Trübsee - the mountain lake at the foot of the Titlis

At Trübsee, there’s a mid-station of the Titlis cable car at an altitude of 1,784 m above sea level. An adventure world has been created here, making the area around Trübsee a popular destination for outings.

8 Highlights at Trübsee

• The Trübsee Adventure offers activities like BagJump, slacklining, Trampoline2Bag, bouncy castles, and a bike pump track.
• In the Titlis SnowX Park Trübsee, you can ride e-snowmobiles.
• A zipline called Trübsee Flyer takes you from the mountain hotel to the lake.
• You can rent Trotti bikes for the ride from Trübsee to Engelberg. For the trip from Jochpass to Trübsee, there’s the Devil Bike.
• You can enjoy stunning views of Titlis, Jochstock, and surrounding mountains.
• Beautiful mountain bike trails with bike transportation and a bike wash station at the valley station of the Titlis cable car attract bikers.
• At the Trübsee slide park, you can enjoy rides with balancers, snow tubes, and toboggans.
• For families, the adventure world Schmuggler & Säumer at Trübsee is worth a day trip.
• The Trübsee Saturday Night event takes place every Saturday between Christmas and Easter.

For families, Trübsee is a favorite destination not just in summer. Throughout the year, a variety of leisure activities are offered.

Located at nearly 1,800 m above sea level, Trübsee is a mountain lake situated on a plateau above Engelberg. Swimming is allowed in the lake, and you’ll find four barbecue spots with firewood available for everyone to use for free. Benches invite you to enjoy the view of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Activities at Trübsee

For kids, there are plenty of exciting options for adventures at Trübsee. Smugglers and porters engage the children with tasks around the lake, while Trübsee Adventure offers sporty activities like jumping on air cushions with or without trampolines or in a bouncy castle. The Trübsee Flyer zipline is a paid attraction that can be used from the age of eight.

The activities at Trübsee are also very diverse in winter, with additional ski and tow lifts making access easier. Most winter attractions are open from December to April.

Some of the most popular activities at Trübsee include:

• Hiking
• Trübsee Adventure
• Trübsee Flyer zipline
• Smugglers & Porters
• Mountain biking, Trotti biking, or Devil biking
• Rowing and kayaking on Trübsee
• Trübsee Flyer zipline
• Trübsee Rutschpark
• Titlis SnowXPark
• Snowshoe hiking and winter hiking

At Trübsee, there are many hiking trails. The range goes from simple and leisurely walks around Engelberg to challenging trekking tours. The longest hiking trail is over 24 km. Glacier tours in the high summer are becoming increasingly difficult due to glacier retreat and should only be done with a mountain guide.

The Trübsee Flyer zipline is also operational in winter. Additionally, a snow slide park will be set up for the winter. The ski slopes around Trübsee are relatively easy to navigate.

Hiking at Lake Trübsee

At Lake Trübsee you will find very easy hiking trails for walks as well as challenging mountain tours.

Walk around Lake Trübsee (all year round)

Easy to walk with a stroller is a walk around the Trübsee. You need one hour, you don't have to cope with altitude difference. On the way there are 4 fireplaces for your use.

• Length: 3.2 km
• Duration: 1:00 hrs.
• Altitude difference: 28

Circular trail from Lake Trübsee to the Stäubi waterfall

The summery circular trail starts at the playground Trübsee and takes about 50 min. The waterfall Stäubli comes out of the Steinberg glacier. Benches are available here. You can take a stroller to the foot of the waterfall (15 min). After that there are about 120 meters of altitude to climb.

4 Lakes Hike

Trübsee - Jochpass - Engstlenalp - Tannalp - Melchsee-Frutt

With the chairlift Jochpass you save some altitude meters from Trübsee. On the way you will find numerous fireplaces. For the way back you take the cable car from Melchsee-Frutt to Stöckalp and the post bus to Sarnen. Take the train back to Engelberg.

• Duration: 4:00 hrs.
• Altitude difference: 120
• Season: June to October

Trübsee Adventure

At the middle station of the Achter gondola, the Trübsee Adventure takes place in summer (until about mid-October) with activities such as BagJump, Slackline. Trampoline2Bag, bouncy castle and Bike Pump Track. Guides are available.

At the BagJump Tower, visitors jump onto a jump cushion that is 1.50 m thick. There is a minimum age requirement for the three jump heights:

• three meters (from 6 years)
• four meters (from 8 years)
• six meters (from 14 years)

In case of strong wind or if the cushion is wet, the facility will be closed.

