Engstligenalp - Adelboden

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After a night in the wilderness, for this third stage you will leave the Engstlige Alp and descend into the Adelboden valley. This route is enhanced by the famous Engstlige waterfalls. The Engstlige waterfalls plunge 600 metres into the valley, offering an exceptional spectacle. They are a protected site and are the second highest waterfalls in Switzerland. In the evening, you can enjoy the charming resort of Adelboden.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: From Leukerbad to Lenk

Details

n°86421540
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.98 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 551 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,520 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,414 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,183 ft
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Photos

Adelboden
Adelboden
Engstligenalp
Engstlige

Description of the walk

The starting point for this stage is at the Berghotel on the Engstligenalp.

Signposting: Wasserfallsignposts (white-red-white markings)

(S) Leaving the Berghotel on Engstligenalp, head right towards the west and find the trail that descends towards the waterfalls. You will come to a sign indicating Wasserfall.

(1) Turn left, heading south, and rejoin the Via Alpina near the Engstlige torrent.

(2) Cross the Engstlige and follow the path towards the first waterfall.

(3) Continue downhill on a path along the rock face. Pass under the Engstligenalp cable car twice and you will reach a fork in the path.

(4) Leave the Via Alpina, turn left to reach the second Engstlige waterfall.

Markings: (Yellow markings)

(5) Cross the bridge over the Engstlige and follow the stream on its left bank until you reach a small road.

(6) Cross the Engstligen again and now walk along its right bank, rejoining the Via Alpina Red Stage 100.

(7) Cross back over to the other bank via a small covered bridge. Continue along the Engstlige until you reach a road junction.

(8) Turn left and cross the Boden district, staying on the Via Alpina Red Trail Stage 100, until you reach a fork.

(9) Turn right and stay on the Via Alpina Red Stage 100 until you reach the Allebach stream.

(10) Take the Via Alpina, which leads up a fairly steep slope to the centre of Adelboden.

(11) Turn right onto Dorfstrasse and return to the Hotel Bären, where you will be staying tonight (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 6,411 ft - Berghotel Engstligenalp
  2. 1 : mi 0.12 - alt. 6,355 ft - Wasserfall
  3. 2 : mi 0.17 - alt. 6,312 ft - Directions to Wasserfall
  4. 3 : mi 0.72 - alt. 5,876 ft - First Engstlige waterfall
  5. 4 : mi 1.27 - alt. 4,941 ft - On the left
  6. 5 : mi 1.54 - alt. 4,744 ft - Second Engstlige waterfall
  7. 6 : mi 2.09 - alt. 4,505 ft - On the right
  8. 7 : mi 2.96 - alt. 4,327 ft - Small covered bridge over the Engstlige
  9. 8 : mi 3.76 - alt. 4,183 ft - On the left
  10. 9 : mi 4.33 - alt. 4,357 ft - On the left
  11. 10 : mi 4.48 - alt. 4,350 ft - Towards Adelboden
  12. 11 : mi 4.83 - alt. 4,442 ft - Dorfstrasse
  13. E : mi 4.98 - alt. 4,436 ft - Adelboden - Hotel Bären

Notes

Hike completed by the author on 12 October 2025

Weather: before setting off, check the Swiss Weather Service or Météo blue
Hiking equipment, including good walking shoes.

Before setting off, check the SuisseMobile websitefor any trail closures or diversions.

Worth a visit

  • The Engstligenalp.
  • The Wildstrubel.
  • The Engstlige waterfalls.
  • Adelboden, a famous winter sports resort in the canton of Bern.

Other walks in the area

Walking Engstligenalp Waterfall

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↔3.66 mi ↗+2,539 ft ↘-2,552 ft ◔3h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Adelboden (Canton of Bern)
The Engstligen Falls, near Adelboden in the Bernese Highlands, consist of two waterfalls, Engstligen Fall I and II, with heights of 97 and 165 m respectively. They are listed in the Swiss inventory of landscapes of national importance.

Walking Schwarenbach - Engstligenalp

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After a night spent in absolute silence, this second stage begins with a pleasant climb to Schwartzgrätli. A fairly exposed section along the Felsenhorn wall will require a little caution, despite the cables and ropes. You will then continue along the Engstlige ridge with the Tschingellochtighorn, with its remarkable relief, in your sights. To conclude the day, you will descend via the Ärtele ridge to Engstligenalp, a superb mountain pasture at the foot of the Wildstrubel.

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↔5.15 mi ↗+1,411 ft ↘-1,404 ft ◔3h 35 ▲Moderate
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This loop allows you to discover vast mountain pastures covered with flowers in season, admire the larch and other conifers in the woods you pass through, stroll along the shores of Lake Majingsee, and continue on to the rocky outcrop overlooking Leukerbad.

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↔7.22 mi ↗+2,280 ft ↘-2,277 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Leukerbad (Valais)
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Walking Leukerbad - Schwarenbach

Visorando Member
Leukerbad - Schwarenbach
↔5.86 mi ↗+4,347 ft ↘-2,149 ft ◔6h 30 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Leukerbad (Valais)
A magnificent ascent along a historic trail linking the cantons of Valais and Bern. From Leukerbad, it is difficult to guess the route that crosses this imposing wall. You will climb the Gemmipass at your own pace (900 m in 3 km) and in complete safety. At the pass and at the Gemmi Lodge, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the Valais Dom, Weisshorn, Matterhorn and Dent Blanche, all over 4,000 metres high. In the evening, you will sleep in a mountain hotel that once welcomed famous personalities such as Jules Verne, Guy de Maupassant, Pablo Picasso and even Lenin.

Walking From Leukerbad to Lenk

Visorando Member
De Leukerbad à Lenk
↔23.86 mi ↗+9,619 ft ↘-10,633 ft ◔4 days ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Leukerbad (Valais)
A superb route starting from the spa resort of Leukerbad (canton of Valais) and ending in Lenk (canton of Bern). You will take the historic Gemmi mule track that connects these two cantons. From Schwarenbach, a former customs post that once welcomed famous personalities, you will gradually descend into the canton of Bern. You will also stop at Alpe d'Engstlige, where you can admire the famous Engstlige waterfalls. The last stage, starting from Adelboden, will take you to Lenk along the Via Alpina.

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