Switzerland has many lakes, the “4-Lake Hike” in the Jochpass region is probably one of the most beautiful hikes in the central part of Switzerland: beautiful flora, stunning mountain and lake views in the mighty Mt. Titlis area.

The tour can be combined with public transportation (train, bus, cable car, gondola) and even extended to a two-day tour. We took the train from Stans to Engelberg, then the cable car up to the Jochpass, hiking to Melchsee-Frutt, taking the cable car down to Stöckalp and then taking the bus back to Stans:

All in all, this is a full day trip. Hiking time is around 4-5 hours (around 17 km hiking distance), heavily depending how many picture stops you will take :-).

A short walk from the train station in Engelberg:

Many tourists from India/Asia are taking the cable car up to the Mt. Titlis.

Taking the gondola, on the right side the railway up to the Gerschnialp:

‘Flying’ over the Gerschnialp:

While all the tourists go up the Mt. Titlis, we exit the gondola at the Trüebsee station. From here we see our next station up there: the Jochpass.

But first visit is the Trüebsee, the first lake on our hike:

Passing by the Trüebsee:

To save time, we are taking the cable chair lift up to the Jochpass:

At Jochpass a sign post points helps us finding the right trail:

One way is to go down to Engstlenalp and Engstlensee. Instead we are taking the rim way high above the lake with the Wendenstücke in sight:

The higher we get, the better the views, with a first view to the Engstlensee:

The hike goes through the Oberi Gumm:

View back to the Jochpass and Mt. Titlis station in the back:

Going  up to 2323 meters, hiking over Karst, with view to the Tannensee:

The beautiful flora (and fauna) is always worth a short break:

Heading down a bit towards Engstlenalp (1974 m), but we will go directly to the right and up again:

The trail will take us over to the Tannalp (1974 m):

Following the path high above Engstlenalp down on the left:

Encounter traditional not-so-wildlife:

Passing the lake at Vogelbüel (this one does not count to the four lakes):

Then approaching Tannalp:

Hungry and time for a break at the Berggasthaus Tannalp :-):

Approaching Tannalpsee:

Everything looks different compared to April this year where still lots of snow was present (see “Winter Wonderland Melchseefrutt“).

Reaching the dam of the lake:

Then heading towards the next lake: Melchsee.

Passing by the Melchsee Chapel:

View from the elevator tower at the lake:

Tired, but very happy about this hike, we took the gondola down to Stöckalp.

With the Postauto (public bus) we arrived back at our starting point in Stans.

Happy 4-Laking 🙂

Links

• 4-Lake Hike from Melchsee-Frutt to Engelberg: https://sloveniangirlabroad.wordpress.com/2018/07/13/4-lake-hike-from-melchsee-frutt-to-engelberg/
• 4-Seen-Höhenwanderung: https://www.hoehenwanderung.ch/
• Berggasthaus Tannalp: https://www.tannalp.ch
• Titlisbahnen: http://www.engelberg.ch/en/cable-cars/titlis/