“Amazing experience and outstanding guide.”
Samer
on Kayak tour in summer on Lake Brienz
3.8(4 Reviews)
Melchsee-Frutt
Tickets and experiences for Melchsee-Frutt
- Ticket Cable Car Melchsee-Frutt from Stöckalp
Ticket Cable Car Melchsee-Frutt from Stöckalp
3.8(4)Kernsper person
from £24
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“We went as a group of 8. It was a fun experience for friends. Our guide was knowledgeable about the area, shared interesting facts and tailored the tour to our abilities.”
Kayla
on Team event in a large canoe from Buochs“Good”
Jigme
on Ticket Glacier Gorge GrindelwaldActivities near Melchsee-Frutt
- Ticket Cable Car Melchsee-Frutt from Stöckalp
Ticket Cable Car Melchsee-Frutt from Stöckalp
3.8(4)Kernsper person
from £24
- Kayak or Canoe Rental at Lake Lucerne from Brunnen
Kayak or Canoe Rental at Lake Lucerne from Brunnen
Brunnen-Ingenbohlper person
from £64
- Ticket Lantern Walk Sattel-Hochstuckli
Ticket Lantern Walk Sattel-Hochstuckli
5.0(4)saddleper person
from £29
- Team event in a large canoe from Buochs
Team event in a large canoe from Buochs
5.0(1)Buochsper person
from £67
- Private hike from Grindelwald First to Bachalpsee with a Swiss triathlete starting in Grindelwald
Private hike from Grindelwald First to Bachalpsee with a Swiss triathlete starting in Grindelwald
Grindelwaldper person
from £297
- "Hidden Gems" Interlaken private e-bike tour
"Hidden Gems" Interlaken private e-bike tour
Interlakenper person
from £172
- Rent Stand Up Paddle on the Brandsee near Elsigenalp
Rent Stand Up Paddle on the Brandsee near Elsigenalp
Frutigenper person
from £15
- Hiking Klingenstock 10 Lakes Tour guided from Lucerne
Hiking Klingenstock 10 Lakes Tour guided from Lucerne
Lucerneper person
from £641
- "On the prowl with the huntress" Excursion in Jurapark Aargau
"On the prowl with the huntress" Excursion in Jurapark Aargau
Thalheimper person
from £15
- Ticket Glacier Gorge Grindelwald
Ticket Glacier Gorge Grindelwald
4.7(81)Grindelwaldper person
from £21
- Culinary Hike "Flumserberg Pleasure Route"
Culinary Hike "Flumserberg Pleasure Route"
4.7(3)Flumsper person
from £58
- Guided hike up Pilatus with barbecue experience – including Pilatus ticket
Guided hike up Pilatus with barbecue experience – including Pilatus ticket
Lucerneper person
from £182
- Kayak tour in summer on Lake Brienz
Kayak tour in summer on Lake Brienz
4.6(11)Bönigenper person
from £110
- Day hike with guide in Gstaad and Rougemont
Day hike with guide in Gstaad and Rougemont
Gstaadper person
from £325
- "Griesalp UNESCO Alpine Valleys" - E-bike tour from Interlaken
"Griesalp UNESCO Alpine Valleys" - E-bike tour from Interlaken
Interlakenper person
from £334
Good to know about Melchsee-Frutt
Travel Guide
11 Highlights at Melchsee-Frutt
- Melchsee-Frutt is a plateau at about 2000 m above sea level.
- The Melchsee, Tannensee, and Blauseeli are picturesque mountain lakes, perfect for fishing, hiking, and relaxing amidst the Alpine scenery.
- The cable car takes you from Stöckalp to Melchsee-Frutt in about 20 minutes.
- Numerous hiking trails offer spectacular views and routes for various fitness levels, and some are also suitable for mountain bikers.
- All three lakes provide great opportunities for anglers to fish in a calm environment.
- “Uf dr Wildi” is an adventure playground for kids with a farm village, tunnel slide, swings, cable car, and other attractions.
- The Fruttli-Path is an educational trail with information panels dedicated to marmots.
- The Frutt Train is a small tourist train, especially popular with families, offering a cozy ride through the beautiful landscape.
- In winter, Melchsee-Frutt transforms into a ski area, with slopes for all skill levels, ideal for skiers and snowboarders.
- Several hotels let you enjoy the nature of Melchsee-Frutt for a few days longer.
- At alpine huts and in restaurants, you can savor traditional Swiss cuisine, featuring regional specialties and stunning mountain views.
