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Engelberg Summer Adventure of the Week – Schletteren Trail Run

A gravel path winds through a lush green forest with tall trees on either side. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

This week, we’re serving up a shorter run that will certainly have you sweating. This 7.5km run features a nice flat section to get your legs moving, a steady climb through the woods that is perfect for running, and another flatter section to finish it all off. With 625m of gain, we love using it for hill intervals or steady pace endurance building. 

Hiking map of the Schletteren trail in Engelberg, showing the route, elevation profile, distance, elevation gain, and estimated time.

1. The Warm-Up

You’ll start this run with 2.8 km warm-up through the village. This section, with a gentle ascent of 136 meters, is perfect for getting your muscles warmed up and ready for the challenge ahead. The terrain is a mix of pavement, cobblestone, and trail, and you might even see a few sheep on the way! As you approach Horbis, the scenery becomes more and more beautiful, ending in the “End der Welt” (End of the World), a stunning valley surrounded by towering cliffs. The name might suggest isolation, but this spot is a beautiful haven, offering breathtaking views and a nice place to take it all in before the climb begins.

A signpost with yellow arrows pointing in different directions stands in front of a wooden building. The signs indicate the directions to Lourdesgrotte, Horbis, Fürenalp, Schletteren, Ristis, Bucchli, and Brunnibahn. There's a smaller sign at the bottom reminding people to keep their dogs on a leash.
A gravel path winds through a lush green forest with tall trees on either side. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
A gravel path leads to a paved road with a signpost indicating hiking trails. The path is surrounded by lush green trees and mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
A narrow, winding path cuts through a vibrant green field, leading towards a mountainous landscape. Overhead, cables with a loop hang in the clear blue sky, adding a sense of depth to the scene. The mountains in the background are partially covered in greenery, with a prominent peak standing out against the sky.

2. The Schletteren Climb

The next stage is the Schletteren climb, a 2.5 km ascent. As you work your way up the elevation gain of 372 meters, you will find yourself in a dense, beautiful forest. The climb is steep but runnable, winding its way through the forest with occasional clearings offering views of the surrounding peaks and our town below. After each zig and zag, you will be rewarded with a new view! 

A gravel path winds through a lush green forest with tall trees on either side. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
A mountain landscape with a clear blue sky. Lush green trees and wildflowers fill the foreground, with snow-capped mountains in the distance.
The sun shines brightly in a clear blue sky, casting a radiant light over a mountainous region. The silhouette of a rugged mountain peak is framed by tall evergreen trees and lush green foliage in the foreground, creating a picturesque and serene natural scene.

3. The Speedy Traverse

After completing the Schletteren climb, the trail transitions into more of a traverse, a 1.8 km stretch that is relatively flat with an ascent of just 114 meters. This section is ideal for picking up the pace. The path here is smoother, allowing you to focus on speed as you make your way towards the Ristis gondola station. The landscape opens up, offering amazing views of the surrounding farms, mountains, and the valley below. As you approach Ristis, you have a choice: continue the ascent to Brunnihütte for more vert, or take a well-deserved break on the Ristis terrace. From here, take the gondola down and soak in your hard work!  

A gravel path winds through a green meadow towards a wooden barn. Snow-capped mountains rise in the background under a bright blue sky with white clouds.
A winding path cuts through a vast green meadow, leading towards a backdrop of majestic mountains under a clear blue sky. Several paragliders soar high above the landscape.
A gravel path leads through a green meadow towards a wooden fence. Snow-capped mountains rise in the background under a bright blue sky with white clouds.
Several paragliders fly in formation against a clear blue sky with white clouds. A vast green meadow slopes upwards, meeting a dark green forest at the horizon.
A winding road leads through a lush green meadow where cows graze peacefully. Snow-capped mountains rise in the background under a clear blue sky.

Ready for this speedy hill climb? Let’s do it! Stay with us and get tips on this run, or any other adventure you might want to explore in Engelberg!

// Sunny Regards from your friends at Ski Lodge Engelberg

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