This trail offers a little bit of everything, from dramatic ridges to rocky landscapes and rolling grassy hills. It's perfect for those looking for a moderate hike near Lucerne with fantastic mountain views.

Some of the trail is near cliffs without a barrier. If you have small children, better to do the Frutttliweg kids trail around the first lake.

Trail info

The Bonistock trail is a loop, starting and ending at the Stöckalp-Melchsee cable car - Stöckalp, 6067 Melchtal (46°48'11.8"N 8°16'45.8"E). Bus stop: Stöckalp

Trail: Moderate • 4h • 10 km • 310m up, 300m down
See trail map.

Open: mid June to mid October

You start by hiking up to Bonistock, where you'll find a restaurant.

Tip: You can skip this first climb by riding another cable car from Distelboden to Bonistock, which we did when our kids were younger. But it only runs every 30 mins and the ticket is more expensive.

Then along the dramatic ridge with views down to the lakes, a rocky path near the cliff edges but not particularly exposed. Then you descend through alpine meadows to the Tannensee lake, where you join an easy flat walking path along the lakeshore. Lastly through more meadows with cows until you reach the Melchsee-Frutt village and cable car.

• Learn more in our Bonistock article