Engstlenalp to Melchsee-Frutt

Tanja & Reto with Bria (July 22, 2026)

Getting There
Early in the morning, the Panorama Express takes us from Sarnen to Meiringen via steep cogwheel railway tracks. The ride already offers spectacular views of lakes, green alpine meadows, snow-capped peaks, and the deeply carved valleys of the Bernese Oberland. In Meiringen, we transfer to the small train to Innertkirchen. Right at the Innertkirchen Grimseltor stop, the Hasli Taxi is waiting to take hikers up to the Engstlenalp.
Important: The taxi must be reserved by 4:30 p.m. the day before at the latest. At that time, you’ll also find out whether the trip will take place (a minimum of four passengers is required). The cost is CHF 26 per person or CHF 18 for large dogs and is paid directly to the driver (www.engstlenalp-bus.ch).

The approximately 40-minute ride first follows the Sustenstrasse and then continues along a private alpine road through the largely untouched Gäntel region. With a bit of luck, you might spot the first marmots along the way—our driver even made a brief photo stop for this.


Hike Once you reach 1,835 meters above sea level, it’s worth making a short detour to Lake Engstlen. The clear mountain water is quite cool even in summer, but offers a wonderful refreshment for dogs—and brave two-legged hikers.

Back at Engstlenalp, the Rossbodenhütte invites you to stop for your first coffee break. Afterward, the actual hike begins: The trail climbs gently via the Geisstritt to just under 2,000 meters. Along the way, impressive views of the peaks of Central Switzerland open up time and again. From the scree fields, you can hear the characteristic whistles of marmots, which are abundant here.

Some sections of the trail run along steep rock faces; a steel cable provides additional safety there. The route is well within the capabilities of sure-footed dogs, though a bit of caution is still advised here.
After Geisstritt, we reach the wide Melchsee high valley and the Tannalp. The small alpine cheese dairy is an ideal place to rest: homemade milkshakes, fresh yogurt, and tangy alpine cheese taste especially good after the first few meters of elevation gain.

Shortly past the Tannalp, the second lake of the hike appears: the Tannensee. The trail follows the southern shore and offers frequent access to small rocky beaches. Many dogs take the opportunity to take a dip or have a drink.
At the end of the lake, the trail leads from the dam onward toward Distelboden. There we come across the third and largest lake on the hike, the Melchsee. The final 20 minutes or so are a leisurely stroll along the water’s edge, past the picturesque lakeside chapel, all the way up to Melchsee-Frutt.
This small mountain village offers several recommended restaurants as well as a village store with regional specialties—perfect for a well-deserved break or a souvenir from the mountains.

Return Trip
From Melchsee-Frutt, the gondola takes hikers down to Stöckalp in about 20 minutes. From there, the PostBus on Line 343 runs hourly via Kerns back to Sarnen.