Niederbauen (1570m) – Niederbauen Kulm (1923m) – Niederbauen
How to get there
| Location: Niederbauen | Lake Lucerne, canton Nidwalden, and canton Uri |
| Starting Point Gondola | Emmetten, Niederbauen gondola valley station |
| Starting Point Hike | Niederbauen gondola mountain station |
| Highest Point Hike | Niederbauen Kulm |
| Ending Point Hike | Niederbauen gondola mountain station |
| Arrival by car | Drive time from Zurich: about 1 hour | Drive time from Lucerne: about 25 minutes |
| Parking | Parking Egg | Parking Church Emetten |
Facts and Figures about the Hike from Niederbauen to Niederbauen Kulm
| Walking Time | 2:30 hours [ 1:30 up to Niederbauen, 1:00 down to Niederbauen] |
| When to go | April – November |
| Difficulty | easy to medium |
| Type of hike | Round hike |
| Waypoints | Niederbauen – Alp Tritt – Hundschopf – Niederbauen Kulm – Niederbauen |
| Terrain | Initially wide mountain road, strollers ok until Alp Tritt; then small and occasionally steep trail over soft meadows. Well-maintained trail with built-in steps. |
| Elevation | 350 meters |
| Cable Car | Yes, Emmetten to Niederbauen [800m altitude gain, and getting you 2km closer to Niederbauen Chulm] |
| Cost | Cable Car round-trip: CHF 22 (adults) | CHF 16 (kids 6-16 years] |
| Restaurants and picnic sites | Restaurant Niederbauen | several grills and picnic sites | Cheese degustation on Cheese Trail |
| Highlights | View from Hundschopf |
| Good to know | Make sure you take some dramatic pics from the lookout point at the Hundschopf, with stunning views straight down to the deep blue waters of Lake Uri and the surrounding mountains. Treat yourself to a magical sunset dinner at the restaurant Niederbauen (prior reservation recommended) or stay there overnight |
Free interactive map of the hike from Niederbauen – Niederbauen Kulm – Niederbauen
This easy-to-medium hike covers 350m vertical meters on the way up/down and lasts approx. 1:30 hrs on the way up and 1 hr on the way down. The terrain is quite varied, ranging from wide mountain gravel roads to narrow, steep trails that zig-zag up to the peak. The views are stunning along the entire route, and there are numerous spots where wildlife can be observed.
Trail Conditions
The hike starts from the restaurant Niederbauen on a softly sloping mountain gravel road towards Alp Tritt, which lies on the wide, flat saddle between Niederbauen and Oberbauen. Up until there, one could easily push a stroller on the wide road. The trail then changes into a slightly ascending more narrow field trail over lush meadows until you reach Hundschopf. From there, it’s turning into a narrow mountain trail that zig-zags steeply up grassy pastures along the ridge to the Niederbauen Chulm peak.
Our experience hiking from Niederbauen to Niederbauen Kulm and back
We hiked from Niedrebauen to Niederbauen Kulm and back on a sunny autumn day in October. Read everything about our experience below.
Arrival in Emmetten and Gondola to Niederbauen
We took the car to Emmetten and parked it close to the valley station of Niederbauen. A couple of steps away lays the valley station of the Gondola to Niederbauen. We bought our tickets and stepped into the tiny cabin. The initial gondola ride from Emmetten to Niederbauen in the small 8-person “Gondolina” is already an adventure all by itself as you glide over 800 vertical meters in dizzying heights across sheer rocks, beautiful forests, and steep mountain pastures. On perfect hiking days, make sure you get there early in order to avoid long wait times or take the alternative hiking route from Emmetten to Niederbauen
On the Niederbauen trail to Alp Tritt
Once we arrived on the Niederbauen Restaurant terrace, we were greeted by the dominant, vertical rock formations along the ridge from the Oberbauen. On days with favorable wind conditions, the jumping-off point above Niederbauen is crowded with paragliders who take off over the deep blue waters of Lake Lucerne. We filled our water bottles and started our hike.
On the Niederbauen trail from Alp Tritt to Hund Chopf
The initial ascent on the wide mountain gravel road to Alp Tritt is an easy, casual walk, passing numerous farm huts and a cheesery that is open during the main hiking season. In grand anticipation of stunning views, we reached the wide, flat saddle on Alp Tritt, which forms the pass between Niederbauen Chulm and Oberbauen. After taking in the amazing 360-degree views, we turned left at the trail fork towards the lookout point of the Hundschopf.
From Hundschopf to Niederbauen Kulm on the Niederbauen trail
Prior to the steep ascent towards the Niederbauen Kulm peak, we took the short 10-minute detour down towards the Hundschopf lookout point for some dramatic selfies, videos, and photos. The cliffs drop vertically down towards Lake Uri, and we glanced across the Lake where our eyes met the Fronalpstock range. This is also the perfect spot for grilling, picnicking, and getting a final carb boost prior to the steep hike up to the Niederbauen Kulm. Onwards, guys!
A steep ascent to Niedebauen Kulm and an amazing view from the top
The narrow trail zig-zags along the Southwestern ridge that ends at the Niederbauen Kulm peak. Then, we arrived at the peak. The views are overwhelming as with every 100m in altitude gain, additional peaks and mountain ranges made themselves visible. After executing the obligatory summit high-five move, you can then decide whether you take the same steep trail back down or – as we highly recommend – take the safe, easy trail over the North side.
From Niederbauen Kulm to Niederbauen over the North side
On this return stretch on the Niederbauen trail, we stood the best chances to spot wildlife on the steep Eastern meadows and rocky pastures of the Niederbauen Kulm massif. An occasional chamois or Capricorn is quite common, as the animals are used to humans and it is a nature protection area. The trail is extremely well maintained and – while occasionally quite steep – much wider than the ascent to the peak from the Hundschopf. After a while, we reached the wide mountain gravel road again. From there, it is an easy stroll back to the Niederbauen along the paragliders on the right side of the trail.
Conclusion of our hike on the Niederbauen trail from Niederbauen to Niederbauen Kulm and back
This is an easy, short and rewarding hiking experience that contains all the elements to make this a memorable, stunning mountain experience. The trail is versatile, clearly defined (even in foggy weather conditions), and very well maintained. Despite its relatively low elevation, the Niederbauen Kulm offers a unique Alpine experience, last but not least because of the sheer vertical rock walls that drop into the blue waters of Lake Uri. Try to get an early start so you can build in various picnic breaks, enjoy the views, and eternalize your experience with dramatic photos.
Hike&Dine: Dine at Bergretaurant Niederbauen
“Fine-Dine above Lake Lucerne at the start- and endpoint of this hike in Niederbauen. The Bergrestaurant Niederbauen spoils every hiker’s heart (and stomach). ”
Things to do: Niederbauen Tandem Paragliding
You did the hike on Niederbauen, but can’t get enough? We have a great idea: Fly over Niederbauen! Book the Niederbauen Tandem Paragliding right here for an unforgettable experience:
More impressions from our hike to Niederbauen Kulm
Find more images from our hike from Niederbauen to Niederbauen Kulm and back:
