Switzerland. The itinerary can be changed as you wish.

One day in Engelberg

If you really only have one day in Engelberg and what to get the most out of this place then we suggest the following.

• Get to Engelberg early and head straight up to visit Mount Titlis. Count 2-3 hours.
• On the way down stop at Trübsee and do at least the walk around lake Trübsee and the treasure hunt for the kids. Count 2 hours including lunch.
• Head up to Fürenalp to enjoy a different view of Engelberg. There is a playground and restaurant at the top. Count 1 hour at the top
• Take the gondola back down to Engelberg and finish your one day in Engelberg with a visit to the Engelberg Abbey. Count 30 minutes

Travel tip: When you are planning your day, make sure you check the timings of the cable cars in Engelberg. The Engelberg Abbey can be visited 24 hours a day.

Two Days in Engelberg

• Start your 1st day in Engelberg at the sunny side and head up with the Brunni-Bahn and enjoy the Brunni area playground.
• In the afternoon head up to Brunnihütte and Herzlisee. You can take the chairlift or hike up. If you have time you could to some climbing at Brunni.
• Late afternoon, make your way back down to Engelberg with the Brunni-Bahn and head to Trübsee where you will spend the night. Last cable car up from Engelberg to Trübsee is at 4.05pm.
• Check-in and enjoy the quiet Trübsee area and the Berghotel Trübsee.
• In the morning take advantage of already being halfway up the mountain and head up to Mount Titlis with the first gondola. Count 2 hours
• Head back to Trübsee, walk around lake Trübsee and complete the treasure hunt, have a BBQ at the lake. Take the cable car back down to Engelberg. Or, after you visited Trübsee instead of taking the Gondola back down, hike down along the Sbrinz Weg. Count 2.5 hours for the walk down.
• Before heading home you have to visit the Engelberg Abbey. Count 30 minutes

Travel tip: Ask the Berghotel Trübsee to transport your luggage to Engelberg if you decide to hike the Sbrinz Weg down. For both theme-trails the walk around Trübsee and the Sbrinzweg, make sure you have the leaflets with you to complete the missing words. You can get them at the Berghotel and Restaurant Trübsee

Three Days in Engelberg

• Plan your 1st day in Engelberg with the family friendly bike route to Stäfeli, and have lunch there.
• When you are back down the valley, visit the Engelberg Seilpark OR head up to Fürenalp to end your day.
• Check-in at the Hotel Terrace Titlis.
• Day two and three copy the Itinerary – Two Days in Engelberg.

Hotels in Engelberg Switzerland

If you are lucky enough to spend more than just one day in Engelberg then here are our choices of Hotels in Engelberg.

• Hotel Terrace -Titlis, situated on a higher level overlooking the beautiful village of Engelberg. The Hotel is undergoing a big make over and the new rooms are spacious, modern and clean. You will find a cosy gin bar with over 1000 different gin’s. Enjoy your favourite whilst sitting on the terrace with views over Engelberg and the mountains. Hotel Terrace also offer new family rooms.
• Berghotel Trübsee, We absolutely loved our stay at the Berghotel Trübsee up the mountain. The advantage if you stay half way up the mountain is firstly, you get to experience a place that is quite busy during the day, in all its glory and peacefulness when all the day tourists have left. Secondly, you are already half way to your next days activity!
• Berglodge Ristis – Brunni, another great contender if you love sleeping out of town and up the mountain. The simple Berglodge Ristis is right at the Brunni-Bahnen Bergstation and by the awesome playground. Perfect location if you like to explore the whole Brunni area.

The map below shows you some more options, should the hotels above be fully booked.

Other things to do around Lake Lucerne Region

As Engelberg – Titlis is within the Lake Lucerne Region in Central Switzerland you have plenty more areas to discover and plan a great holiday here. Click through the suggestions below and start planning. If you have any questions please do ask them below in the comments. Happy Planning.

• Lucerne to Mount Pilatus – How best to get there
• Melchsee-Frutt – Best things to do, & Hotel Review
• Klewenalp – Climbing, safari and Trotti bikes
• Best day trips from Lucerne
• Lucerne in Winter – 3 Day getaway Itinerary city to peak
• LILU – Light festival in Lucerne ( January only)
• Glamping in Willisau -Lucerne ( and bike ride)
• Visit the Hammetschwand Lift from Lucerne
• Trip from Lucerne to Jungfraujoch

I hope that the information provided here will prove itself useful during the time, you are planning to visit Engelberg -Titlis area.

Note: This visit was in collaboration with Lucerne Tourism and Engelberg-Titlis – Thank you again. As always, you can be sure that we will express our views and enthusiasm here.

The purpose of such collaborations is to introduce to you great new family destinations and activities and give you tips and suggestions 1st hand.

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