Next to the BagJump Tower is the Trampoline2Bag. Directly from one of the two springy trampolines visitors from 6 years jump into the air cushion.

The six-meter long slackline is used to train balance, coordination and concentration. The slackline is placed 50 cm above protective mats. The slackline is located on the terrace of the Berghotel Trübsee.

Also on this terrace is an alpine hut bouncy castle. The Rotair bouncy castle on the terrace in front of Lago Torbido is based on a Rotair cabin.

A pumptrack as a compact, closed circuit with small waves and steep wall curves serves to train coordination and balance with the mountain bike.

The Trübsee Adventure is open daily from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm from June to October, weather permitting. On weekends it is open from 11:00 am. Participation is free of charge.

Zipline Trübsee Flyer

The Zipline Trübsee Flyer takes harnessed persons from the Berghotel Trübsee over a length of 500 meters to the lake. In the process, the steel cable overcomes 40 meters of descent. Two steel cables are located next to each other, so that a flight of two is possible side by side. The starting point is about 20m above the mountain hotel Trübsee. The finish is right next to the playground at Trübsee.

The facility is open from about the beginning of July to mid-October. The minimum age is 8 years. Minimum height and weight are set at 1.20 m and 30 kg. Maximum height and weight are set at 2.10 m and 125 kg.

Smugglers & Muleteers around Lake Trübsee

The Smugglers & Muleteers experience at Lake Trübsee includes a smugglers' playground, a muleteers' camp with barbecue area and riddles to be solved on the way around Lake Trübsee.

Children discover the treasures hidden by the smuggler Engelbert and his mule Schmuggli on the adventure trail around the lake.

• Length: 3.4 km
• Duration: 1:00 hrs.
• Altitude difference: 37

The path is also passable with baby carriages.

At the valley station or at the station Trübsee the children get a smuggler's card. At each station around the lake the children find an object with letters. These letters have to be punched into the smuggler's card with a pair of pliers. At the end there is a solution word. If it is correct, the child gets a smuggler prize.

The Smugglers & Muleteers Adventure World is open from May to October.

Mountain Biking at Trübsee

At Trübsee, there are mountain biking routes available with varying levels of difficulty. The mountain bike can be transported using the cable cars. The trails are open for riding from June to October.

Jochpass Trail (easy)

This is a flow trail from Jochpass to Trübsee, suitable for both experienced bikers and beginners, as the sections can be tackled at different speeds.

• 4.5 km
• 20 min
• 440 m vertical descent

Engelberg - Untertrübsee - Trübsee Trail (challenging)

The path leads steadily uphill through the forest along the paved Gerschnistrasse to the Untertrübsee hut. The subsequent gravel path requires good fitness and biking skills. The journey continues along a paved road on the right shore of Trübsee to the end of the tour.

• 13 km
• 3 hours
• 830 m vertical ascent and descent

Trudy Trail from Jochpass to Trübsee (challenging)

This route features no major drops or jumps, but includes several difficult passages, obstacles, and steep curves. Perfect for downhill enthusiasts.

• 1 km
• 210 m vertical descent

4 Lakes Tour: Engelberg - Trübsee - Jochpass - Engstlenalp - Tannalp - Melchsee-Frutt (challenging)

Taking the Titlis XPress, you can bike all the way to Trübsee. The tour starts here and initially goes uphill to Jochpass. From there, it continues over Engstlenalp and Tannalp to Melchsee-Frutt. After this point, it's a downhill ride all the way to Sarnen.

• 32 km
• 920 m vertical descent

On a flow trail, it is possible to ride smoothly (English: flow) throughout the entire route. In downhill biking, the emphasis is on riding downhill as quickly as possible.

At the Titlis valley station, there’s a bike washing station. The Jochpass valley station has a hose vending machine with different bike tube sizes, as well as a tool and air station available.

Rent a Trotti Bike or Devil Bike

A Trotti bike is a vehicle that combines features of a bike and a scooter. Riders stand upright on a low, wide footboard, with wheels the size and tread of a bike.

Kids aged 10 and taller than 1.25 m can ride their own Trotti bike, while smaller kids ride in front with their parents. Helmets are provided with the rental.

The Trotti bikes can be rented at the Gerschnialp intermediate station or the restaurant at Untertrübsee and must be returned to the valley station of the TITLIS cable cars after the ride. The ride downhill is 3.5 km long and covers 260 m of vertical descent. Rentals are not available in wet weather (slip hazard).

