To the top of Mount Buochserhorn via the Rocky Bleikigrat Ridge

Saturday September 9, 2018 -- There are a few trails in Switzerland that we do more than once, or variations thereof, and today was such a trail in the lovely pastoral landscape of Central Switzerland just South of Lake Lucerne.

We have done a variety of tours starting or ending in the sleepy convent village of Niederrickenbach which we access by cable car, and today we did a variation which included an ascent to the summit of Mount Buochserhorn (1806m) which we have wanted to do since a long time. Most people start in Niederrickenbach and from there ascend and descend the 650 altitude meters, but we went up further with the little private cable car to the mountain farm called Musenalp (1755m) and took a more complicated route over a ridge called Bleikigrat, which is rated a T3 or Blue/White trail, i.e. one level more difficult than the regular hiking we do. This is because the narrow trail and the crags you have to navigate require good shoes, good concentration, surefootedness, and no fear of heights, BUT it's exciting, the views are sensational, and it cut our final climb to the peak to only 225m. 

(As an afterthought, it is not recommended to do this trail after a day of rain, as of course in our case. We had to be extra specially careful. But this was the second time we have done this ridge hike. The first time it was very dry and no problem at all).

As usual in the past while, it seems the clouds and fog follow me and this was no exception. The clouds came and went, but this time it was looking promising until we reached the summit, and the fog rolled right in (though not for long). But all in all, except for sore feet from my new hiking boots, we had loads of great views and this late summer weather is perfect for hiking.

On the way to Dallenwil by train, this is one of my favourite tableaus out the train window, that little chapel with Mount Buochserhorn in the background, the peak we want to reach today.

Near Dallenwil (seen below) is the Niederrickenbach cable car. Carries 30 people and it was very full!

At the Niederrickenbach station (we did not get into the village this day) is the second cable-car, the one to Musenalp beyond that rocky ridge above!

This cable-car holds only four people, and lucky most people walk up from here, because each trip with this cable car takes about 13 minutes and one had just left when we got there. So we had to wait about 25 minutes for our turn, and we were 6th in line.

Stunning. Also popular for rock climbers. (You can just see him at the bottom, looks like a spider...)

At the top enjoying the view over Lake Lucerne.

Looking over to Mount Buochserhorn... I had to marvel at how that single cloud is hanging right over the peak, just laughing at me....

The sign warns that the ridge trail is an alpine trail requiring good shoes, and only for experienced climbers without vertigo

Not the easiest, but definitely the most exciting way to get to the summit of Mount Buochserhorn!

Lake Lucerne in the background, and the two Mythen mountains

Very much enjoying the trail, except we had to be VERY careful as it was wet

Along the Bleikigrat Trail

We had just come down this difficult couloir as we passed these people going up. I think it would have been easier going up.

And finally back to the normal trail (it took us 40 minutes to cross the ridge). Everyone here is enjoying the view up the Engelberg Valley

Trail markers said another 45 minutes to the summit, but we did it in 35

Another view across Lake Lucerne to the East.

Looking back where we had crossed the ridge. We originally started at the green meadow on the right side of that table-top mountain

Although we had great sunshine for the climb, as soon as we got to the top, some bits of fog moved in and blocked the sun, so we didn't stay long. This view is to the South up the Engelberg Valley

Looking North from the summit, this is one of the many arms of Lake Lucerne, and the city of Buochs. Right ahead is Mount Rigi, our local mountain.

On the way down we found these HUGE mushrooms...

I was thrilled at these fields and fields of meadow saffron flowers replacing the long-gone spring meadow flowers

The last part of the hike is a lovely forest trail all the way back to the village of Niederrickenbach

The 7-km tour took us about 3 hours 30 minutes. The small ridge alone took 40 minutes.

These are the many tours we have done starting at or ending at Niederrickenbach. The one in yellow we have done at least four times, it is an easy 2-hour round tour. The Bleikigrat ridge we have walked twice.