Trüebsee

Trüebsee (also spelled Trübsee) is an alpine lake in the municipality of Wolfenschiessen, canton of Nidwalden, Switzerland. It sits at about 1,764 m above sea level beneath Mount Titlis, high above the resort village of Engelberg, on the Ober Trüebsee pasture. Few mountain lakes in central Switzerland are this easy to reach: a cable car does most of the climbing for you.

How do you get to Trüebsee?

From Engelberg, take the eight-person TITLIS Xpress gondola to the Trübsee mid-station, then walk down to the water. Hiking trails also climb from the valley, for example via the Pfaffenwand. The first aerial cableway on this stretch opened in 1927, starting from Gerschnialp. Parking at the Titlis valley station is paid.

What can you see and do there?

The main attraction is the lakeside circuit: roughly 3.4 km, about 55 minutes at an easy pace, with little effort required. It begins at the Trübsee mountain hotel, passes the zipline and drops to the shore. The path is suitable for strollers, and four fire pits along the way let you grill your own lunch.

Five rowing boats, each seating four, are moored on the lake. Hire costs CHF 10 per hour, paid into a box at the jetty, and availability depends on weather and snow. Children get a large adventure playground themed around smugglers and mule drivers, plus smaller ones near the Alpstübli and Bergrestaurant Trübsee restaurants.

A detour leads to the Stäubi waterfall, fed by meltwater from the Steinberg glacier; the route to its foot is passable with a stroller. Long-distance walkers can pick up a Via Alpina stage here, running from Trübsee across the Jochpass to Engstlenalp in the Bernese Oberland.

When should you visit?

Summer gives you green pastures and snow-free paths. In winter a marked walking trail and a separate snowshoe loop of about 3.4 km are available, and the Hüethütte and Alpstübli serve as refreshment stops. Check lift hours and trail conditions with Titlis Bergbahnen before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to climb to reach Trüebsee? No. The TITLIS Xpress gondola from Engelberg stops at the Trübsee station, and the lake is a short walk away.

How long does the lake circuit take? About an hour. The trail is roughly 3.4 km and easy.

Can you rent a boat? Yes. Five rowing boats cost CHF 10 per hour, subject to weather and snow conditions.

Is it a good trip with children? Yes. The path works for strollers, and there are playgrounds, fire pits and restaurants along the route.