A more thrilling ride is offered by the Devil Bike, also known as the Monster Bike. It features particularly wide tires and handles rough terrain with ease. The route from Jochpass to Trübsee gains 410 m in elevation and takes about 15 min. It is recommended for those aged 12 and older.

Rowing and Kayaking on Trübsee

There are six rowing boats at Trübsee, each accommodating four people. Kayak trips are available as guided tours, always with a view of Titlis.

The rowing boats can be used daily from June to October, weather permitting. The usage of the rowing boats isn't supervised by an attendant. Users place their money in a cash box located at the pier. Six rowing boats with space for four people each are available. Life jackets are provided in sufficient numbers on the boat.

Guided kayak trips can be booked at the Trübsee boathouse. They take place during good weather in July and August. Remember to bring a towel, a warm jacket, sportswear, and a change of clothes. The kayak trips last about 1.5 hours and require a minimum of six participants. It’s recommended to make a reservation in advance.

Skiing and Snowboarding at Trübsee

On the slopes around Untertrübsee, Gerschnialp, and Trübsee, you'll find particularly easy runs for skiing and snowboarding. The slope from Jochpass to Trübsee is a bit more challenging.

sledging south of Trübsee

A 3.5 km long sledging run descends over 250 meters in altitude. It starts at Gerschnialp, winds through the snowy Gerschni forest, and ends in Engelberg.

You can take the funicular from the Titlis valley station to Gerschnialp to reach the sledging run. It runs every half hour and takes about four minutes. If you don’t have a sledge, you can rent one at the valley station down below.

Every Friday and Saturday evening, night sledging takes place from 19:30 to 21:30. At the Titlis valley station, you can enjoy a Raclette after 20:00 to wrap up your evening. Season or day tickets are not valid for night sledging.

The sledging run is open from around Christmas until the beginning of March, weather permitting. Dogs are not allowed on the sledging run.

Trübsee Slide Park

You can ride the Trübsee Slide Park with a Balancer, Snowtube, or Zipfelbob. It starts right at the Trübsee cable car station and is free of charge.

A Balancer is a mix between a ski and a seat, similar to a sled. A Zipfelbob can be used without any prior training, even by little kids from around three years old. The mini-bob has special grooves on its otherwise smooth underside.

This feature, along with its low center of gravity, keeps the Zipfelbob on track. It won’t tip over and has a handle that acts as a brake. During the ride, you can also use it to steer, assisted by your feet.

When snow tubing, you slide down the slope on a tire. You can go forward, backward, sitting, or lying down—anything goes.

An enclosed conveyor belt takes you back up quickly and comfortably with your tire, Zipfelbob, or Balancer. The Slide Park is open daily from December to April.

Titlis SnowXPark Trübsee

The Titlis SnowXPark is like a kart track. You can ride e-snowmobiles on various circuits.

The Titlis SnowXPark is located near the Trübsee Mountain Hotel and close to the Slide Park. There are six e-snowmobiles on each circuit at the same time. The longest track is about one kilometer long. When jetting around tight corners, you’ll need to use your whole body.

The e-snowmobiles have a Junior Mode. In this mode, kids aged 12 and up can ride.

The snowmobile rental includes battery changes and an instruction session. Additionally, you can rent an action camera for a fee to film your ride. There are various mounts for both the vehicle and the helmet, so you can capture the ride from different angles. The SD card with the raw footage is included in the price. SnowXrace is a sensor that lets you measure your fastest lap time. This service also comes at an additional cost.

Swiss Activities Offer:

• Snowmobiling at Titlis Trübsee

Snowshoeing

For snowshoeing, for example, this circular trail is suitable:

Obertrübsee Trail

You walk from Berghotel Trübsee in the direction of Engelberg. The trail leads next to the slide park down to the lake until you reach the hut. Afterwards the trail goes up to the right in the direction of Chrützhubel. After a moraine ridge you reach a viewpoint.

Continue hiking to the mountain station Älplerseil to enjoy the deep view. Afterwards you go back to the starting point.

• 5.5 km
• 2:00 hrs.
• 252 vertical meters

Events and activities at Lake Trübsee

Some events take place regularly at Lake Trübsee. These include, for example, the Sunday BBQ brunches at the Berghotel Trübsee.

Trübsee Saturday Night

On Lake Trübsee, the regular Trübsee Saturday Night event is already legendary. It takes place every Saturday evening between Christmas and Easter. The cable cars between Engelberg and Trübsee then travel in convoy, always 12 gondolas in a row. The Trübsee slide park opens, as does the Lago Torbido restaurant, the Fonduestübli and the Trübsee Bar.

