Easy two days in Urner Alpen, a round trip around Walenstöcke by Engelberg. From Bannalp over Walenpfad and Brunni to Rugghubelhütte and next day over Rot Grätli back. June 2014.

This was a classical weekend tour in the over-civilized rural alpine area where the (dominantly) urban Swiss hikers just make their fresh air weekend trips. I had a feeling of smelling the cows all the time, even when we reached the overcrowded (this time by humans) Brunni area. But then we climbed up the crowds, and there was a sterile, but still liveable Rugghubelhütte and the next day, a route with a truly alpine feeling over the still snowed pass of Rot Grätli. But anyway, the smell of cow urine reappeared just an hour or two behind Rot Grätli and followed us all the way down to Bannalp. Now I understand why the famous Swiss lakes die of over-dunging. Muuuuu!!!

• Small pictures gallery Rot Grätli on pastvoyages.jankowski.org.
• Larger pictures: Gallery (89 images) Bannalp :: Urnerstaffel guest houseBannalp :: a resident hereBannalp :: Bannalpbach by UrnerstaffelBannalp :: the Bannalpsee, Walenpfad aheadBannalp :: heading along the WalenpfadBannalp :: looking back from the begin of WalenpfadOberfeld :: looking back East :: Schonegg pass in the middle, between Chaiserstuel and RuchstockOberfeld :: Schinberg viewOberfeld :: the goats pathOver Oberfeld :: Bannalp surroundingsWalenpfad :: oversecured path :: the valley of Engelberger Aa belowWalenpfad :: the traverse to Walegg aheadWalenpfad :: south of WalenalpWalenalp :: Walenstöcke aboveWalenalp :: a nice tableSouth of Walenalp :: towards BrunniWalenpfad :: Ober StaffelbergWalenpfad :: approaching RosenboldEast of Brunni :: the view towards PlanggenEast of Brunni :: local residentsEast of Brunni :: GemsispilReaching PlanggenBy Planggen :: Engelberg belowBy Planggen :: a devilish rockPlanggen :: early summer flowersPlanggenPlanggen :: krasRughubbelhütte reachedRughubbelhütte :: emergency phone in the winter roomRughubbelhütte :: evening viewRughubbelhütte :: is it time to bed?Rughubbelhütte :: morning view :: Engelberg belowRughubbelhütte :: the terraceRughubbelhütte :: the terraceTowards Rot Grätli :: snowlands aheadHeading to Rot Grätli :: Engelberger Rotstock und Lücke, WissigstockHeading to Rot Grätli :: just two of usHeading to Rot Grätli :: Berner Alpen appear above the Rughubbelhütte surroundingsHeading to Rot Grätli :: the Titlis top appears above ridges leading toards HahnenHeading to Rot Grätli :: Rot Grätli, Engelberger Rotstock, Engelberger LückeHeading to Rot Grätli :: Mountains West of EngelbergHeading to Rot Grätli :: Berner Alpen appear above Geisbberge west of EngelbergHeading to Rot GrätliBelow Rot Grätli :: snow dunesBelow Rot Grätli :: on the trail :: The Titlis top behindBelow Rot Grätli :: looking WestBelow Rot Grätli :: on the snowy trailRot Grätli :: looking backRot Grätli :: looking aheadRot Grätli :: Engelberger Rotstock behindRot GrätliRot Grätli :: looking North :: Brisen and Operalper GratRot Grätli :: Engelberger Rotstock behindRot Grätli :: the Titlis top zoomedRot Grätli :: the pass... infrastructure...Leaving Rot GrätliLeaving Rot Grätli :: rocks West of the passLeaving Rot Grätli :: Engelberger RotstockLeaving Rot GrätliLeaving Rot Grätli :: a truly mixed party approaching from the northSnows in the valley North of rot GrätliSnows in the valley North of rot GrätliLooking back towards Rot Grätli from the NorthLeaving Engelberger Egg towards Bannalper SchoneggThe valley below the RuchstockThe valley below the Ruchstock :: Uri Rotstock appears on the EastThe valley below the Ruchstock :: Uri Rotstock viewEngelberger Egg :: Engelberger RotstockEngelberger Egg :: Chaiserstuel in sightBetween Engelberger Egg and Bannalper Schonegg :: a surprisinly steep traverseTowards Bannalper SchoneggTowards Bannalper Schonegg :: just another snowy traverseApproaching Bannalper SchoneggBannalper SchoneggBannalper Schonegg :: looking East towards both Uri and Engelberger RotstockBannalper Schonegg :: Chaiserstuel behindBannalper Schonegg :: the view of Uri RotstockBannalper Schonegg :: downto BannalpseeBannalper Schonegg :: the valley below the Engelberger RotstockBannalper Schonegg :: scree and snowDescending Bannalper Schonegg :: Bannalpsee getting nearerDescending Bannalper SchoneggDescending Bannalper SchoneggBannalp :: fenced SwitzerlandBannalpBannalpBannalp :: approaching ChrüzhütteLooking back to Wallenstöcke and Titlis from well below
• Rot Grätli 2559m on the SchweizMobil map.