The Melchtal stretches from Kerns between the Sarnersee and Lake Lucerne southwards to the Stöckalp, where a cableway gives access to the invitingly green, high valley of the Melchsee-Frutt. The sunny little village on the shores of the Melchsee has a children’s zoo, play areas, camp-fire sites and various themed footpaths.

Picturesque Melchtal, once a of pilgrimage, is home to the Benedictine Monastery Convent of St. Niklaus von Flüe, named after the hermit popularly known as Bruder Klaus. The huge sports complex in the Melchtal is geared primarily towards group travellers, clubs and schools.

Summer

Situated between the Bernese Oberland holiday destination of Hasliberg and the central Swiss resort of Engelberg, the Melchsee-Frutt is a popular hiking area. The Hasliberg - Melchsee-Frutt - Engelberg mountain trail is a classic and the six-hour, four-lake section from Melchsee-Frutt via Tannalp, Engstlenalp, Jochpass and Trübsee to Engelberg is a particular favourite. Large sections of the walk can be shortened by using the chairlifts and mountain railways.

In summer the Frutt is a fabulous sea of flowers. Keen anglers are not the only visitors to be captivated by the deep blue mountain lakes of the Melchsee and Tannensee, which are teeming with trout. There are also plenty of adventures to be had climbing the imposing Boni rock faces.

Winter

The Melchsee-Frutt winter sports’ regions guarantee snow from altitudes of 1080m to 2255m. This high-lying valley with its sunny winter hiking and cross-country ski trails is flanked by two ski regions: from the Balmeregghorn and the Erzegg (with free-style park) two wide, sunny pistes descend to the valley floor. Facing these is the Bonistock where steeper pistes descend by more than 1000 metres of altitude. The 8-kilometre descent to Stöckalp is a real treat for toboggan enthusiasts. Children can have fun in the Fruttli-Park with its magic carpet and ski carousel.

• In the 15th century, the peacemaker and recluse Niklaus von der Flüe, popularly known as Bruder Klaus, sought seclusion as a hermit in the gorge near Flüeli-Ranft.
  
• The highest covered bridge in Europe: the ‘Hohe Brücke’ between Kerns and Sachseln, is 48 metres long. Built in 1893, it spans the Ranft Gorge near Flüeli at a height of 100 metres.
  
• Nature trail: a 90-minute circular walk on the Bonistock provides an insight into the geological structure of the Melchtal and wonderful views across to the Titlis.

• Classics on the Alp: classical music weeks half-way between heaven and earth on the Melchsee-Frutt (August).
  
• Tannalp Fair and Bonistock Fair: folk festivals with yodelling competitions in the high-lying valley of the Melchsee-Frutt (July and/or August).
  
• Melchsee-Frutt wrestling and alpine festival: wearing drill trousers, the heavy weights in alpine wrestling compete in the sand against the imposing backdrop of the mountains (August).

Public Transport: Ride the Swiss Federal Railroad (SBB) from Lucerne or Interlaken-Brünig to Sarnen, and from Sarnen by postal car to Stöckalp. In Stöckalp, a cable car takes you to Melchsee-Frutt.

By car: Stöckalp is reached by car from Lucerne in 30 minutes. Free parking is available at Stöckalp.

In summer you can drive by car - at certain times - up to Melchsee-Frutt. The mountain road Stöckalp-Melchsee-Frutt can be used from Stöckalp at even hours. A fee is charged at the parking lot on Melchsee-Frutt.
Driving time:
Zürich – Stöckalp 60 min.
Basel – Stöckalp 75 min.
Solothurn – Stöckalp 60 min.
Luzern – Stöckalp 30 min.