Stanserhorn

1,898 m

Switzerland

Also known as Стансерхорн, შტანზერჰორნი, +1

Стансерхорн · შტანზერჰორნი · Штансерхорн

Elevation: 1,898 m
Prominence: 500 m
Difficulty: 2/10; Hike
Best Season: Jun–Sep
Routes: 1

Routes

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The direct walk up Stans' house mountain: about 1,450 m of steady, steep ascent on a well-kept mountain path beside the historic funicular and under the CabriO cable car, via Kälti, the old Bluematt station and the Rinderalp to the summit ridge. About 4–4.5 hours; any section can be shortened by funicular or cable car.

Elevation Profile

Distance: 7.9 km; one way
Ascent: +1,453 m; start → summit
High Point: 1,898 m
Time Up: 5h 50m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 3h 55m; DIN 33466 · same way back

From the Stanserhorn-Bahn valley station in Stans (about 450 m) walk past the 1893 funicular towards the Knirigasse and climb along the road to Kälti, the middle station where the funicular meets the CabriO cable car. Continue directly up beneath the cable car on a good path through forest and pasture to the old intermediate station at Bluematt, where the cable car stops on request (pick up the phone at the pylon). Above Bluematt the path climbs straight up through a cow pasture, steeply, towards the next pylon, then swings left in a final loop over the Rinderalp to the summit ridge. Follow the ridge past the historic searchlight to the revolving restaurant at the top station, then walk five minutes more to the summit (1,898 m). A 30-minute signed summit circuit loops around the top. Most walkers ride down: the cable car and funicular run from mid-April to late November, with evening rides on Thursdays to Saturdays in summer. Walking down, the most direct line is back via Bluematt, or alternatively via the Kalcherli alp. Other marked routes come up from Wirzweli (via Gummen or directly), Wiesenberg (harder), Kerns via the Ächerli pass, and Stans via Kalcherli or Ebnet.

Start

Stans Talstation Stanserhorn-Bahn452 m

Stanserhorn-Bahn: 1893 funicular Stans–Kälti and CabriO cable car Kälti–Stanserhorn (mid-April to late November)
Zentralbahn train from Lucerne to Stans; the funicular valley station is a short walk from the station.
Parking at the trailhead

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Stans Talstation Stanserhorn-Bahn → Stanserhorn	7.9	1,453	7	5h 50m

Waypoints

Station:
Stans Talstation Stanserhorn-Bahn452 m
Valley station of the 1893 funicular
Station:
Kälti713 m
Funicular top / CabriO valley station
Station:
Bluematt1,217 m
Old intermediate station; cable car stops on request
Feature:
Rinderalp1,643 m
Alp pasture below the summit ridge
Lift:
Stanserhorn Bergstation1,808 m
Top station and revolving restaurant
Summit:
Stanserhorn1,898 m

Key Passages

Steep path under the cable car from Kälti to Bluematt
Direct climb through the pasture above Bluematt
Summit ridge past the historic searchlight

Equipment

0/4 packed

Safety

Sun protection and watersteep, open pastures above BluemattRequired

Footwear

Hiking boots with grippy solessteep, sometimes narrow mountain pathRequired

Clothing

Waterproof and warm layersRecommended

Other

Trekking polesfor the descentRecommended

Downloads

Route confidence 75%

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Overview

Stans' house mountain (1,898 m) on the Nidwalden–Obwalden border above Lake Lucerne, reached by an 1893 funicular and the world's first open-top double-deck cable car, or by a steep 4-hour walk from Stans.

The Stanserhorn rises directly south of Stans, between Stans, Ennetmoos, Kerns, Dallenwil and Oberdorf, at the northern edge of the Alps. The view from the top takes in the main Alpine chain and, on clear days, ten lakes including Lake Lucerne, the Sarnersee and Lake Zug, reaching to the Vosges and the Black Forest.

The summit is developed: a revolving restaurant, a viewing deck, a marmot enclosure and a 30-minute summit circuit. It is also a busy launch site for hang-gliders and paragliders. For walkers, though, it is a real climb: about 1,450 m from Stans on steep, well-made mountain paths, with nine signed routes from Stans, Wirzweli, Wiesenberg and Kerns, and the option of riding any section by funicular or cable car.

The Geo-Weg from the summit to Wirzweli (T2), with 19 information boards on geology and flora, starts with a section secured with steps and cables down to the Ächerli area; parts of the path are damaged by avalanches each winter and rebuilt.

Climbing Notes

A strenuous but non-technical walk: good fitness for 1,450 m of ascent, sturdy boots and sure footing on steep paths are enough in summer. Many people walk up and ride down. Early in the season and in late autumn snow can lie on the upper paths and in shady sections, and some paths close; check the operator's list of closed paths before setting out. Avoid the exposed ridge in thunderstorms.

History

Franz Josef Bucher-Durrer and Josef Durrer-Gasser built a three-section electric funicular from Stans via Kälti and Bluematt to the summit from 1891, opened on 23 August 1893 together with the Hotel Stanserhorn Kulm. On 2–3 October 1970 a fire, started by lightning or a short circuit at Bluematt, destroyed the summit hotel and the drive of the top section. A cable car from Kälti replaced the upper sections in 1975; the revolving restaurant opened in 2001. Since 29 June 2012 the 'CabriO', the world's first double-deck cable car with an open upper deck, runs from Kälti, while the original lower funicular section is still in use.

Season

Best Jun–Sep

January: Not advisable
February: Not advisable
March: Not advisable
April: Possible
May: Good
June: Best (best window)
July: Best (best window)
August: Best (best window)
September: Best (best window)
October: Good
November: Possible
December: Not advisable

Jan: Railway closed; snow on the paths
Feb: Railway closed
Mar: Snow on the upper paths
Apr: Railway opens mid-April (11 April in 2026); snow higher up
May: Lower paths clear; snow possible in shady sections
Jun: Alpine flowers; evening rides from June
Jul: Afternoon thunderstorms possible
Sep: Often clear views
Oct: Autumn colours; early snow possible
Nov: Railway runs until late November (22 November in 2026); snow likely
Dec: Railway closed

Access & Permits

Fees

Stanserhorn-Bahn tickets (funicular and CabriO); valid with the Swiss GA travelcard per the operator

Rules

Some paths on the mountain are closed seasonally or after avalanche damage; the Stanserhorn-Bahn publishes a list of closed paths

Getting There

Stans (Nidwalden)

Zurich Airport (ZRH)

Zentralbahn from Lucerne to Stans; the funicular valley station is in the town
For Wirzweli routes: Zentralbahn to Dallenwil, shuttle bus to the Wirzweli cable car
By car to Stans (A2 exit Stans-Süd)

Hazards

Weather