This trail traverses high alpine meadows before descending to the impressive Stäuben falls below. If you love hiking, this is a nicer way to visit the falls, instead of walking there directly on the valley road.
It’s one of our favorite spring hikes, best done in late May when the snow has melted and wildflowers are in full bloom.
Note: For an easier day, you can walk directly to the Stäuben falls on a service road.
Quick info
| Region | Lake Lucerne Region • Canton Uri |
| Starting point: | Ribi-Wannelen cable car |
| By car: | parking at cable car: 46°51’51.2″N 8°46’54.6″E Lucerne 50mins, Zürich 1hr10 |
| By public transport: | Bus stop: Unterschächen, Ribi Lucerne 2hr, Zürich 2hr30 |
| Trail: | 3h • ⬇️ trail map |
| Distance: | 8.3 km |
| Difficulty: | moderate, 150m up, 630m down |
| Condition: | mountain trail with rocks and stairs, some areas with steep slopes on the side, no strollers |
| Elevation: | highest point 1680m |
| Open: | mid May to October |
| Cost: | cable car CHF 8/adult, no discounts, cash only |
| Discounts | train free with Swiss Travel Pass, Saver Day Pass, GA |
| Services: | at waterfall – restaurant, picnic area with fire pit, toilet |
| More info: | www.uri.swiss • weather • webcams |
Gallery
Video of trail
Check our a video of our Stäuben Falls hike from 21 May 2022.
Trail overview
This map shows an overview of the hike.
The hike starts by riding a tiny cable car from Ribi to Wannelen.
Then you traverse the mountain up to Oberalp, passing through alpine meadows and forests, crossing a couple rivers. The whole time you enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and valley below.
Then descend along the river that feeds the falls, eventually reaching the main Stäuben falls viewpoint. Then an easy walk through the river valley to return to your starting point.
Hiking map
There are several trails crisscrossing this mountain. The map below shows the hiking route we suggest.
See interactive hiking map on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive
Shortcut: At Nideralp (about 1.5 km), you can skip the climb up to Oberalp by following the trail just below the signed trail. This version has only 60m climb and is 1 km shorter. We did this version with the kids. See this alternate map.
Longer option: Start by walking to the waterfall lookout in Äsch, then hike up the mountain to Egghütte. Then across to Wannelen. Instead of taking the cable car here, keep walking around the mountain into the Unnital valley and down to Unterschachen. See sample trail map.
Direct to falls: You can get directly to the falls without the mountain hike. The path is on a gravel road, about 6 km round trip, 200m up/down. See hiking map.
How to get there
The Stäuben Falls (also called Stäubifall) are located southeast of Lucerne region, in the Unterschächen area.
You can drive or take a bus to the village Ribi, where the cable car is located.
By car:
Drive to Ribi and park in the small lot next to the cable car (46°51’51.2″N 8°46’54.6″E). Only customers of the cable car are allowed to use this lot. It’s a small parking lot and fills quickly.
There is an overflow parking nearby along the main road (see on map). Or you can park in the nearby village Unterschächen and walk over to the cable car.
By public transport:
Take a train to Altdorf, then bus to Unterschächen, Ribi, which drops off very close to the cable car. Note that before the end of June, this bus runs very infrequently, only a couple times a day.
⏱️Check timetable from Lucerne and Zürich.
Planning your day
Tickets & operating times
If you are riding the cable car, you’ll need a one-way ticket on Seilbahn Ribi-Wannelen cable car.
In 2026, it costs CHF 8/adult and CHF 4/children ages 6-15 and large dogs. Kids under 6 ride free. No discounts with travel cards. We paid in cash, don’t know if they take cards.
The cable car fits 4 people. From May through September, there is a person at this station, selling tickets and operating the cable car.
They generally run the cable car every 30 mins from 7:00-12:00 and 13:00-20:00. They will run the cable car on demand if there are at least 3 people. In July and August, someone will be there during lunch on weekends.
From October to May, the cable car is self-serve by purchasing a “Jeton” token. For questions, call +41 (0)41 879 19 69.
See current operating times and prices.
Where to eat
The Alp Äsch restaurant is located very close to the falls and has outdoor seating with a view. See on map. They are open weekends beginning of June through September. Saturday 10:00-20:00, Sundays 10:00-17:00. They are also open on August 1, the Swiss National Day. See their Facebook page.
Just outside the restaurant, there is a picnic area with tables, firepit and water. See picnic area on map. There are toilets adjacent to the picnic area.
From July to September, the Äsch-Oberalp cable car near the waterfall can take you up to Oberalp, where there is a “Alpbeizli”, aka rustic mountain café.
At the top of the Ribi-Wannelen cable car, there is Alpbeizli Wannelen, with a nice terrace with a view. It’s only open for 7 weeks in summer, weekends only.
Photo story
1. Riding up the cable car
Starting by riding this little cable car from Ribi to Wannelen. It fits 4 people. You sit sideways.
Looking down at the Ribi village.
Looking down the valley towards Unterschächen.
2. Starting hike at Wannelen
Here’s the dairy farm at the top of the cable car.
The trail starts on this service road used by the dairy farmers.
Winding your way across the mountain. It’s very flat at first.
After 1.5km, you reach the next dairy farm at Nideralp and the trail splits. You’ll see the below signs. Follow direction “Oberalp.”
There are a few trails branching off here. Check the map on your phone to make sure you are on the right trail leading up to Oberalp.
3. Up to Oberalp
About 20 mins after Nideralp, you reach some steep switchbacks going up a cliff. It looks a little sketchy at first but the trail is actually well built and relatively safe for casual hikers.
After that short climb, turn around to get a nice view of the valley.
Here is the Oberalp gondola station.
At the station, you’ll see these trail signs. Follow signs towards Klausenpass.
Small pond just after Oberalp.
Looking back at Oberalp.
There is a bridge over the river so you don’t have to get wet. We took a break here to enjoy all this drama.
4. Descending the mountain
Now follow the river down the mountain.
Such an exciting landscape!
Now heading down the mountain following the river.
5. Down to Äsch & Stäuben Falls
At this sign, fork left to Äsch, where you’ll find the Stäuben falls lookout.
It’s a steep descent at times with lots of rocks. But the trail is well built and the views are worth the effort.
Now turning back down the valley towards our starting point.
Looking back up the mountain.
6. Arriving at Stäuben falls lookout
When you arrive in Äsch, you’ll immediately hear and see the Stäuben falls. I didn’t see a path leading closer to the falls, but maybe there is one. But as far as I could tell, all of the land here was fenced off as private property.
So many pretty views here.
The river flowing the falls.
7. Walking on road back to Ribi
Now follow signs to Ribi, where we started. Behind the sign, you can see the Alp Äsch restaurant, which is open weekends June thru September.
Next to the restaurant there is this picnic area with a grill, wood and water.
There are toilets adjacent to the picnic area.
Just follow the road all the way back to Ribi. Lots of pretty views along the way and some shady forest.
A herd of goats followed for a long way down the road.
The wildflowers in late May were incredible!!!
I couldn’t get enough of this view!
Keep following that road.
Ending back at the parking near Ribi.
