10 Highlights on the Klewenalp
- The panoramic view from the Klewenalp overlooks the Lake Lucerne and the surrounding Alps.
- There are numerous hiking trails starting from the Klewenalp, including the hike to the Stockhütte or along the Flower Trail.
- The aerial cable car takes you from Beckenried to the Klewenalp in ten minutes, climbing 1,150 meters in altitude. The cable car can carry up to 70 people.
- You’ll find beautifully designed playgrounds at the mountain stations of the Klewenalp and the Stockhütte. You can reach the Stockhütte after a 1.5-hour hike and then take the cable car down to Emmetten.
- The climbing garden and the via ferrata at the Klewenalp are suitable for both kids and adults.
- The area around the Klewenalp is known for its wildlife, including chamois and marmots. The wildlife observation trail features designated paths with viewing and observation points.
- Alpine and mountain restaurants serve local specialties and traditional Swiss cuisine.
- In winter, the Klewenalp offers well-prepared slopes for skiers and snowboarders. Several sledding paths are suitable for both families and sporty racers.
- The Klewenalp is a popular starting point for paragliding, as the view down to the Lake Lucerne is particularly stunning.
- The St. Nicholas Mountain Chapel is a small chapel located just a five-minute walk from the mountain station. During summer, there are yodel masses held every Sunday.
What to Expect at Klewenalp
At Klewenalp, you'll find several restaurants and mountain inns, many of which are open year-round. If you enjoy grilling with friends or family, there are plenty of lovely fire pits scattered around the mountain. And if you like it here, you can also stay overnight.
Klewenalp Restaurants and Mountain Inns:
- KlewenStube 1600 Mountain Inn: right at the Klewenalp mountain station
- Tannibüel Mountain Restaurant: opens on sunny days; features a large sun terrace
- Alpstubli Mountain Restaurant: a 5-minute walk from the Klewenalp mountain station and right on the ski slope/hiking trail
- Klewenstock Alp Excursion Ski Pistenhotel: 15-minute walk from the Klewenalp mountain station, offering overnight stays under the starry sky in a fold-out bed
- PanoramaBar: in the heart of the ski area during the winter season
Klewenalp Firepits
Throughout the area, there are at least six well-equipped firepits on Klewenalp. Additionally, there are at least three firepits around the Stockhütte. These spots are perfect for families or small groups to enjoy a self-catering experience while taking in the fantastic views. Firewood is available (except at the Stollen firepit).
| Name |
Location |
Accessibility |
Special Feature |
| Brisenblick |
Klewenalp |
20 min from the Klewenalp mountain station |
on the Alpine flower trail with a view of Brisen |
| Aengi |
Klewenalp |
5 min from the Aengi chairlift |
on the hiking path between Klewenalp and Stockhütte |
| Schwalmisblick |
Klewenalp |
20 min from the Klewenalp mountain station |
on the Alpine flower trail with a view of Schwalmis |
| Seeblick |
Klewenalp |
200 m next to the Klewenalp mountain station |
Playground nearby |
| Ergglen |
Klewenalp |
30 min from the Klewenalp mountain station |
right next to the climbing route and climbing garden |
| Stollen |
Klewenalp |
30 min from the Klewenalp mountain station |
best view of Lake Lucerne, perfect for sunsets |
| Twäregg |
Stockhütte |
45 min from the Klewenalp mountain station, 60 min from the Stockhütte mountain station |
with a cool lookout tower and wooden shelter |
| Stockhütte |
Stockhütte |
immediately next to the Stockhütte gondola station |
playground with climbing frame, barefoot path, treetop path with an 18 m slide |
| Plegerloch |
Stockhütte |
30 min from the Stockhütte mountain station |
on the stroller path from Klewenalp to Stockhütte |
Accommodation at Klewenalp
Besides the mountain guesthouses, there are other options for overnight stays. For example, you can sleep in a tipi at 1,700 m above sea level. You can reach the tipi hut from the Klewenalp mountain station on foot in about an hour. It’s located right on the way to the Brisenhaus at the cozy alpine hut in Ober-Biel and also features a restaurant.
The SAC Brisenhaus is situated at 1,735 m above sea level and offers sleeping spaces for 48 people. The Naturfreundehaus Röthen is at 1,600 m above sea level and has 44 sleeping spaces available during the summer season. It takes you about 20 minutes to walk from the Klewenalp mountain station.
Activities You Can Enjoy at Klewenalp
At Klewenalp, you have a variety of activities to choose from. A great family outing option is the descent from Stockhütte on a bikeboard. You hike from Klewenalp to Stockhütte and then ride the bikeboard down to Emmetten. Children up to 12 years old can ride in front of an adult on the bikeboard.
The Alpine Flower Trail is a three-kilometer loop around Klewenstock. Along the way, you'll see about 120 different plants, each described on panels. This path also leads to the mountain restaurant Alpstubli, starting and ending at the Klewenalp mountain station.