Mountain Lakes at Melchsee-Frutt
At Melchsee-Frutt, you’ll find several beautiful mountain lakes:
| Name | Size (ha) | Fishing | Swimming | Boating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melchsee | 54 | yes | yes | yes |
| Tannensee | 28 | yes | no | ? |
| Blausee | 1.69 | yes | no | no |
At all three lakes, you can fish for brook trout, char, rainbow trout, and other types of trout. You’ll need a fishing license for this. Fishing licenses are usually available at local tourism offices, at the mountain station of the cable car, or in nearby shops that partner with the tourism association.
South of Melchsee, there’s an extensive flat moorland area. This is the Melchsee nature reserve. East of Melchsee, additional flat moors have been included in the Distelboden nature reserve.
Melchsee at Melchsee Frutt
The Melchsee invites you to go hiking. There’s a lovely walking path for families that circles the lake. Keep an eye out for the marmot Fruttli! At 10 stations along the learning and experience trail Fruttli Weg, you'll find information about the local marmots. You'll spot them easily, as there’s a large wooden animal with more information waiting for you at each station.
Here are the wooden animals you can find at Melchsee-Frutt:
- Eagle
- Fish
- Frog
- Fox
- Chamois
- Cow
- Deer
- Sheep
- Ibex
- Goat
Several public fire pits around the lake offer seating and wood supplies for a cozy picnic or grilling. A full walk around the lake takes about an hour without any stops.
You can rent rowboats in the summer from a boat rental right by the lake. On warm summer days, the Melchsee invites you to swim, even though the water can be quite cool due to the altitude. There are no official bathing facilities, but at some points, you can easily access the water. In winter, the lake often freezes, providing excellent opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating. During the winter months, there are rental stations for cross-country skis and snowshoes available at Melchsee-Frutt.
Tannensee at Melchsee Frutt
The Tannensee is located not far from Melchsee. It has been developed into a reservoir. At its eastern shore and along the Tannendamm, you’ll find spacious fire pits equipped with dry wood and grills. The Frutt train also stops at Tannensee.
Blauseeli at Melchsee Frutt
This small mountain lake is situated east of the village of Frutt on Alp Aa. It covers an area of 1.69 hectares. It’s a great spot for fishing, but swimming is not allowed. The lake got its name from the sparkling blue hues of its water. All three lakes offer stunning photo opportunities year-round, especially during sunrise or sunset. Birdwatchers will also enjoy their time here, as the lakes and their surroundings are home to various bird species. The water from all three lakes is used for electricity generation at the Hugschwendi power plant (also known as the Melchsee-Frutt power plant).
Playground at Melchsee Frutt: Uf dr Wildi
The playground features a little farmers' village. Here, you’ll find a barn with a tunnel slide, a zip line, swings, and much more. A fire pit with plenty of seating encourages families to linger longer. Whether at the climbing course, in the marmot cave, or at the stone building site, your kids will feel right at home. You can find the playground above the old mountain station, and it’s also the starting point for the Fruttli Trail.
Hiking from or to Melchsee-Frutt
You have the opportunity to choose a suitable hike from these options or create your own route.
