With a roar in the ear

The term "Aaschlucht" already suggests it:

The hike from Engelberg to Grafenort offers a lot: water, rocks, forest, a lot of untouched nature and thus impressions that are unparalleled.

The hike through the "Aaschlucht" is one of my favourite hikes. Why? The path that leads us from Engelberg to Grafenort is more impressive than almost any other. For about 2.5 hours you accompany the imposing Engelberger Aa down into the valley. Sometimes the stream is calmer, sometimes wilder. What never goes away: the murmur in your ear, which has a very calming effect.

Aaschlucht

Bridges cross the Engelberger Aa
The large boulders are also impressive, hinting at the power of nature and showing the erosion of thousands of years. In the Aschlucht gorge I feel far away from civilisation - nature is overgrown and seems untouched. The various (suspension) bridges add to the attractiveness of the trail. The hike is especially recommended on hot days, as almost all sections of the trail are in the shade.

Path destroyed by storms
Every time I hike through the Aaschlucht, I think back to 2005, when the big storm cut Engelberg off from the outside world and destroyed not only the access road but also part of the former Aaschlucht hiking trail. I can only imagine the force and power of the water and debris at that time. It was only thanks to many volunteers and countless hours of hard work that the path could be restored - or even upgraded.

Various picnic spots
All along the trail, various picnic spots invite you to linger. I have two favourites: "Toni's Balm" is a covered picnic area lovingly set up by a private individual. There is nothing lacking - pans and dishes are available, and for a small amount of money you can buy beer and even ketchup. There is a swing and a seesaw for the children. 
The picnic area just before Arnibrügg is also perfectly set up with a large table, a wooden area and a Hollywood swing. The little stream that crosses the path here is reason enough for our children to want to stay forever. But that's okay, because I also like to stay a little longer on this beautiful spot of earth and listen to the murmur of the Engelberger Aa. 

Author

Text: Andrea Hurschler
Andrea Hurschler has completed the hike through the Aaschlucht gorge countless times. Even though she has always liked the wild and romantic path, she experiences the Aaschlucht from a completely different perspective with her children - she counts the bridges (10 of them), collects wild strawberries (there are lots of them!) and watches the butterflies with enthusiasm (there are also countless of them).

Pictures: Engelberg- Titlis Tourismus AG