Hiking over the Storegg Pass from Engelberg Valley to Melch Valley

Wednesday Sept.16 -- Our regular Wednesday Day-Off-Work, we like to hike somewhere close to home so that we don't have to travel too far. We thought being a week-day, we might be safe going to a place which is usually overrun on weekends, so we headed off for the Engelberg Valley, planning to go up with the cable car to Fürenalp.

But the bus from Engelberg train station was already full (mostly "old" people, they are constantly on the go!) as we set off from there, and a group of school kids, about 15 of them, got on along the way. And then there are people who go to the cable car station by car. Some quick math: The small cable car holds 8 people, and takes probably 10 minutes per run, so unless we rush off the bus and knock over a few old people and school kids to be the first to reach the station, we might have to wait over an hour for our turn up. I don't like to wait that long for my turn in a cable car.

So we decided to not get off the bus and headed right back to Engelberg, then back down-valley a bit to Grafenort, to try our luck with a tinier but lesser-known farmer's cable car, hoping the owners were at home to operate, and hoping no one else was waiting in line!

(NOTE: We have ridden this cable car before, almost exactly two years ago, for a different hike via Lutersee back down to Engelberg. Photos of that trip: CLICK HERE )

All turned out well, as after walking the two kilometers to this unique cable car, built by the farmer himself, consisting of two cable car at right angles, we got up the mountain from where we could walk over a passage called Storeggpass, to the next valley over: The Melchtal Valley (The cable car saves us an 800m ascent). By now it was late in the morning and we started our hike at noon, so it was quite warm, but nevertheless a good decision, as this time, for a change, the sun favoured us, and the dark clouds gathered over Fürenalp, where we were originally going to walk....

NOTE: The trail turned out to be harder to walk than we expected, as cows had churned up a large part of this trail, that is actually a regional long-distance trail called the Obwaldner/Niedwaldner High Trail.

From Grafenort train station in the Engelberg Valley, we first have to walk 30 minutes to the cable car station. Our goal is to cross the Storegg Pass. The cable car saves us over 800m climb.

The first section of the Mettlen-Ruggisbalm cableway goes up to the upper plateau where the farm is. The second section goes up to the right to a summer pasture for the cows.

After calling up to the farm to let them know we need a ride, we have to get into the cabin.

First section of the cable car to Hinter Ruggisbalm Farm. 

The first cable car docks at this building.... and then we have to walk over to the house to get in the other one.

We are met at the second cable car by the farmer who operates this cable car every day. This is where we pay for the ride before heading up to the summer pasture.

Heading up to the summer pasture high up on the hill, we get a nice view down the Engelberg Valley, to Grafenort where we started on our walk. 

The other cabin passes on its way down.

This is not our first time riding this cable car, but it's fun every time!

The cows have not yet descended from the summer pasture.

Once we got to the top of the cable car, it was just over an hour and 350m ascent to get to the Storegg Pass. It took us another two hours of walking to get to Melchtal.

It's like they don't see a lot of people up here!

Up ahead we can see the pass where we will cross.

Another Golden Eagle, that's two in one week!

Here starts a bit of a steep section.

Making our way up to the Storegg Pass

Higher and higher.

Near the level of the pass we get the first look across the saddle in the direction of Engelberg. Without the clouds, you can see Mt. Titlis. Behind the saddle is a small laked called Lutersee, which we walked to the previous time we were here in 2018.

Since we started our hike at noon and it was warm here, the small uphill hike was more strenuous than expected. Glad to make it to the Pass! From here you can walk North across the entire ridge along the Obwaldner High Trail. 

A good place for our picnic lunch!

From the pass, a look back at the trail we walked from the cable car station. Doesn't look so strenuous from here.

Another look in the direction of Engelberg and the Fürenalp, where we first planned to go. I think the weather there is not as good as here!

And the first glimpse into the Melchtal Valley. Our descent will take us past all those farms below.

Heading down into the Melchtal Valley.

These flowers look like silk flowers. They are apparently another sort of Gentian (of which we have seen so many this year) called "Fringed Gentian"

Hiking along the Obwalden / Nidwalden High Trail (No.57 and No.88 -- the trail runs through both Cantons).

A glimpse down the Melchtal Valley all the way to Lake Sarnen

Sunshine in the forest sections, I always like that.

The mountains that separate us from the Engelberg Valley

A look down at the town of Melchtal

The trail was hard to find here through the meadows. You always have to keep your eyes open for red/white painted markers on rocks or trees, or posts.

Another beautiful view down the Melchtal Valley

A stretch along the road past some farmhouses

No issues walking along this paved road

We have never seen this pretty bird before. It's called a goldfinch, but not a full-grown adult. So cute!

Fields full of autumn crocuses mean the summer is almost over!

Last stretch into the town of Melchtal.

There is a monastery (St.Niklaus von Flüe) here in Melchtal.

In German: "Benediktinerinnenkloster". What a mouthful! "(Benedictine Women's Monastery)

The church in Melchtal, across from which is the bus stop where we can catch the 16:48 bus out of the valley.

A quick look inside at ceilings and organs: They had TWO organs! (one also in the balcony to the right).

Our trail including cable car, traced on Google Maps

We love this area, as it's not far from where we live, and the many farmers' cable cars (24 in Canton Nidwalden) mean we have access to loads of nice trails. 

The area of Canton Nidwalden, not far form Luzern and Zug.