Hikes
| Name | Route | Length (km) | Duration (h) | Elevation gain ↑ | Elevation loss ↓ | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonistock Loop | Melchsee-Frutt – Bonistock – Chringen – Tannalp – Tannendamm – Melchsee-Frutt | 9.52 | 2:50 | 396 | 396 | easy to moderate |
| Bettenalp-Bonistock Loop | Melchsee-Frutt – Arviböden – Bettenalp – Chringen – Bonistock – Melchsee-Frutt | 7.3 | 2:45 | 495 | 495 | moderate to hard |
| Erzegg Loop | Melchsee-Frutt – Distelboden – Balmeregghorn – Erzegg – Fachshubel – Tannendamm – Melchsee-Frutt | 11.25 | 3:30 | 505 | 505 | moderate to hard |
| Stöckalp – Melchsee-Frutt | Stöckalp – Obere Stöck – Ziflucht – Aastafel – Dempfelsmatt – Melchsee-Frutt | 5.8 | 2:30 | 831 | - | moderate to hard |
| Melchsee-Frutt – Wolfisalp – Stöckalp | Melchsee-Frutt – Arviböden – Bettenalp – Heufrutt – Wolfisalp – Stöckalp | 10.95 | 3:45 | 386 | 1220 | moderate to hard |
| Jochpass-Schaftal Loop | Melchsee-Frutt – Tannalp – Engstlenalp – Jochpass – Schaftal – Tannalp – Melchsee-Frutt | 21.60 | 6:15 | 814 | 814 | moderate to hard |
| Frutt-Älggi | Melchsee-Frutt – Abgschütz – Seefeldsee – Älggi Mittelpunkt – Bachegg – Innenbach – Stöckalp | 14.58 | 5:45 | 735 | 1569 | hard |
| Hochstollen Loop | Melchsee-Frutt – Balmeregghorn – Planplatten – Hääggen – Hochstollen – Abgschütz – Melchsee-Frutt | 17.50 | 6:15 | 1125 | 1125 | hard |
Alpine Hikes
| Name | Route | Length (km) | Duration (h) | Elevation gain ↑ | Elevation loss ↓ | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Tour Barglen | Melchsee-Frutt – Bonistock – Chringen – Hohmad – Chli Hohmad – Barglenchäle – Barglen | 6.4 | 3:30 | 970 | 202 | T3/T4 |
| Alpine Tour Brünighaupt | Melchsee-Frutt – Blausee – Abgschütz – Chli Haupt „Muiggächopf“ – Brünighaupt | 5.8 | 2:35 | 637 | 231 | T3/T4/T5 |
| Alpine Loop Glogghuis – Rothorn – Balmeregghorn | Melchsee-Frutt – Blausee – Abgschütz – Hochstollen – Wit Ris – Glogghuis – Rothorn – Balmeregg | 13.55 | 6:10 | 1178 | 1178 | T3/T4/T5 |
Swiss Activities Tip
The Four Lakes Hiking Trail is particularly beautiful and starts at Melchsee. From there, you continue over Tannensee to Engstlensee on the Engstlenalp. Hike over the Jochpass until you reach Trübsee and Engelberg. The route covers nearly 14 km and ascends 600 meters in elevation. From Trübsee, you can either descend via the Kanonenrohr or take the Titlisbahn down to Engelberg. You should plan for at least four hours for this hike.
You can save hiking distance along the way:
- Fruttli train to the Tannalp stop
- Chairlift Engstlenalp – Jochpass
- Chairlift Jochpass – Trübsee
Melchsee-Frutt Cable Car
The cable car to Melchsee-Frutt connects the valley at Stöckalp with the mountain station at Melchsee-Frutt, located at 1933 m above sea level, overcoming a height difference of about 900 meters.
- Valley station: 1080 m above sea level (Stöckalp)
- Mountain station: 1933 m above sea level (Melchsee-Frutt)
The ride takes about 20 minutes and offers beautiful views of the surrounding Alps, mountain lakes, and untouched nature. The cable car operates year-round, providing access to a variety of recreational activities in Melchsee-Frutt during both summer and winter.
Cable Car Operating Times Stöckalp - Melchsee-Frutt
Summer: Mid-June – Mid-October Winter: Approximately mid-December – first week of April
From Distelboden (1920 m above sea level), you can continue to Bonistock (2160 m above sea level) with the gondola. Distelboden also hosts one of the hotels in Melchsee-Frutt.
Frutt Train
The Frutt Train offers a charming way for families and older visitors to explore the stunning mountain scenery in a cozy and family-friendly manner on Melchsee-Frutt.
The train operates hourly during the summer (mid-June to mid-October), running between the old mountain station – Dörfli – Panoramalift – chapel – Distelboden – Tannendamm – Tannensee – Fachshubel and Tannalp. This route is 3.5 km long.
The Frutt Train is pulled by a tractor and features several open or covered wagons, accommodating about 50 passengers.
Attractions along the route include Melchsee and Tannensee, both popular destinations for hiking, fishing, and boating. The train also stops at various viewpoints, offering perfect photo opportunities.
You can purchase tickets for the Frutt Train at the mountain station of the Melchsee-Frutt cable car or directly on the train.
11 Highlights at Melchsee-Frutt
- Melchsee-Frutt is a plateau at about 2000 m above sea level.
- The Melchsee, Tannensee, and Blauseeli are picturesque mountain lakes, perfect for fishing, hiking, and relaxing amidst the Alpine scenery.
- The cable car takes you from Stöckalp to Melchsee-Frutt in about 20 minutes.
- Numerous hiking trails offer spectacular views and routes for various fitness levels, and some are also suitable for mountain bikers.
- All three lakes provide great opportunities for anglers to fish in a calm environment.
