This beautiful mountain trail starts along cliffs with fantastic views of Lake Lucerne, then leads through meadows and forests just under impressive peaks. We particularly like this trail in October, when the trees are changing colors.
It’s a “wildlife observation” theme trail, with several signboards along the way about the wildlife in this area. They say if you go early in the morning and have some patience, you may see ibex, grouse and other wild animals in this area. But we only saw a few birds here and there.
| Location: | Lake Lucerne Region |
| Start: | Niederbauen cable car |
| End: | Stockhütte cable car |
| Car: | Parking at Stockhütte cable car Hinterhostattstrasse 4, 6376 Emmetten From Lucerne 25 mins, Zürich 1hr |
| Train: | Bus stop: Emmetten, Post From Lucerne 50 mins, Zürich 2hr15 |
| Trail: | 11 km one way |
| Walking time: | about 4 hours |
| Difficulty: | moderate |
| Condition: | uneven terrain with lots of stairs, no strollers |
| Elevation: | highest point 1725 m |
| Open: | best from late May to October |
| Cost 2022: | Cable cars – CHF 25/adult Free with Tell Pass. Partial discount for SBB Half-fare, GA and Junior cards |
| Extras: | restaurants at both ends of trail |
| More info: | niederbauen.ch – webcam |
Gallery
Location
Niederbauen is a mountain close to Lucerne. See on Google Maps. The trail is accessed by cable cars, which can be easily reached by car or bus.
Trail Overview
The hiking map shows the trail starting from the top of the Niederbauen cable car and ending at the top of the Stockhütte cable car. The cable car stations in the valley are a short walk from each other. I’ve included a short detour to the Hundchopf viewpoint, which is easy and absolutely worth the views over the cliffs. There are restaurants on both ends of the hike and one picnic area in the middle with tables and a fire pit.
Hiking Map
The trail is about 11 km and 4 hours of walking time, a bit shorter if you skip the detour to the Hundschopf view point. After the viewpoint, there is about 500m of steep ascent with stairs and a steep slope to one side. This part of the trail is well built and not particularly dangerous. But if you are afraid of heights, this may not be the hike for you.
The trail alternates between wide gravel roads and dirt paths. It is well marked and mostly easy to follow.
View interactive map on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive
Shorter trail
You might also like the 5.5 km loop to the Niederbauen Kulm viewpoint.
Logistics
How to get there
This is a one-way hike with cable cars on each end. But the valley cable car stations are a short walk from each other, also sharing the same bus stop.
By public transport: Take a train to Stans, then transfer to bus 311, direction Seelisberg. Get off at Emmetten, Post, then walk up the road 280m to the Niederbauen cable car station.
The hike ends at the Stockhütte cable car. Ride this down to Emmetten, where you can catch the bus at the same stop you got off.
By car: Drive to Hinterhostattstrasse 4, 6376 Emmetten and park in the lot next to the Stockhütte cable car. Your hike ends here. You can pay with coins or the EasyPark or ParkingPay mobile apps. Walk up the main street to the Niederbauen cable car station, where you will ride up to the start of the hike.
Ticket prices
At the Niederbauen ticket window, you can buy a combo ticket for this “Wildbeobachtungspfad” hike that includes one way on each cable car. In 2022, this combo ticket costs CHF 37/adult. Discount for children, SBB Half-fare, Junior cards. Children under 6 ride free. Large dogs require a ticket. You can pay with cash or card.
The Stockhütte cable car has dynamic pricing for the full price ticket (without discount cards). So you could purchase the one way Stockhütte ticket ahead of time and save up 45% depending on when you buy it.
If you want to ride the Stockhütte scooter down instead of the cable car, just buy a one-way ticket on the Niederbauen cable car. You can pay for the scooter rental at the Stockhütte cable car.
Operating Times
Summer hiking season at Niederbauen is generally May through October. In November, the cable car runs on weekends and possibly weekdays if there is good weather and no snow. If you are hiking in May, October or November, best to check the website for trail status.
The cable car runs from 7:00-12:00 and 13:00-19:00. The cable car fits about 8 people, so you might have to wait a bit to go up. It officially runs every 30 mins, but if there are more than 4 people waiting, they run it on demand. Check current opening times.
Planning your day
When to go
Although we like this hike anytime in summer, we particularly like it in early October when the trees change color. Since the peaks create a lot of shade, we prefer to start our hike around 10:00 or later to give the sun time to clear the peaks and light up the trail.
Where to eat
At the top of the Niederbauen cable car, there is a restaurant at Berggasthaus Niederbauen. At Stockhütte, there is a self-service restaurant.
Where to stay
This is an easy day trip from Lucerne or Zürich. If you want to stay in the mountains, there are hotels at the top of both the Niederbauen and Stockhütte cable cars.
Other hikes in the area
If you are staying in this area for a weekend or longer, here are nearby hikes we suggest:
- Rickenbach to Stockhütte – Another mountain hike that ends at Stockhütte
- Haldigrat ridge trail – hike along gorgeous ridge to peak, tough hike with steep drop offs (4h, 9km)
- Walenpfad – start at an alpine lake, then traverse big mountains, ending at a barefoot path, playground and summer toboggan
- Bannalpsee – easy hike to alpine lake, good for kids (3.5k, 1h)
- More ideas: 20 Most beautiful day hikes near Lucerne
Photo story
1. Starting the trail
Riding up the Niederbauen cable car and looking back towards Lake Lucerne.
The trail starts just above the restaurant. Follow signs to Hundschopf. This part is a wide gravel path.
Lovely views of the mountains. Soon you will be hiking directly under those peaks.
Looking back along the path.
2. Detour to Hundschopf
This is Hundschopf, the small outcropping to the left, with a viewpoint and picnic area.
Here is the Hundschopf picnic area, with tables and fire pits, but I didn’t see any wood piles.
Looking back up to the Niederbauen viewpoint from Hundschopf. You can hike there next time (see trail info).
Retrace your steps to this trail sign and turn left, direction Stockhütte.
3. Uphill
Now the most difficult part of the hike. It’s a short 500m uphill, but quite steep with some stairs and switchbacks.
View down to Lake Lucerne as you hike up.
Here’s what the trail looks like. There are steeps slopes to the side.
The switchbacks leading to the highest point of the trail.
4. Down and around
At the top of the climb, follow signs to Stockhütte.
Very nice views along this short ridge section.
When you go downhill, the trail is rather faint in the grass. The group ahead of us got off-track and ended up having to scramble down a slope without a trail. So watch carefully for trail markers. The trail leads down to this small stream where you join a rocky path leading to the meadows.
Now an easy ramble across the meadows.
Sometimes you join a gravel road that leads to alp huts.
The path leads close to these rock walls and circles around the arena just below them.
Sometimes the trail gets narrow with lots of loose rock. I was happy to have my hiking sticks here.
A picnic area at about the halfway point.
Looking back on the trail.
Walking through the forest sometimes.
Looking east towards Mt Rigi in the distance.
Looking back after emerging from the forest. An hour or so ago, we were on that little cliff on the far left.
5. Road to Stockhütte
Eventually the trail joins a service road that leads uphill. I didn’t love walking on the road, but the views were nice.
At this trail sign, we followed the sign to the left, which leads more directly to Stockhütte. The path to the right also leads to Stockhütte but it’s longer and goes into the forest.
On this road for about 40 mins.
Arriving at Stockhütte, which has a self-service restaurant and playground. You can rent scooters here to ride down the mountain instead of the gondola.
Riding down the Stockhütte cable car. 
