Engelberg

Engelberg is a municipality in central Switzerland situated beside the 3,238-meter (10,623 ft) Titlis peak and spreading across multiple valleys. Located at approximately 1,015 meters (3,330 ft) elevation, the settlement is ringed by alpine summits that shape its appearance.

Benedictine monks established an abbey here in 1122, which laid the foundation for settlement in this Alpine region. The monastery shaped the area's development over centuries, becoming the center around which the modern community grew.

The Alpabzug tradition is celebrated here each year when herders guide their cattle down from mountain pastures, marking the end of summer grazing and connecting the community to its farming roots. This celebration shows how daily life remains tied to the rhythm of the mountains and pastoral seasons.

The village is easily reached by mountain railway from Lucerne and serves as a good gateway for hiking and alpine activities. Free bus services connect visitors between different parts of the municipality and mountain destinations during summer months.

The monastery complex houses a working cheese factory where visitors can watch traditional Swiss cheese being made year-round using long-established methods. This production offers a glimpse into artisanal practices carried forward across generations.

Location: Canton of Obwalden

Elevation above the sea: 1,015 m

Shares border with: Attinghausen, Gadmen, Innertkirchen, Isenthal, Wolfenschiessen, Wassen

Website: http://gde-engelberg.ch

GPS coordinates: 46.82056,8.40278

Latest update: December 14, 2025 21:01