Hiking at Melchsee-Frutt – Bonistock Loop
The Bonistock loop is a 9.5 km hike with 396 m of ascent and descent that starts and ends in the small resort village of Melchsee-Frutt. This fantastic hike has gorgeous views of the Melchtal valley and the Melchsee and Tannensee lakes. We have been hiking, skiing, and sledding at Melchsee-Frutt many times since moving to Switzerland. It has become one of my favorite places and I really enjoyed seeing it from yet another perspective.
Detail Summary| What: | Hiking the Bonistock Rundtour Melchsee‐Frutt –> Bonistock –> Chringen –> Tannalp –> Tannendamm –> Melchsee‐Frutt |
| Where: | Melchsee-Frutt, Canton Obwalden, Switzerland |
| Skill: | Moderate 9 km, 3 hours |
| Condition: | Red/White mountain trail, rocky dirt path |
| Open: | Mid-June/July to October |
| Getting there: | Train: Zürich HB -> Stöckalp – 2 hr 15 min Car: Zürich -> Stöckalp – 1 hr 20 min Large metered parking lot at Stöckalp. |
| Cost 2023: | Cable car from Stöckalp to Melchsee-Frutt Round-trip adult: 37 CHF Discount with SBB half-fare card and GA card. Children to age 16 free when accompanied by an adult. For an additional cost, you can skip the first big climb of the hike by taking the Bonistock cable car. |
The Start
At the gondola station in Melchsee-Frutt, we found the sign pointing us towards Bonistock. Then, just past the Frutt Hotel, the path leaves the village and starts the climb up the ridge to Bonistock.
If you want to skip the climb up, for an additional cost, you take the Bonistock cable car. If you want to do that, follow the sign to Bonistockbahn instead.
The Trail
This first part of the trail up to Bonistock is a bit of a climb with a 300 meters of elevation change, but it isn’t too difficult and the views are outstanding.
When we reached Bonistock, we considered stopping for lunch at the restaurant, but it was a little too early. If f you or any of your group, decided to skip the climb and take the cable car instead, this is where the hike would start.
After leaving Bonistock, we headed towards Chringen. The trail splits here and you have the option of going over the top of the narrow ridge (which we did) or taking a lower path. If you are afraid of heights, definitely take the lower path!
The trail here skirts along the cliff’s edge, but not so close as to make me nervous. Then, there is a bit of steep downhill as you descend into the valley. The view here of the Tannensee lake is wonderful!
As we hiked down into the valley we could see the tiny village of Tannalp in the distance. When we got there, we stopped for lunch. The second two pictures are our lunch view, and our lunch view with cherry pie (very delicious).
After leaving the restaurant, the rest of the hike is a fairly easy valley walk past the Tannealpsee lake back to Melchsee-Frutt.
Getting Back
When we arrived at the shore of Melchsee lake, we decided to take the panorama lift up.
Taking the lift doesn’t save that much in elevation, but I really like the view from the top. Below are summer and winter views from the top of the panorama lift. Gorgeous, right! And isn’t it interesting how the ski path goes right over the lake?
I really enjoyed this hike. Although, if I had to choose between this one and the Erzegg Rundtour, I would probably choose the Erzegg hike. There are many more trails here, so I plan to come back and do them someday. Melchsee-Frutt is a fantastic hiking destination.
Note: This is post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.
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