Snowshoeing, snow tubing and winter hiking are possible. Italian dishes are served in the Lago Torbido restaurant, and fondue and raclette are available in the Fonduestübli. The Trübsee Bar is also open.

Evening rides are free for children up to 15 years. Reductions such as SBB Halbtax/GA are not accepted. Anyone who has a ski day pass for that day, a season pass or a snow pass for Central Switzerland rides for free.

Mountain railroads at the Trübsee

A funicular runs from Engelberg to Gerschnialp. Via Gerschnialp and Trübsee gondola and cable cars float up to the Stand station. To get to the Jochpass you take a chair lift.

Overview of the mountain railroads at Trübsee

lift type/name	valley station	altitude (m a.s.l.)	mountain station	altitude (m a.s.l.)	distance (m)
8-seater gondola lift TITLIS Xpress	Engelberg	1003	Trübsee	1784	2685
8-seater gondola lift TITLIS Xpress	Trübsee	1784	booth	2428	1996
8-seater cable car Älplerseil	Untertrübsee	1266	Trübsee	1715	1240
Standseilbahn	Engelberg	1003	Gerschnialp	1262	512
4-seater chairlift	Trübsee	1780	Hopper	1806	810
4-seater chairlift	Trübsee (Hopper)	1765	Jochpass	2207	1464

Information on the mountain railroads at Trübsee

The most modern and important cable car between Engelberg and Titlis is Titlis Express. It was built in 2015 and has an intermediate station at Trübsee.

The Standseilbahn Engelberg to Gerschnialp has been in existence since 1913, climbing 212 meters in altitude to the Gerschnialp mountain station. It operates daily as part of the public transport system. The journey takes about four minutes. The train runs every half hour.

The Luftseilbahn Älplerseil runs daily in summer and winter between Untertrübsee and Trübsee between 8 am and 6 pm on call. It is closed in spring and autumn. In summer, the eight-cabin cable car can be reached from Engelberg on foot, by bike and also by car. In the winter season, the cable car is located on the ski slope between Trübsee and Engelberg.

The chair lifts Trübsee-Hopper and Trübsee-Jochpass lead in two sections to the Jochpass. The 78-section Gerschnialp-Trübsee aerial cableway (Angel Eyes) has been decommissioned.

Mountain restaurants at Lake Trübsee

Lake Trübsee is dominated by the Berghotel Trübsee, which opens additional restaurants in winter.

Alpstübli at Lake Trübsee

The Alpstübli is located directly on Lake Trübsee and has a large sun terrace. In addition to Swiss specialties, homemade cakes are also served here. The Alpstübli is only open in summer. During the rest of the year it is generally closed. In winter, however, homemade cheese fondue is served in the Chässtübli.

Trübsee Grill Hut

The Grillhütte serves charcoal-grilled specialties such as truffle fries, venison cheese bratwurst and pulled pork burgers. Open in fine weather from June.

Mountain Hotel Trübsee

Berghotel Trübsee's Trübsee Self-Service is located directly on the ski slopes and hiking trails and offers buffets with a large sun terrace. It is open daily. The Trübsee Bar Lounge and the Italian Restaurant Lago Torbido are also part of Berghotel Trübsee and remain closed outside the winter season. In winter they are open daily. In the first three weeks of December, the Trübsee Bar Lounge opens only on weekends.

Getting to Trübsee

You can reach Trübsee via the 8-person Titlis Xpress gondola. There are three parking spots available at the valley station. The parking fee is 5 CHF per day.

by car

Driving from Zurich via Lucerne takes about an hour and ten minutes using the A4, A14, and A2 highways. You leave the motorway at the exit for Stans. The remaining journey to Engelberg is along the cantonal road.

by public transport

The journey to Engelberg can be made with the Zentralbahn from Lucerne in about 43 minutes. From Zurich, it takes about an hour longer by train. A nice option is to combine a boat and a bus or train.

The boat from Lucerne goes to Beckenried. From there, bus 311 takes you to Stans. From Stans, there are both trains and buses to the Engelberg train station. The free shuttle bus Dorf-Express runs between Engelberg train station and the Titlis valley station. The walk takes about ten minutes.

Six additional bus lines offer free rides for passengers in Engelberg to the train station and to the valley stations of the mountain lifts.

At the Trübsee a very popular advention center has been created, which attracts especially families and young people.