For mountain bikers, there are several trails available at Klewenalp.
Climbing at Klewenalp
For climbing, the Ergglen Klewenalp climbing garden and the via ferrata Ergglen Klewenalp are good options. You can reach the climbing garden on foot in about 30 minutes from the Klewenalp mountain station, located behind the Ergglen lift. It's also suitable for families and features well-secured climbing routes ranging from easy (4a) to difficult (7a).
You need to bring your own equipment, but you can rent complete via ferrata sets at the Klewenalp mountain station. You can access the via ferrata near the climbing garden in about 20 minutes using ladders, footholds, and iron bolts. It leads through the rocks in the Ergglen area, and a nearby barbecue spot is waiting for you. The via ferrata is free and done at your own risk.
The play and activity area “Holzwelt” next to the Klewenalp mountain station offers wooden elements with loop, climbing, and net features, suitable for both kids and adults during the summer.
At the hiking destination Stockhütte, you will also find a playground. Highlights of this little family paradise include a swing carousel, a balance path, and a large seesaw. It's complemented by a ball track and a canopy walkway, which has an 18-meter-long tunnel slide that leads back to the playground.
Hiking Trails from Klewenalp
These eight hiking trails let you explore Klewenalp and its surroundings. Along the way, you'll come across fire pits where you can take a break. Some of these fire pits might even become your hiking destination, especially when you're out with friends or the whole family.
Klewenalp Hiking Trails:
| Route |
Length (km) |
Time (hrs) |
Elevation ↑ |
Elevation ↓ |
Difficulty |
| Klewenalp - Stockhütte |
5.6 |
1.5 |
150 |
200 |
easy |
| Klewenalp - Niederbauen |
8.5 |
3.0 |
450 |
300 |
medium |
| Klewenalp - Bürgenstock |
12.0 |
4.0 |
600 |
900 |
medium |
| Klewenalp - Rinderbühl |
4.5 |
1.5 |
350 |
150 |
easy |
| Klewenalp - Emmetten |
7.0 |
2.5 |
200 |
800 |
medium |
| Klewenalp - Beckenried (via Aengi) |
7.8 |
2.5 |
50 |
1150 |
medium |
| Klewenalp - Brisenhaus |
8.7 |
3.0 |
600 |
300 |
medium |
| Klewenalp - Hinter Jochli |
6.0 |
2.0 |
500 |
250 |
medium |
These hiking paths offer a good mix of easy and moderate routes, suitable for both beginners and experienced walkers. The hikes provide beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Lucerne.
Swiss Activities Tip
For a family outing or a day out with friends, we recommend the following route:
- Boat trip from Lucerne or Vitznau to Beckenried
- Ride the cable car up to Klewenalp
- 45-minute hike to Stockhütte (Part 1) with a stop at the Twäregg fire pit
- Barbecue at the Twäregg fire pit (wood is available)
- 60-minute hike to Stockhütte (Part 2)
- Descend with a bike board to Emmetten (or alternatively take the cable car)
- Travel from Emmetten to Beckenried by PostBus 311
- Boat trip back from Beckenried to Lucerne or Vitznau
Klewenalp-Stockhütte Ski Resort
In winter, the slopes at the Klewenalp-Stockhütte ski resort offer excellent opportunities for skiing and snowboarding. The ski and snow sports school provides daily lessons and a children's daycare for kids. On Wednesday afternoons at Stockhütte, kids can join in on "Fun in the Snow." Magic carpets are available at Klewenboden and at the Stockhütte mountain station.
The toboggan run is the longest in Central Switzerland, stretching over 9 km.
: Toboggan Runs in the Klewenalp-Stockhütte Ski Resort
|Route|Length (km)|Time (hrs)|Altitude ↓ |Difficulty |
|---------|-----|---|---|---|---|
|Klewenalp-Twäregg-Stockhütte-Emmetten | 9.89 |1.5 |898 | easy |
|Stockhütte-Emmetten | 4.77 |0.5 |524 | easy |
|Röthenport-Ängi (around Klewenstock) | 3.75 |0.45 |221 | easy |
Getting to Klewenalp
You take the cable car from Beckenried up to Klewenalp. The cabin accommodates up to 70 people and covers 1150 meters in altitude in just 10 minutes.
By Car
From Zurich, you can reach Beckenried by car in about an hour via the A4 and A2. If you're coming from Lucerne, it takes around 20 minutes via the A2. You can access the valley station from the Buochs/Beckenried exit or the Beckenried/Emmetten exit. There are 270 parking spaces available for cars at the Beckenried valley station.
By Public Transport
You can get to Beckenried from Zurich in about two hours using public transport. You can also combine train and boat to make your journey part of the experience. In Lucerne or Vitznau, you can switch to the boat. The postbus 311 runs between Emmetten and Beckenried.