Short Hike down to Emmetten from Stockhütte on Lake Luzern

Sunday September 3, 2023 -- This is the final day of Urs' two-week holiday, and we sure did a lot of hiking and walking in the past two weeks, even though six of the days were rainy days! (We did hikes on the other 10 days, seven of which were 4.5 hours or more! And we were away in different parts of the country for 2x three days in that period).

So after returning from our three-day trip to Canton Valais (Wallis), we did only a small tour this Sunday. The original plan was to hike to the summit of Mount Niederbauen quite close to home, which you can access to within about 90 minutes of hiking by way of the cable car from Emmetten on the south side of Lake Lucerne. The day was pretty overcast with high clouds, and we weren't really sure in the end if it was worth paying 45 CHF for the cable car, and not have a clear view, which is required for this hike. So when we got to the cable car station and saw about 30 people already waiting in line for the small 8-person cable car, we walked down the road to the Stockhütte cable-car instead, a cable-car we can ride for free, so we didn't lose out. We spent the money instead on a lunch at the restaurant there, and walked a "short" two-hour and 7 km trail back down to the bus at Emmeten. 

It was a good solution for the day, as it was not too strenuous, we didn't need the view, and the day was actually not too hot at all. Plus we walked down a valley we hadn't been before. Highlight of the day was the 10-minute ride on the steam-boat between Seelisberg and Brunnen, which is the quickest way for us when we come to this area. 

The fastest way for us to get to Emmetten on the south side of Lake Luzern is by boat from Brunnen to Seelisberg, which is the main mountain in this photo. The highest peak in the center is Mount Niederbauen, which we had originally planned to walk up to this day. On the flank of Mt. Seelisberg, on the small clearing near lake level on the left, is the Rütil pasture where the three original cantons made their vows that led to the Swiss Confederate State in 1291.

Approaching the dock at Treib-Seelisberg, which is also the base station of the Treib-Seelisberg Funicular, which is part of our trip to Emmetten. 

View toward Mount Pilatus to the West on our ascent with the funicular. This is Lake Luzern, or the Vierwaldstättersee. Flank of Mount Rigi on the right. 

A short trip up the mountain with the Treib-Seelisberg funicular

From Seelisberg we rode a bus to Emmetten. When we saw that there were very many people standing at the Niederbauen cable-car station, we walked a couple of minutes to the other cable car station which goes up to a mountain restaurant called Stockhütte, which is also popular with families, especially on a Sunday, as there is a large playground. But the cable car doesn't cost us anything to ride, and it is a gondola cable-car, so you never have to wait too long to get into one. 

We originally wanted to take the Niederbauen cable car on the left, and hike up to the summit of Mount Niederbauen. But there were too many people waiting for that cable car, so we rode the other one instead, to Stockalp and walked back down to Emmetten, a two-hour walk. 

The gondola cable-car from Emmetten to Stockhütte. 

A view across the lake to the mountain called Vitznauerstock or Gersauerstock, depending on which community you ask! This is part of the Rigi range of mountains

It was only 11:15 when we got to the Stockhütte restaurant, and even though it was early, we had lunch before going on our two-hour walk. There were barely any people inside the restaurant at this time. 

Heading off on our hike at 11:45. The first section (1.3 kilometers) was on a wide road, partly through the forest, and there were quite a few people walking here. 

After the first 20 minutes along the road we descended through a wetlands region to the main trail that many people follow who have taken the Niederbauen cable car up the other side (A hike which we have done before, those photos are HERE). Shortly afterwards, we descended via the Kohl Valley, and were practically the only hikers on that stretch all the way back to Emmetten

A short break before descending through the moor hillside. The upper plateau in the center is called Färnital, and we just realized we can cross to there from the Isenthal Valley on the other side!

Descending through the Rinderbühl-Isital moor regions. The mountain on the right is called Schwalmis. 

My favourites. 

Picture on the same bench that we sat on last time we were here, when we walked UPHILL where we just came down from!

Ahead is the short section of the "Wilbeobachtungsweg" we will cross before descending at the edge of the forest. 

Oh those cows, always blocking the trail!

Looking back at the hillside we just descended

This sign has been here for a while! We think it is supposed to read "Kohltal" and "Emmetten". 

A long and gravelly, sometimes steep, trail down through the forest. 

Now we've gotten down to the road in the Kohl Valley. A look back up the hill at Mount Schwalmis

Nice cliffs on our right, that's where the Niederbauen cable car goes up to. 

This is the Choltalbach (or Kohl Valley Stream). There were a few families up here doing an outdoor grill and playing in the water. 

We kept turning around to admire the view behind us. 

This fat caterpillar crossing the road is the larvae of the Pine Hawkmoth, very common in Central Europe, apparently

Another look behind us. We followed this road for 2½ kilometers, but it was nice walking here. Almost no traffic, not a hot afternoon (because slightly overcast) and always with the sound of the river next to us.  

Urs lost his Safari cap on our trip to Canton Wallis, so we had to improvise with a cap and neckerchief. He always wants his neck shielded from the sun. 

We often come across these signs, that nearby pastures are guarded by herd dogs. Usually they are not this close to the road though. The one raced up and down the fence, barking madly at us. I am always impressed that they can train these dogs to protect the sheep without any humans around. I had just read the sign that you shouldn't run, and promptly forgot, as I hurried to catch up to Urs who felt uncomfortable being so close to the dogs. And then this one got agitated and started barking again. 

Around the corner, our first look down at Emmetten

Last stretch down to the road, and we pass the Niederbauen cable-car station (The one we took is further down the road on the left.) 

The best trail of the day, soft meadow grass!

The small cable car is just making its way down from the Niederbauen pastures. This time not too many people were waiting at the bottom (it's now 14:20). But picture the line-up out the door, past the benches on the left, and then all the way to the back of the building on the right. 

These are all the hikes we have done in the region of Mount Niederbauen, Emmetten and Seelisberg. 

Back on the bus and heading back to the funicular station, we pass through the village of Seelisberg. 

Down the mountain again on the funicular. The afternoon has become quite hazy now. 

Back down at the dock in Treib, the steam boat named "Stadt Luzern" arrives from Brunnen. Those heading to Luzern get on this one. Then from the Luzern side, our ship, the "Schiller", arrives afterwards. 

Filming the "Schiller" as it comes to dock in Treib. This is also a steam boat / paddle-wheeler. It is always a pleasure to get a ride on these, no matter how short!

VIDEO:

The two ships "Stadt Luzern" and "Schiller" cross, 

and our ship, the "Schiller" docks at Treib

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oiling the huge pistons in the steam boat. 

VIDEO:

Pistons turning the paddle wheels

It's a short ride from Treib to Brunnen, just 10 minutes. But always a nice view down the Uri arm of Lake Luzern to Mount Bristen in the back and the famous Schiller rock on the right. 

Docking at Brunnen

This is my favourtie building in Brunnen, where we wait for the bus to the train station. 

Location of Emmetten and Seelisberg in Switzerland.