K2 Car-free possible

Brunnihütte, top station, OW

Klettersteig Brunnistöckli

Brunnistöckli's via ferrata is a short K2 route well suited to beginners, offering exposure without excessive difficulty or length.

Image: Fabian Lippuner

Difficulty

Moderate via ferrata

Current status

Seasonally open

Today falls within the published opening season

Checked 2 h ago

Total time

1 h

Approach + via ferrata + descent

Route description Brunnistöckli's via ferrata is a short K2 route well suited to beginners, offering exposure without excessive difficulty or length. It features two bridges, including an 8-metre three-cable span, and finishes along the summit ridge to Schonegg. A steeper connecting variant, Zittergrat, climbs vertical walls before joining the main route near the suspension bridge, appealing to those confident clipping karabiners on steep ground.

Brunnistöckli's via ferrata is a short K2 route well suited to beginners, offering exposure without excessive difficulty or length. It features two bridges, including an 8-metre three-cable span, and finishes along the summit ridge to Schonegg. A steeper connecting variant, Zittergrat, climbs vertical walls before joining the main route near the suspension bridge, appealing to those confident clipping karabiners on steep ground.

Route map

Download GPX

Annotated route info/map available from sac-cas.ch.

Route Info/Map

Start: 46.84116, 8.41164
Finish: 46.84188, 8.41441
Parking: -

Approach / VF / Descent

Segment timings and vertical stats from the current VFOS dataset.

Total: 1 h

Approach

Access

Duration: 10 min
Distance: 505 m
Ascent: 60 m
Descent: -
Elevation: -

From Brunnihütte, either head briefly toward Rugghubelhütte then turn left to reach the ridge start of the Brunnistöckli ferrata, or from the chairlift top station walk past Brunnihütte, skirt right of the Härzliseeli, and cross scree to the Zittergrat start at about 1890 m.

Via ferrata

Duration: 30 min
Distance: 140 m
Ascent: 100 m
Descent: -
Elevation: 2,030 m

Climb the ridge using numerous iron rungs, then round a corner to cross an 8-metre three-cable bridge. Beyond it, ascend steep but well-protected rock to an outcrop marked with a cross, then cross a long, gently rising suspension bridge to reach the Brunnistöckli summit ridge (ca. 2030 m). Follow the ridge to the route's end at Schonegg. Zittergrat climbers instead tackle vertical walls, including a layaway traverse, before merging with the main route near the suspension bridge.

Descent

Exit

Duration: 20 min
Distance: 687 m
Ascent: -
Descent: 180 m
Elevation: -

From the ferrata's end, follow the white-blue-white marked trail westward back down to Brunnihütte.

Total duration: 1 h
Total distance: 829 m
Total ascent: 160 m
Total descent: -

Escape points

No escape point details are recorded yet.

Opening season

Typical published season

Source

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Weather-dependent approximate dates.

Transport

Plan around the trailhead, parking, and public transport links.

Last lift down

Check operator

SBB to Brunni (Engelberg) SBB from Brunni (Engelberg) Navigate to start point

Cable car

Brunni (Engelberg)

For further information about the operating times of the cable car Engelberg–Ristis–Brunnihütte: http://www.brunni.ch/en/current-information/operating-times/

Coordinates: 46.84125, 8.41147

Navigate Timetable

Route feel

VFOS editorial ratings on a 1-5 scale.

Ratings -

Variety

How much the route changes in movement and terrain.

- -

Complexity

Route-finding and technical problem-solving beyond pure grade.

- -

Beauty

Scenery, setting, and overall aesthetic quality.

- -

Exposure

Airiness and exposure independent of technical difficulty.

- -

Sustained effort

How continuous or relentless the physical effort feels.

- -

Crux tags

No crux tags are recorded yet.

SAC-CAS route profile

Source ratings on the SAC-CAS 1-4 scale.

Official source

Mountain experience: 1/4
Power: 1/4
Endurance: 1/4
Psyche: 2/4

Photos

9 source photos

Three-cable bridge and suspension bridge.© Fabian Lippuner

Father and son on the three-cable bridge.© Eugen E. und Hildegard Hüsler

Book, cash register and Hahnen.© Fabian Lippuner

Finish: look down to Brunni, Ristis and Engelberg.© Fabian Lippuner

Overview Brunni via ferratas.© Fabian Lippuner

Safety notes

Check current local information before setting off.

Rega 1414

Emergency

In Switzerland, call Rega on 1414 for mountain rescue. European emergency number: 112.

Mobile signal

Cell coverage can be patchy in gorges, valleys, and behind ridges. Download route notes and tell someone your plan.

Storms

Avoid thunderstorms and wet rock. Via ferrata cables can become hazardous quickly in poor weather.

Sources & data Attribution, source priority, and field-review status for this route.

Referenced sources

Opening season · Engelberg Mountain Guide
https://www.engelbergmountainguide.ch/en/summer/via-ferrata/opening-times/

Official

Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Opening-season source retained for status provenance.
SAC-CAS approach
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/brunnistoeckli-7438/berg-und-alpinwandern/zustieg-klettersteig-brunnistoeckli-und-zittergrat-1696/

Official

Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.
SAC-CAS return
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/brunnistoeckli-7438/berg-und-alpinwandern/abstieg-klettersteig-brunnistoeckli-und-zittergrat-1698/

Official

Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.
SAC-CAS via ferrata
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/brunnistoeckli-7438/klettersteig/klettersteig-brunnistoeckli-738/

Official

Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.

Field review

No contested fields are currently flagged.

At a glance

Location: Brunnihütte, top station, OW
Elevation range: 2,030 m
Car-free possible: Yes

Weather