I’m so happy we finally discovered the Melchsee Frutt mountain resort. It’s a wonderful option for families with little kids and visitors with limited mobility that still want to experience the alps.
After riding the gondola up to an alpine lake, you can take a little “train” along the trail, so you can see the whole area without walking it. The train has several stops along the way, so you can walk as much or little as you like and then catch the train when you are tired.
The scenery is spectacular with both near and far dramatic peaks, two super blue lakes, rolling grassy hills, and plenty of cows to befriend.
Location: | Central Switzerland |
Car: | Stockalp-Melchsee Frutt cable car Stöckalp, 6067 Melchtal (46°48’11.8″N 8°16’45.8″E) From Lucern 35 mins, Zurich 1hr20 |
Train: | Bus stop: Stöckalp From Lucerne 1hr10, Zurich 2hr10 |
Trail: | 2 km one way along lake |
Condition: | dirt, obstacle-free |
Skill: | easy |
Cost 2023: | day pass Adult CHF 39 / Kids under 15 ride free Discounts with Swiss travel passes |
Open: | June through October |
More info: | www.melchsee-frutt.ch |
Gallery
Melchsee-Frutt overview
Melchsee-Frutt is a mountain resort with two alpine lakes. You reach the resort with a cable car from the valley. You can take a small train/bus to the far side of the resort and walk back along the lakes. There many hiking options as shown on the panorama hiking map below.
Hiking map
Short version
We did a little 2 km stroller-friendly walk along the lake. After taking the cable car up to Melchsee-Frutt, take the “train” shuttle to Tannensee, the stop at the far side of the second lake. Then walk on the south side of the lake until you reach the dam. Walk across the dam to reach the Tannenalp shuttle stop and ride back to the gondola.
Longer version
If you’d like to walk longer, we suggest starting your walk at the gondola station and walking out to the Tannensee lake. Then walk a little farther to Tannalp, where you’ll find a restaurant and alpine dairy. Then ride the Frutt-zug shuttle back the way you came. The path is still very flat and easy walking, just a bit longer.
More difficult version
If you want more of a mountain hike, we suggest the Bonistock Ridge trail, which hikes above the lakes along the ridge before descending through the alpine meadows.
Getting There
The Melchsee-Frutt mountain resort is south of Lucerne, accessed by the Stöckalp cable car.
By car: Drive to Sarnen, then turn east on Sarnenstrasse following signs to Stöckalp (46°48’11.8″N 8°16’45.8″E). There is a large metered parking lot next to the cable car station.
By public transport: Take a train to Sarnen, then a bus to Stöckalp. The bus drops off at the cable car station.
Planning your day
Ticket prices
In 2023, a return ticket on the Stöckalp-Melchsee-Frutt gondola costs CHF 37. Discount for SBB Half-Fare, GA and Swiss Travel Pass. Free with Lake Lucerne Tell Pass. Children under 15 ride free. See current prices.
If you plan to ride the mountain scooters down the mountain, just buy a one-way gondola ticket up the mountain.
The Frutt-Zug shuttle costs extra. In 2024, a one way ticket cost CHF 12/adult. No discount with travel cards. See current prices.
Opening Hours
The cable car runs from early June through Mid October, daily from about 8:10 to 17:20. See current operating hours.
Photo story of the trail
After exiting the cable car, board the “Fruttli-Zug“, a little shuttle that will take you about 5 km to the trail around the Tannalp lake. It leaves about every hour on weekends and holidays, every half hour on really busy days. There are eight stops, terminating a bit past the second lake at a restaurant before it turns around and heads back. The train is included in your day pass.
Option: You can walk about 2.8 km to the lake instead of taking the train.
The train drives along a paved road, which people also use as a walking path, easy for strollers. It’s also a popular route for mountain bikers.
This pic was taken from the train, showing how much you can see without even walking.
We rode the train to the end at Tannalp, shown here. The train drops you off at this restaurant.
Walk back along the road following signs to Tannalpsee, aka the lake. Turn left at this little hut with a picnic area.
Now follow the dirt path around the lake.
This pic shows the winding trail along the south side of the Tannalp lake. The trail is a wide dirt path, easily navigated with a sturdy stroller. It’s relatively flat and easy to do with little kids.
You can leave the trail at any point and go down to the lake to throw rocks. But there are lots of people fishing here, so be careful where you throw so you don’t disturb the fish.
So pretty.
At the end of the lake, there is a little earth dam. You can walk across this to join back to the road and catch the train back to the cable car from the Tannendamm bus stop. Remember it only comes once an hour so you might have to wait awhile.
Here is the Tannendamm bus stop on the other side of the dam. There is small picnic area with a grill pit here.
Alternatively, you can walk back to Melchsee-Frutt (about 2.8 km), either on the road (best for strollers) or on the dirt path through the cow fields shown below.
Another view of the path back to the start.
The first lake, aka Melchsee, has pedalos to rent, a kiosk, sun beds, etc.
Just above the cable car stations, there is a big playground above the station, with swings, sand pit, zip line, balance rope, and picnic tables. There’s also an indoor play area (in the plastic bubble) next to the cafe. My pics aren’t great but the playground is!
18 Responses
Hi and thanks again for the amazing site!
2 questions:
1. is it possiable to swim in Melchsee in worm summer day?
2. did you walked from Tannensee to Engstlensee? acording to the maps is suppuse to be one hour of walk? is it true?
Hi Gill, I have walked from Tannensee to Engstlensee as part of the Horizontweg. It’s about 3km and mostly downhill. This post might be helpful for you: https://swissfamilyfun.com/horizontweg/ I haven’t seen anyone swimming in the Melchsee and I don’t see anything on their website about it. I’m guessing that it’s either not allowed or not recommended.
