Previous weekend we were blessed with sunny summer weather – a perfect weather for trip to the mountains. My husband and I decided to explore the area we haven’t yet visited – the Bannalp.
The Bannalp is a hidden gem of the Central Switzerland. It is situated in the Engelberg Valley, high above the villages Oberrickenbach and Wolfenschiessen. It can be reached by foot or by public transport – via two cable cars from Fell: Fell-Chrüzhütte and Fellboden-Bannalpsee. Because my husband and I were up for a challenge, we decided to hike from Oberrickenbach – Fell all the way up to Bannalpsee.
Two hiking trails lead to from Obberickenbach to Bannalp. We’ve chosen the one via Haghütte. This 5 km long trail is well marked. It ascents from the altitude of 903 m to the altitude of 1713 m. With the total ascent of 810 m is quite steep and demanding. It definitely wasn’t the easiest hike I have ever done, but the beautiful landscape and the will to see what is waiting me at the top, kept me going.
After a little less than three hours we’ve reached the Bannalp. Tired, but happy we’ve completed the hike and arrived to our destination, we’ve stopped by the Chrüzhütte mountain hut where we’ve refilled our batteries and had delicious lunch.
Rested and with our bellies full, we walked to Bannalp’s main attraction – Lake Bannalp (Bannalpsee), an artificial lake at 1587 meters altitude. The lake covers an area of 16 hectares (40 acres) and is surrounded by the majestic mountains. It is truly breathtaking place well worth all the effort of hiking there.
Even though we’ve reached the lake in the afternoon was the water still calm enough to reflect the surrounding mountains.
We’ve rested by the lake for a while and as none of us fancy a walk back down to the valley, we decided to take the cable car. We’ve chosen the Fellboden-Bannalpsee cable car which was closer to the lake. We bought out tickets and waited to be called for our ride. Because it was quite busy day at Bannalp and the cable car can only fit up to 8 people, we had to wait for app. 40 minutes to get back to the valley.
We’ve reached the valley exhausted but happy and grateful we’ve been able to experience another amazing hiking trip to amazing place.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
HOW TO GET TO Bannalp?
By public transport:
By train & bus: Take the train from Lucerne to Wolfenschiessen, there change for bus in direction of Oberrickenbach – Fell.
By car:
Follow the A2 motorway in the direction of Gotthard. Take the exit at Stans-Süd and drive in direction of Engleberg. When you reach the village Wolfenschiessen turn left in direction Oberrickenbach. When you reach Oberrickenbach you’ll find the free parking spaces by the cable car stations Fell and Fellboden.
What a truly, truly stunning place! How I wish I could go there!
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Wow, it’s absolutely stunning! I still can’t quite believe I actually live in this gorgeous country.
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I know, neither do I! 🙂
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This place looks unreal! That lake is like glass. Glad that such places actually do exist in this world 🙂
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Thanks for the public transportation directions! Now if only Switzerland wasn’t so expensive to visit…..
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You’re welcome! 🙂 Yeah, sadly it’s definitely not destination for those on low budget.
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WHOA!! AMAZING pics!!
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Thank you dear! 🙂
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Such a gorgeous place ~ love the photo!
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Noro lepo, res. 🙂
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Definitivno eden lepših in hkrati manj znanih in denarnici prijaznejših kotičkov v Švici. 🙂
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Goodness, that is beautiful. Hard to believe there are places that perfect out there.
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Beautiful, especially the lake! This reminds me when father was in Rio de Janeiro and he decided to climb to the Jesus in the worst heat instead of taking the funicular, and the only people he met doing the same were a Swiss couple. 🙂
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Hehe, I guess Slovenes and Swiss have love of hiking in common. 🙂
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So beautiful!
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Paradise!
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The reflection in the water is stunning. Beautiful part of the world.
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Stunning photos. Oh my goodness truly beautiful.
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Two of my favorite places on the planet are Switzerland and Slovenia! Going to Switzerland was a childhood dream of mine since fourth grade; I’ve gotten to go three times and loved ever moment of my time there. I forget how many times I’ve been to Slovenia and I am equally in love with your homeland and well!!!
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another incredible fairytale like location!
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Man those mountain peaks remind me slightly of Glacier National Park in Montana (during the summer when the snow is melted) – definitely need to check those out! #MondayEscapes
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Oh really? Montana was never on my radar, but recently I’ve heard from a lot of people it is a wonderful place I need to check out. 🙂
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It’s a beautiful state! I was glad to live there for 3 years and get out of the city! Check out my post!
https://caliglobetrotter.wordpress.com/2016/06/05/12-things-to-do-in-montana/
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so beautiful!
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Wow! It is so very beautiful there. A destination that has been on my list for a while. One day, I will follow in your footsteps. 🙂
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Indeed it is. When you do, I would love to read about your experience of this place. 🙂
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WOW the scenery is gorgeous and your lunch looks delicious!
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🙂 It was just sausage and locally produced cheese, but it was super delicious. 🙂
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Cheese, anything with cheese is good and now that we live in Japan and mainly travel around Asia I really miss good cheese!!!
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Oh yes! I can feel you. Only thing I’ve missed when I was traveling around Japan was a piece of good cheese. 🙂
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I am amazed by Switzerland landscapes. Those mountains and lakes are so beautiful. I hope I can return to the country one day an enjoy several days of hiking.
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Indeed! When you do return, don’t hesitate to contact me for some suggestions and tips. 😉
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Your photos of Banalp are beautiful! Particularly love the first two. Thanks for sharing your trip at #MondayEscapes.
