FKT: Patrick Sanan - Obwaldner Höhenweg Loop (Switzerland) - 2020-09-13

I completed a counter-clockwise loop of the Obwaldner Höhenweg, in a little over a full day, in gorgeous early fall conditions in the very heart of Switzerland. This was my second attempt on the route, after an aborted effort three weeks prior.

I started at 8:07 am on Saturday morning, from the Brünig-Hasliberg train station. I arrived in Alpnach a little before 8 pm. I finished at 10:42 on Sunday morning back at the start point.

This was a solo, self-supported trip. I carried a running backpack with food and water (2.5 L capacity). I stopped to buy food/drink at the Tutti Frutt grocery store in Frutt, to buy a Coke at the Stanserhorn self-service restaurant, to buy dinner at the McOne restaurant at the Alpnach train station, and to buy candy bars at the vending machine there.  Water was available from many fountains and troughs, but there were portions without much water directly on the trail, for at least 2-3 hours at a time.

The route is well-marked, but nonetheless on my first attempt I made several wrong turns, causing short backtracks. This time, the only places I got confused were where the trail markers and trail map differed, due to newer construction and minor re-routing, and the only time I had to backtrack was when I forgot my poles.

I had a fantastic time on this route, and hope others will find it worthwhile to attempt!

For a longer account, I have written a trip report: https://patricksanan.com/obwaldner-hohenweg-loop.html