Short Afternoon Hike in the Melch Valley, to Flüeli-Ranft

(Post published Feb.3, 2023)

Friday June 24, 2016 -- On this hot early summer day it seemed a shame to miss an opportunity for a late afternoon, after-work walk, so we took off early and met in Luzern at about 2 p.m. and headed south from there to Sarnen, and with the bus into the Melch Valley.

We walked from the village called Melchtal out of the valley to Flüeli-Ranft, the birth-place of Switzerland's patron saint Niklaus von der Flüe. It was only a 5-km and under 2-hour walk, but it was very hot and humid, especially on the slight uphill sections. Nevertheless, walking in the pastoral landscape is always pleasant.

From Flüeli-Ranft we took the bus back to Sachseln on the Lake Sarnen, and skipped a train so we could sit in the shade at the lakeshore for a bit before returning home.

Side note: This is the birthplace of Switzerland's patron Saint Brother Niklaus von der Flüe, who was born in Flüeli 1417, married, had 10 children and spent 20 years as a hermit in the nearby Ranft Gorge.

Heading toward the Melch Valley by bus from Sarnen on the lake.

The farmers use this extreme hot weather to harvest the mountain grass. Sometimes it means collecting it from the roadway!

We got to the starting point of our hike, the village of Melchtal, at about 15:20. Our goal is Flüeli-Ranft, not quite two hours of walking

A rather easy walk from Melchtal to Flüeli-Ranft. It took us two hours.

A look back at the village of Melchtal as we start on our hike.

A look down the Melch Valley where we are walking along the hillside on the left after crossing the river

Crossing the "Grosse Melchaa" River near Melchtal. This is a view up the valley.

We are always glad for any kind of water to cool off on hot days.

Looking back up the Melch Valley. The first section was along a dirt road, and it was quite hot

Having just turned a corner in the valley, this was a great meadow trail to walk.

Heading out of the Melch Valley

We were glad for a cool forested section

Shortly before the village of Flüeli, you get a view down into the Ranft Gorge, which is where Brother Niklaus spent 20 years as a hermit (1467 to his death in 1487). Here he prayed and gave advice to many people who came looking.

A view of Mt. Pilatus

Approaching the village of Flüeli

We are now out of the Melch Valley and looking north to Mt. Stanserhorn

A very nice farmhouse

This is the original farmhouse where Brother Niklaus was born (1417) and later lived with his wife and 10 children. He was a well-off farmer, and when he chose the hermit's life with his wife's approval, his 20-year-old son took over the farm.