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Stunning pictures. I love the concept of mountain huts, a civilised alternative to eating a soggy sandwich on top of a wet mountain (which is usually the case in the UK)! #Mondayescapes
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I find food at the mountain huts in Switzerland really good. Of course, if they are not located at the place popular with the tourists. At the touristy places you can find overpriced soggy sandwiches too. 🙂
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I love skipping the funiculars! I just started blogging about hiking in Ticino- love that you also give out public transport information.
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Thank you dear! I thought transport information would be useful for people who might follow my foot-steeps. I’m glad you like it. 🙂
Ticino is a region I would love to discover better, but because of the long queues in front of the Gotthard tunnel we are rather focusing on other parts of Switzerland. I hope when the summer ends, there won’t be traffic jams anymore and we’ll be able to explore Ticino. 🙂
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Fantastic report with gorgeous pictures. Very inspiring also for our blog which we just started. Since we live in Austria, this place is truly worth a visit sometime soon! enjoy and maybe see you on a Alp somewhen 🙂
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Thank you! 🙂
Austria is still a place I need to discover more. I will definitely follow your blog for some inspiration. Perhaps we’ll meet someday somewhere in the Alps! 🙂
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That would be awesome! Probably one day somewhen we all could meet halfway and hike some place together.
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Just wow. Bannalp is stunning! What a hike to be able to experience that view. Thanks for sharing on #MondayEscapes
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Yes, Bannalp is a beautiful place. After all the effort to get to the top, is the best feeling, when you reach it and you’re are rewarded with such views. 🙂
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Wow, stunning hike. I’m an overseas student studying in London and I really want to hike more in Europe. I’ve also started blogging my hikes in Hong Kong recently, it’ll be great if you can check it out 🙂 http://www.hjkhiking.wordpress.com
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Thank you dear! Enjoy your time in London! It might not be the best place to go hiking, but is still great town. 🙂
I’ll take a look at your blog. Thanks for stopping at mine! 🙂
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This place looks too beautiful, especially those reflections! I would love to see more of Switzerland as the few days I have spent there, I loved! 🙂 It’s the perfect place to get some stunning nature!
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Oh my gosh, your photos look unreal! I mean I know that the Slovenian Alps are pretty but this is so stunning!!
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Thank you! Actually those are Swiss Alps. 😉 But there are some places in Slovenian Alps that are as stunning as is this place. 😉
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Breathtaking pictures. 🙂
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This is amazing! I would love for you to give me some feedback on my adventures and ideas
Check out my page http://www.mywanderwhy.com, or check me out on Instagram @mywanderwhy and give me a like or follow! I always follow back. ❤ thank you and Namaste
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So pretty! Now I’m putting it in my bucketlist
Michelle,
Michellefranclee.com
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Wow what an amazing adventure and your pictures are stunning. Definitely worth the big climb! #adventurecalling
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Most certainly worth all the sweat to get there. Thank you dear! 🙂
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Wow what a place. #adventurecalling
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Looks stunning! I need to get my children in training so they can tackle places like this when they’re a bit bigger. #adventurecalling
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Until then you can still use the child-friendly way to get to such places – cable cars, mountain trains, chair-lifts. At least in Switzerland. 😉
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Thank you for sharing with us it has truly inspired me to travel. #adventurecalling
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That picture of Lake Bannalp is absolutely beautiful, like a fairytale. Another amazing hike with such stunning views. I would have taken the cable car down too-I hate walking downhill! Thank you so much for sharing with us at #AdventureCalling
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What amazing views! With a total ascent over 800m it must have been pretty tough going but, like you say, what a reward you got at the top. Thanks for joining us on #adventurecalling calling I hope you can again tomorrow.
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It wasn’t easy hike, but it was well worth all the effort. Bannalp is gorgeous place. 🙂 Thanks for reminding me, I joined the new edition of #AdventureCalling. Hope you’ll like another of my Swiss hiking adventures. 🙂
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For the bus in direction of Oberrickenbach – Fell, what bus stop did you go down and start the hike? Thanks
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Hi Ariana, we drove to Oberrickenbach by car, but we’ve started our hike close to the cable car station. Bus stop was just next to it, but unfortunately I don’t remember how exactly it is called. My guess would be Talstation or something similar.
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Switzerland is full of surprises! I did not know about this place, how absolutely beautiful it is. I wonder how they created this artificial lake? Just curious, it adds the perfect touch to the scenery.
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It is full of surprises, right? 🙂 Wikipedia says Bannalp Lake was created in 1930s by building a dam during the construction of the power plant in Oberrickenbach.
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Wow, this looks absolutely stunning. We’ve only ever been to Geneva so definitely have to go and see more of Switzerland. Great photos!
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Thank you, glad you enjoyed them 🙂 Yes, Switzerland is beautiful. You definitely should come back and explore other places. 😉
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So stunning – all the photos look like they could easily make it onto postcards! Hiking looks great and you guys had some awesome weather too! Thanks for sharing
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Aww, thank you so much. 🙂 Bannalp is gorgeous, we’ve enjoyed beautiful day at this beautiful place a lot. Thanks for reading. 🙂
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I have never been, but the pictures are so beautiful! It looks like you had an amazing hike and lunch. #theweeklypostcard
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Thank you Laurel. 🙂 Yes, it was a great day out. We’ve enjoyed it a lot. 😉
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I haven’t been to Bannalp before, but after seeing your photos (such a gorgeous views!!!) it goes to my travel bucket list! #TheWeeklyPostcard
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I fully support putting Bannalp to your bucket list – it really is amazingly beautiful place. 🙂
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