Ultra-Trails in the Canton of Obwalden

Wedged between Lucerne, Nidwalden and Bern, the canton of Obwalden offers a concentrated dose of the Alps in central Switzerland. The slopes of Pilatus dominate the north of the canton, while the Sarnen valley runs toward Lake Lungern and the Brünig Pass. To the east, the Engelberg enclave lives beneath the glacial mass of the Titlis 🏔️. Between these landmarks, a network of trails links alpine pastures, passes and high-altitude lakes. The many mountain huts serve as natural aid points during long outings.

Preparing an ultra-trail in the canton of Obwalden means enjoying terrain that racks up hours without any effort on your part to find routes. The crossing from Melchsee-Frutt to Engelberg via the Jochpass strings together long high-altitude sections. The wilder ridges of the Glaubenberg offer outings away from the crowds. Mild, starry summer nights invite headlamp runs around Lake Sarnen 🌌. The ideal season runs from July to September, when the high-altitude passages are clear. The rest of the year, low-altitude trails let you keep up your mileage.

The Finishers ultra-trail calendar passes through Obwalden with the RunThrough Trails Engelberg, scheduled for August 20, 2027 ⛰️. On the other side of the ridges, the Eiger Ultra-Trail by UTMB® starts from Grindelwald on July 14, 2027. In Graubünden, the Swiss Irontrail departs from Savognin on June 26, 2027 for a long-haul adventure. Also check out the ultra-trails in Switzerland and the ultra-trails in the canton of Bern.

For centuries, Obwalden held its Landsgemeinde, an open-air assembly where citizens voted by show of hands 🗳️. A tradition that also demanded a good dose of endurance, as debates could last an entire day. Whether it's your first 80 km or a great alpine traverse, your adventure begins in the heart of Switzerland 😉. The ridges of Obwalden are just waiting for you to pass through.