Beautiful mountain views from this short snowshoe trail near Lucerne. It’s a circular route that hikes through the forest to reach the impressive Stollen panorama viewpoint on the top of some cliffs. The hike starts and ends at the ski piste, which is a little busy. But most of the hike is away from the crowds, where you can quietly enjoy the winter scenery.
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| Location: | Canton Nidwalden, Central Switzerland |
| Address: | Beckenried-Klewenalp cable car: Kirchweg, 6375 Beckenried |
| Car: | Parking: 46°57’57.0″N 8°28’22.9″E 25 mins from Luzern, 1hr from Zurich |
| Transit: | Bus stop: Beckenried, Post 50 mins from Lucerne, 1hr50 from Zürich |
| Trail: | 3 km loop, about 90 mins |
| Elevation: | highest point 1655m |
| Condition: | marked trail, snow not groomed |
| Skill: | moderate, 100m up/down |
| Open: | Dec through March, assuming snow |
| Services: | Restaurants |
| Prices 2021: | Hiking day pass: Adult CHF 40, Child & SBB Half-fare CHF 20, Free with GA |
| More info: | klewenalp.ch • webcam • trail status |
Location
This snowshoe trail is in Klewenalp, a mountain resort in central Switzerland, southeast of Luzern.
Here’s the Klewenalp winter map. I’ve pointed out things important for this outing.
Trail map
The trail starts at the top of the Beckenried-Klewenalp cable car. You walk up to the ski piste and cross it, then enter the forest. Then hike up to a panorama viewpoint on some cliffs. Then loop up to the top of the ski hill, where you’ll find a hut selling food. Then hike down the ski piste back to your starting point.
See trail map on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive
Longer trail option
If you want a longer hike, instead of doing the loop, you can hike to the Stockhütte cable car, ride down, then return by bus to Beckenried. To do this, after visiting the Stollen viewpoint, continue the loop until you join another winter trail. Turn left, following signs to Stockhütte, about 2.5 km more walking. See more snowshoe trails and winter hikes at Klewenalp.
Getting there
The Klewenalp cable car leaves from Beckenried, a small village on Lake Lucerne just off the freeway.
By car: Drive to Beckenried and follow signs to the cable car. There is a large metered parking lot next to the cable car station. Parking costs CHF 5/day.
By public transport: Take a train to Stans, then bus 311 to Beckenried, Post. It’s a short walk to the cable car station as shown below.
Cable car ticket prices
To access this trail, you ride up the Beckenried-Klewenalp cable car. Buy the “Fussgängertageskarte” aka Hiker Day Pass. This day pass includes up and down on the this cable car, as well as other lifts you won’t need but can be used for other winter hikes.
In the 2021/22 season, this day pass costs costs CHF 40/adult. Children aged 6-15 and SBB Half-fare card cost CHF 20. Those with GA or Swiss Travel Pass ride free. See current prices.
Opening times
Klewenalp winter season is from 11 Dec 2021 to 20 March 2021. The cable car runs daily, every 20 mins from 8:05 – 18:05. It’s a large cable car, fitting about 69 people (may be reduced due to pandemic restrictions). See current prices and operating times. Make sure to check the trail status before heading out.
What to bring and wear
You can rent snowshoes and poles at valley station of the cable car or the Arena Sport shop at the top of the cable car. You should wear waterproof hiking shoes, to which the snowshoes will attach. You should wear warm layers appropriate to the weather forecast and waterproof outer layers to stay dry in the snow. See also What to pack & wear on a winter hike.
It’s a short hike, so you don’t need to bring a lot of supplies. I would bring 1L of water/person and snacks.
Where to eat
There are restaurants near the cable car. There are also two restaurants at the top of the ski lift, where you will arrive after about 1hr of hiking. The views are great up here, but it can be very crowded on a ski day. We planned to eat here but the lines were so long that we decided to keep hiking and eat later.
One snowshoe group was picnicking at the highest point of the trail, which had spectacular views (the pic at the top of this post). Even though you need to sit in the snow, I think this would be a great choice because you are away from the crowds.
Photo story of the trail
Riding up the cable car from Emmetten, with a view of Lake Lucerne.
Arriving in Klewenalp
From the cable car, you walk towards the ski pistes. The snowshoe trail starts on the other side of these buildings.
View to the west. You can see the winter hiking trail cut across the mountain. Let’s do that next time.
There are three snowshoe trails in this area. I think we picked the best one.
Crossing the ski piste
The Stollen snowshoe trail starts by crossing the ski piste that you see here. You can see a couple hikers standing next to the pink snowshoe trail sign, which is where you turn left and cross.
We pFamily ready to start the snowshoe part of the hike.
Watch out for oncoming skiers as you cross the piste and move with purpose.
Once across we had to walk down a bit to the next crossing at the pink signs.
You have to cross the drag lift area. Wait until the skiers pass, then walk quickly across.
Into the forest
Now we start the proper snowshoe part of the trail, much quieter.
A little chilly in the forest, but lots of interesting lumpy terrain.
Occasionally you break out of the forest to get gorgeous views down to Lake Lucerne.
Short detour to Stollen viewpoint
At this sign, turn left and walk a couple minutes to the Stollen viewpoint. Then you’ll return back to this sign and follow directions to Bergstation Klewenalp (the cable car).
The viewpoint is on the cliffs, so be very careful walking out here.
The Stollen viewpoint is a great place for a picnic. Make sure to bring a sit pad to keep your bottom dry.
The money shot. We walked very carefully out to this point to get this epic pic.
Here are the cliffs we are walking above.
Continue loop
After enjoying the view, walk back to that trail sign and continue the loop. After a few minutes, you reach some stairs, which were very tricky with snowshoes. I imagine that with more snow, it would be easier. But it’s still very steep and takes some skill and care to descend safely.
After the stairs, you join another winter walking trail. Turn right following the sign: Stollentrail / Klewenalp. To the right, the trail leads to another cable car at Stockhütte.
Gorgeous, quiet part of the trail.
Looking back on the trail.
Arriving at ski hill & food
After climbing back uphill, you reach the top of the ski lifts.
Lots of skiers take their lunch break here.
This kiosk sold simple meals like sausage, soup, pasta, burgers, chicken nuggets & fries. The lines were too long for us, so we just ate our snacks and kept going.
Hike down sled route to cable car
After the ski huts, the snowshoe trail follows the sledding trail back down the mountain. This part of the trail wasn’t amazing because you are right on the piste, with sledders and skiers buzzing by. But at least it’s short.
Almost back to our starting point. Still great views all the way, even if this part was a little civilized.
I hope you like this snowshoe trail!