2019 August update from our great trip there today.
Our party was 3 adults, 3 kids aged 7, 4 and 2 and 1 sturdy buggy
Train was half hourly, prices were still only chf for 16+.
As mentioned by a 2017 commenter there is a fantastic 10 stop kid’s trail around the first lake, Melchsee. The kids collect a free stamp card at the cable car arrival hall, and stamp a shape at each station. The stations are themed to the local wild animals, they have an activity at each eg climbing frame, water play, stone maze. From 1500 at the cable car hall there is someone dressed up as the mascot, where the kids can show off their completed (or in our case, ripped, loved, half complete and chewed by the toddler) cards, get a photo and handshake.
The play area at the train stop near the cable car as mentioned in the blog post is in the process of being renovated for the 2020 season but it is still nice. And there are so many other play areas that it is not an issue. There is an indoor ball pit (under 10s only) but no plastic dome as mentioned in the blog post.
Many picnic areas and bbqs with wood provided dotted around the whole area.
Had to fold buggy to go on the train, but not for cable car.
We did the Melchsee round walk first (with the kid’s trail) and had a picnic lunch towards the end of that walk, before catching the panoramic lift to then take the train. We stopped for icecream and goat patting at the restaurant mentioned in the blog before catching the train back.
The Melchsee trail is briefly tough for a buggy in a couple of sections due to short uphill parts on gravel making it tricky to push the buggy. But there were MANY families using buggies and bike chariots so it was universally do-able.
Thanks for this very helpful update! I hope to do a post eventually on the activity trail you mentioned, looks really fun.
hello,
I see in your maps there is Parking area also on the top which is also showing in google maps (Dempfelsmatt) with car drive option.
Do you know if we can take the car till that point and avoid cable car ?
I think you have to have a special permit to drive to the top of Melchsee Frutt, like if you work there or own a home there. I know there are signs on that road near the base of the cable car outlining the rules. I would not expect to drive to the top.
Thanks so much for this blog post – we visited yesterday on your recommendation and had the most amazing day!
Not sure whether they were there when you went but there are now 9 playareas dotted around the lake. Including climbing frames, an awesome stone maze with a treasure chest to discover, and a fantastic water play area. Several BBQ areas with wood too so when we go again I’ll be sure to pack some sausages!
Our kids had their balance bikes and scooters with them and were able to cycle or scoot most of the way round. There were only a couple of areas that were a bit steep for them to ride down.
Thanks again for all the work you do putting this blog together. It’s always the first place I look when planning a day trip
So glad you had a good time! We haven’t been in a few years, so thanks for telling me about the new plays areas along the trail! If you have some photos of them you wouldn’t mind sharing for the blog, let me know. It would certainly help our readers. You can email me at momstots (at) gmail.com.
Hi. Thanks for the nice comments. The “second” lake is called Tannensee. The train makes a few stops. If you get off at the top/east side of the Tannensee, it is about ~2.5mi/4km, walking along the trail on the south side of the Tannensee, then eventually rejoining the road near the Melchsee and continuing to the cable station. I can't say exactly how long it will take to walk it since my family spent about 2 hours wandering along the lake, throwing rocks, taking little side trails, etc. We did not walk all the way back to the cable station, but instead caught the train/bus at the end of the Tannensee and rode it back to the cable station. If I had to guess, I'd say 1.5 hrs or so.
amazing blog. very helpful and so well organized! can you estimate the time/distance to walk, with a stroller from the second lake, back to the cable station?
Hi Amy, You can bring a stroller on the train, but I think you have to fold it up. We took our Bob Jogger stroller and I think we had to squeeze it in a bit, but it was fine. I'd bring the bigger jogger if I were you – more comfortable for you and your child. Have fun! – Tanya
Thanks – this looks great! Can you bring the stroller on the little train? I have a bigger jogger or a smaller umbrella; which is recommended? Many thanks. Amy
Hi. What a great time to come to Switzerland. I need a little more information to make a recommendation. Do you want to hike, if so, how far? Or do you just want a nice restaurant with a mountain view? Would you prefer a famous mountain (like Pilatus or Jungrau) or is that not a concern? In the meantime… If you are determined to see something famous, Rigi is my favorite in the immediate area. It is easily accessible by train and SBB usually has combo offers. I often take visitors to Flumserberg. It's super easy with the train, which drops you off right at the gondola. The hike is short, but very beautiful. The cafe at the gondola station is not particularly good, but the little restaurant slightly down the trail is a bit better. The Ballenberg open air museum is a good choice for visitors. It's easily accessible by train and SBB usually has combo offers. If you need a less expensive option, the Wallensee waterfall is sure to impress. You don't have to pay for a cable car, so it's much more affordable. The train takes you to the lake, then a short ferry ride. I hope this helps. Of course, you should check the various official websites for each destination as opening times and trail access may vary. I hope you have a wonderful visit.
I will be meeting my daughter in Zurich (she lives in London) for 4 days (June 30-June 4). We will not rent a car. Is there any 1-2 recommendations you would suggest as priority where we can take a train? Thank you. Your blogs are so detailed and interesting.
Thanks! It's always nice to get feedback.
Found your blog last week and have already followed two of your recommendations. Thank you so much for taking the time to write it
Thanks Tracy. Glad to help. Have a great summer!
Wow–I love you blog! I came across it while at the American Women's Club of Zurich. Thanks so much for the great tips–very helpful! Looking forward to reading more of your posts! All the best, Tracy :o)