Has anyone hiked the historic Surenenpass from Attinghausen to Engelberg or from Engelberg to Attinghausen?
I know it will be beautiful, but we’d like to take in the most majestic scenery in the direction of travel.
We thought we‘d try to park and leave our car overnight somewhere in Stans, which is a major transfer point for using public transportation as our shuttle. Anyone know where we can park overnight in Stans?
From Attinghausen:we‘ll hike the 3 hours to stay overnight at the Alp Grat Hut, then hike down (3hrs?) the next morning to the Fürenalp Restaurant for lunch. Afterward we’ll save our knees using the Bahn down to Engelberg and making our way back to our car on transit the system.
From Engelberg: we‘ll reverse the plan up to the hut, but then hike down an alternative path over the Gitchenberg down to Attinghausen.
I've done it from Attinghausen to Engelberg. We took the tram up from Attinghausen to Brüsti and then hiked from there in one day. It seems a little optimistic to make it from Alp Grat to Furenalp in 3 hours but not off by too much. We hiked down via Stäfeli and Alpenrösli instead of taking the lift from Furenalp. The trail is relatively gradual so not too bad on the knees and then you could have some good "Wild" at either Stäfeli or Rösti at Alpenrösli. The tram ride down from Furenalp is pretty impressive though.
I'm not sure about overnight parking in Stans. You could park at the Furenalp valley station (there are a few free spots just outside of the paid parking lot) and then get public transportation from there to Attinghausen.
I think east to west is more interesting, as you get the descent with the Titlis, Spannörter and the other peaks around Engelberg in full view. The views on the descent towards Attinghausen are less spectacular. The pass itself is also easier if you go east to west, as the east side is steeper and technically more difficult than the west.
I used the cable car on the Attinghausen side both times, but would be very interested to hear any reports of what the Gitschenberg route is like.
Stephan_NE has confirmed what I suspected to be true. Unfortunately the rest of the group has already decided to start in Engelberg. We will use the Bahn to Fürenalp then hike to Alp Grat to enjoy an overnight stay. From Alp Grat we will hike to the Gitschenberg and use the Bahn down to Seedorf instead of going down to Attinghausen. From Seedorf it’s only a 3k walk to Flüelen Bahnhof. This route was recommended by the Hut owner with views onto the lake.
We have decided not to drive, but meet conveniently at Konolfingen Bahnhof. The Travel times are about the same using only public transportation.
Who knows, maybe the group will change their minds with this new info.