The Maria-Rickenbach area near Lucerne has a great family hike that starts at the top of a tiny self-service gondola. The mountain trail leads to Stockhütte, where they have a big playground with a trampoline and mountain scooters to rent. This area is kind of a locals-only operation, so very quiet and not touristy at all, just how we like it. The mountain views are fantastic and particularly beautiful in October with the fall colors.
Since this is a one-way trail, it requires some planning, but I’ve mapped it all out for you. So just follow the instructions below and it’s not so complicated.
| Location: | Central Switzerland |
| Start: | Dallenwil-Niederrickenbach gondola closest address: Bürerhof 3, 6383 Dallenwil |
| End: | Stockhütte-Emmetten gondola Dorfstrasse 28, 6376 Emmetten |
| By car: | 45mins from Zurich to Stans train station |
| Train: | 1hr20 from Zurich HB to Niederrickenbach Station |
| Trail: | 7.1 km one way, about 2.5 hrs with kids |
| Elevation: | highest point 1750m, total climb 97m, total descent 570m |
| Condition: | part narrow dirt path, part dirt road |
| Skill: | moderate |
| Open: | mid May through October |
| Prices: | Adult CHF 44 SBB Half-fare and Junior card accepted on part of the journey |
| Services: | restaurant, playground, mountain scooter |
| More info: | maria-rickenbach.ch • webcams |
Location
This trail is located in the Niederrickenbach area near Lucerne.
Trail Overview
This is a one way trail, connecting the ends with public transportation. You start by riding two gondolas from Dallenwil to Musenalp. Then hike to the Stockhütte gondola, which drops you in Emmetten. There you can ride a bus back to your starting point.
Hiking map
The trail is 7.1 km, as shown on the detailed trail map below. It meanders through fields and forests under some towering mountain peaks. It’s rather easy walking but still a mountain trail, not suitable for strollers. The trail ends at Stockhütte, where you’ll find a restaurant and a big playground with a trampoline. You can also rent mountain scooters here to ride down the mountain to Emmetten, instead of riding the gondola down.
View interactive trail on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive
How to get there
The trail starts at in Dallenwil and ends Emmetten, so you’ll need to take public transportation to return to your starting point. It’s a little complicated but I have it all worked out for you here, don’t worry.
Start: train to Niederrickenbach Station (7 mins)
End: bus from Emmetten Post back to Stans (33 mins)
By public transport:
Take the train to Niederrickenbach Station. You have to request a stop at this station. So make sure to inform one of the employees taking tickets, who will arrange that for you. The Dallenwil-Niederrickenbach gondola station is adjacent to the train station, just walk under the tunnel.
At the end of the hike, you’ll take a gondola down from Stockhütte to Emmetten. From there, you can take bus 311 from Emmetten, Post to Stans, then catch a train to your final destination.
Getting there by car:
It’s most efficient to drive the Stans train station and park there. It’s CHF 5 for 8 hours. You get a discount on the parking if you are taking the train (which you are). So go to the ticket booth and ask for the Park+Ride validation, which they will put onto your parking ticket. You need to show a valid train ticket for that same day.
Then take the train (direction Engelberg) from Stans to Niederrickenbach Station to start the hike. This is a 7 min ride and costs CHF 2.90 (with SBB Half-fare). This train leaves hourly on the :24, but check the schedule beforehand. You must ask the train conductor to stop the train at Niederrickenbach Station or the train will not stop.
At the end, take bus 311 from Emmetten, Post back to Stans and pick up your car, a 33 min ride. This bus runs hourly on the :33. This is a :33 min ride and costs CHF 3.70 (with SBB Half-fare). You can buy your ticket at a machine next to the bus stop. Remember to get your parking ticket validated at the train station ticket office for a discount.
Ticket prices
To start, you’ll need a one-way ticket for the Dallenwil–Niederrickenbach cable car. In 2022, costs CHF 12.60/adult. Discount for children and Swiss travel cards like GA and Half-fare. Free for Tell Pass, SBB Junior card and children under 6.
Then you’ll ride up the tiny self-service Musenalp cable car to reach the trail. You pay at the top of the ride – CHF 8/adult and CHF 4/child age 6-16, cash only. No discounts.
At the end of the hike, you can ride the Stockhütte cable car down or rent mountain scooters and ride that down. In 2022, a one-way cable car ticket costs CHF 24/adult. Discount for children and Swiss travel cards like GA and Half-fare. Free for Tell Pass, SBB Junior card and children under 6. If you buy your ticket online beforehand, you can save up to 50% on the non-discounted tickets.
Operating times
Summer hiking season is usually late May through the end of October. Opening times may vary with weather and snow conditions.
The Dallenwil–Niederrickenbach cable car runs every 30 mins from 7:10 – 11:40, 12:00, 13:00 – 18:40.
The Stockhütte cable car runs 9:00 – 17:00. On weekdays, they close for an hour during lunchtime.
Photo story
Hooray, you made it to the gondola station. The Dallenwil-Niederrickenbach gondola runs every 30 mins on the :10 and :40. You need a one-way ticket, which costs CHF 12/adult, SBB Half-fare and Junior cards accepted. Pick up a free trail map here.
The view from this gondola is fantastic!
At the top, cross over to the Musenalp gondola, which is self-serve and runs on demand. It only fits four people and looks like a toy. But we made it safely to the top. You first call the operator with the phone at the station and say something like: “Wir möchten hochfahren.” The operator might tell you some instructions. But basically, just get in, close and latch the door and wait. You pay the operator at the top in cash, CHF 8/adult and CHF 4/child age 6-16.
We had a big group, so we had to send a couple of the bigger kids with some strangers. Here’s them arriving at the top.
Starting out on the trail from Musenalp.
Start by following signs to Bergst. Klewenalp. In about an hour, the trail will fork and you’ll instead follow signs to Stockhütte.
Views down to Lake Luzern and across to Mt. Rigi.
On a ridge for a bit.
Some stairs.
Looking back to Musenalp on the plateau above.
Looking forward toward Stockhütte.
At this hut, the road splits. Turn right and follow signs to Stockhütte.
A nice picnic spot along the way.
A bit through the forest.
Arriving at Stockhütte where you’ll find a restaurant and big playground.
All my kids need to be happy is a trampoline.
You can ride the gondola down (CHF 12/adult), but it’s much more fun to ride these mountain scooters down. They costs CHF 10 to rent, which includes the helmet. You can send your backpack down on the gondola or take it with you. These scooters are very stable and easy to ride, with hand brakes. Recommended age 12 (though we had a 9 and 11 year old with us), under that age can ride with an adult.
The scooter trail follows a paved road about 5 km all the way down the mountain to the bottom of the Stockhütte cable car in the town of Emmetten. There can be cars on this road, so be careful, but traffic is light. We had only two cars pass us during our trip.
Return your scooter at the valley cable car station in Emmetten. Then go catch the bus back home.