- “Uf dr Wildi” is an adventure playground for kids with a farm village, tunnel slide, swings, cable car, and other attractions.
- The Fruttli-Path is an educational trail with information panels dedicated to marmots.
- The Frutt Train is a small tourist train, especially popular with families, offering a cozy ride through the beautiful landscape.
- In winter, Melchsee-Frutt transforms into a ski area, with slopes for all skill levels, ideal for skiers and snowboarders.
- Several hotels let you enjoy the nature of Melchsee-Frutt for a few days longer.
- At alpine huts and in restaurants, you can savor traditional Swiss cuisine, featuring regional specialties and stunning mountain views.
Mountain Lakes at Melchsee-Frutt
At Melchsee-Frutt, you’ll find several beautiful mountain lakes:
| Name | Size (ha) | Fishing | Swimming | Boating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melchsee | 54 | yes | yes | yes |
| Tannensee | 28 | yes | no | ? |
| Blausee | 1.69 | yes | no | no |
At all three lakes, you can fish for brook trout, char, rainbow trout, and other types of trout. You’ll need a fishing license for this. Fishing licenses are usually available at local tourism offices, at the mountain station of the cable car, or in nearby shops that partner with the tourism association.
South of Melchsee, there’s an extensive flat moorland area. This is the Melchsee nature reserve. East of Melchsee, additional flat moors have been included in the Distelboden nature reserve.
Melchsee at Melchsee Frutt
The Melchsee invites you to go hiking. There’s a lovely walking path for families that circles the lake. Keep an eye out for the marmot Fruttli! At 10 stations along the learning and experience trail Fruttli Weg, you'll find information about the local marmots. You'll spot them easily, as there’s a large wooden animal with more information waiting for you at each station.
Here are the wooden animals you can find at Melchsee-Frutt:
- Eagle
- Fish
- Frog
- Fox
- Chamois
- Cow
- Deer
- Sheep
- Ibex
- Goat
Several public fire pits around the lake offer seating and wood supplies for a cozy picnic or grilling. A full walk around the lake takes about an hour without any stops.
You can rent rowboats in the summer from a boat rental right by the lake. On warm summer days, the Melchsee invites you to swim, even though the water can be quite cool due to the altitude. There are no official bathing facilities, but at some points, you can easily access the water. In winter, the lake often freezes, providing excellent opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating. During the winter months, there are rental stations for cross-country skis and snowshoes available at Melchsee-Frutt.
Tannensee at Melchsee Frutt
The Tannensee is located not far from Melchsee. It has been developed into a reservoir. At its eastern shore and along the Tannendamm, you’ll find spacious fire pits equipped with dry wood and grills. The Frutt train also stops at Tannensee.
Blauseeli at Melchsee Frutt
This small mountain lake is situated east of the village of Frutt on Alp Aa. It covers an area of 1.69 hectares. It’s a great spot for fishing, but swimming is not allowed. The lake got its name from the sparkling blue hues of its water. All three lakes offer stunning photo opportunities year-round, especially during sunrise or sunset. Birdwatchers will also enjoy their time here, as the lakes and their surroundings are home to various bird species. The water from all three lakes is used for electricity generation at the Hugschwendi power plant (also known as the Melchsee-Frutt power plant).
Playground at Melchsee Frutt: Uf dr Wildi
The playground features a little farmers' village. Here, you’ll find a barn with a tunnel slide, a zip line, swings, and much more. A fire pit with plenty of seating encourages families to linger longer. Whether at the climbing course, in the marmot cave, or at the stone building site, your kids will feel right at home. You can find the playground above the old mountain station, and it’s also the starting point for the Fruttli Trail.
Hiking from or to Melchsee-Frutt
You have the opportunity to choose a suitable hike from these options or create your own route.
