Bannalpsee is a beautiful mountain reservoir crystal-clear waters and stunning mountain views. It's easy to reach with a cable car and short hike.

Hike: Easy • 1 h • 3.5 km • 20m up, 140m down • see trail map

Location: Fell-Chrüzhütte cable car – Fell 3, 6387 Oberrickenbach

Open: mid May thru October

Conditions: www.bannalp.ch • webcam • weather

Since the hike is so easy and short, it's a great choice for non-hikers. This area is really a "locals only" mountain, so usually pretty quiet except on sunny weekends.

The trail is accessed by the Fell-Chrüzhütte cable car. The trail is a wide dirt path, winding its way through alpine meadows down to the water.

At the lakeshore, there's a nice picnic area with picnic tables and wood to use in the fire pits. Swimming is allowed, but it's very cold.

The hike ends at the top of the second cable car (Fellboden-Bannalpsee). From the bottom of that cable car, it’s a short walk to the parking and bus stop.

➡️ Learn more about Bannalpsee Lake Trail

💡TIP: With children, you may prefer to do the theme trail, which has a few activities along the trail. It follows a different path to get to the lake. See theme trail details.

How to get there

By car:

Drive to the small village Fell and keep driving to almost the end of the road. Park in the small lot next to the first cable car you see, Fell-Chrüzhütte (46°53’00.0″N 8°25’14.4″E). From Lucerne, about 30 min drive.

By public transport:

Take a train to Wolfenschiessen, then a bus to Oberrickenbach, Talstat. LFCH. The cable car station is adjacent to the bus stop. From Lucerne, about 50 mins.

Tickets

You'll need a return ticket for the cable car. See current prices. No discount for travel passes, but free with Lucerne Tell Pass.