Hikes
| Name | Route | Length (km) | Duration (h) | Elevation gain ↑ | Elevation loss ↓ | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonistock Loop | Melchsee-Frutt – Bonistock – Chringen – Tannalp – Tannendamm – Melchsee-Frutt | 9.52 | 2:50 | 396 | 396 | easy to moderate |
| Bettenalp-Bonistock Loop | Melchsee-Frutt – Arviböden – Bettenalp – Chringen – Bonistock – Melchsee-Frutt | 7.3 | 2:45 | 495 | 495 | moderate to hard |
| Erzegg Loop | Melchsee-Frutt – Distelboden – Balmeregghorn – Erzegg – Fachshubel – Tannendamm – Melchsee-Frutt | 11.25 | 3:30 | 505 | 505 | moderate to hard |
| Stöckalp – Melchsee-Frutt | Stöckalp – Obere Stöck – Ziflucht – Aastafel – Dempfelsmatt – Melchsee-Frutt | 5.8 | 2:30 | 831 | - | moderate to hard |
| Melchsee-Frutt – Wolfisalp – Stöckalp | Melchsee-Frutt – Arviböden – Bettenalp – Heufrutt – Wolfisalp – Stöckalp | 10.95 | 3:45 | 386 | 1220 | moderate to hard |
| Jochpass-Schaftal Loop | Melchsee-Frutt – Tannalp – Engstlenalp – Jochpass – Schaftal – Tannalp – Melchsee-Frutt | 21.60 | 6:15 | 814 | 814 | moderate to hard |
| Frutt-Älggi | Melchsee-Frutt – Abgschütz – Seefeldsee – Älggi Mittelpunkt – Bachegg – Innenbach – Stöckalp | 14.58 | 5:45 | 735 | 1569 | hard |
| Hochstollen Loop | Melchsee-Frutt – Balmeregghorn – Planplatten – Hääggen – Hochstollen – Abgschütz – Melchsee-Frutt | 17.50 | 6:15 | 1125 | 1125 | hard |
Alpine Hikes
| Name | Route | Length (km) | Duration (h) | Elevation gain ↑ | Elevation loss ↓ | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Tour Barglen | Melchsee-Frutt – Bonistock – Chringen – Hohmad – Chli Hohmad – Barglenchäle – Barglen | 6.4 | 3:30 | 970 | 202 | T3/T4 |
| Alpine Tour Brünighaupt | Melchsee-Frutt – Blausee – Abgschütz – Chli Haupt „Muiggächopf“ – Brünighaupt | 5.8 | 2:35 | 637 | 231 | T3/T4/T5 |
| Alpine Loop Glogghuis – Rothorn – Balmeregghorn | Melchsee-Frutt – Blausee – Abgschütz – Hochstollen – Wit Ris – Glogghuis – Rothorn – Balmeregg | 13.55 | 6:10 | 1178 | 1178 | T3/T4/T5 |
Swiss Activities Tip
The Four Lakes Hiking Trail is particularly beautiful and starts at Melchsee. From there, you continue over Tannensee to Engstlensee on the Engstlenalp. Hike over the Jochpass until you reach Trübsee and Engelberg. The route covers nearly 14 km and ascends 600 meters in elevation. From Trübsee, you can either descend via the Kanonenrohr or take the Titlisbahn down to Engelberg. You should plan for at least four hours for this hike.
You can save hiking distance along the way:
- Fruttli train to the Tannalp stop
- Chairlift Engstlenalp – Jochpass
- Chairlift Jochpass – Trübsee
Melchsee-Frutt Cable Car
The cable car to Melchsee-Frutt connects the valley at Stöckalp with the mountain station at Melchsee-Frutt, located at 1933 m above sea level, overcoming a height difference of about 900 meters.
- Valley station: 1080 m above sea level (Stöckalp)
- Mountain station: 1933 m above sea level (Melchsee-Frutt)
The ride takes about 20 minutes and offers beautiful views of the surrounding Alps, mountain lakes, and untouched nature. The cable car operates year-round, providing access to a variety of recreational activities in Melchsee-Frutt during both summer and winter.
Cable Car Operating Times Stöckalp - Melchsee-Frutt
Summer: Mid-June – Mid-October Winter: Approximately mid-December – first week of April
From Distelboden (1920 m above sea level), you can continue to Bonistock (2160 m above sea level) with the gondola. Distelboden also hosts one of the hotels in Melchsee-Frutt.
Frutt Train
The Frutt Train offers a charming way for families and older visitors to explore the stunning mountain scenery in a cozy and family-friendly manner on Melchsee-Frutt.
The train operates hourly during the summer (mid-June to mid-October), running between the old mountain station – Dörfli – Panoramalift – chapel – Distelboden – Tannendamm – Tannensee – Fachshubel and Tannalp. This route is 3.5 km long.
The Frutt Train is pulled by a tractor and features several open or covered wagons, accommodating about 50 passengers.
Attractions along the route include Melchsee and Tannensee, both popular destinations for hiking, fishing, and boating. The train also stops at various viewpoints, offering perfect photo opportunities.
You can purchase tickets for the Frutt Train at the mountain station of the Melchsee-Frutt cable car or directly on the train.