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Hard Hiking Trails in Nidwalden

The directory currently contains 10 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Nidwalden. Their average mapped distance is 19.4 km and average recorded ascent is 791 m (2,595 ft); the longest route in the set is 30.4 km.

This subset represents 10% of the 98 quality-checked routes in Nidwalden. Its average distance is 19.4 km, compared with 3.5 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 791 m (2,595 ft), versus 194 m (636 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.

This set contains routes rated hard or expert from their available distance and elevation measurements. Within this set, 0 routes (0%) are rated easy, 10 (100%) are rated hard or expert, and 0 (0%) are recorded as loops. Ratings are computed from available distance and elevation data and do not establish current terrain or access.

Data refreshed September 2026

Choose by the details

How do these routes differ?

A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.

Shortest mapped distance in this sample

16.6 km

Trans Swiss Trail

Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

381 m

ViaJacobi

6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.

Return logistics

0 recorded loops

Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.

Plan the return journey →

Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.

Trails

Hard

Trans Swiss Trail

Nidwalden · Switzerland

Distance
20.5 km
/ 12.7 mi
Elevation gain
419 m
Typical duration
5 hr 3 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Trans Swiss Trail

Nidwalden · Switzerland

Distance
16.6 km
/ 10.3 mi
Elevation gain
393 m
Typical duration
4 hr 5 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

ViaJacobi

Nidwalden · Switzerland

Distance
30.4 km
/ 18.9 mi
Elevation gain
732 m
Typical duration
7 hr 54 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

ViaJacobi

Nidwalden · Switzerland

Distance
16.6 km
/ 10.3 mi
Elevation gain
381 m
Typical duration
4 hr 5 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

ViaUrschweiz

Nidwalden · Switzerland

Distance
19.6 km
/ 12.2 mi
Elevation gain
692 m
Typical duration
5 hr 16 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Nidwaldner Zentrumsweg

Nidwalden · Switzerland

Distance
19.8 km
/ 12.3 mi
Elevation gain
1,338 m
Typical duration
6 hr 17 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Expert

Benediktusweg

Nidwalden · Switzerland

Distance
21.3 km
/ 13.2 mi
Elevation gain
1,897 m
Typical duration
7 hr 28 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Waldstätterweg - Etappe 5

Nidwalden · Switzerland

Distance
15.4 km
/ 9.6 mi
Elevation gain
561 m
Typical duration
4 hr 4 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Waldstätterweg - Etappe 7

Nidwalden · Switzerland

Distance
13.4 km
/ 8.3 mi
Elevation gain
818 m
Typical duration
4 hr 1 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Bruder-Klausen-Weg

Nidwalden · Switzerland

Distance
20.5 km
/ 12.7 mi
Elevation gain
681 m
Typical duration
5 hr 27 min
  • Waymarked route

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Trans Swiss TrailNidwalden20.5 km419 m5 hr 3 minHardApril to October
Trans Swiss TrailNidwalden16.6 km393 m4 hr 5 minHardApril to October
ViaJacobiNidwalden30.4 km732 m7 hr 54 minHardApril to October
ViaJacobiNidwalden16.6 km381 m4 hr 5 minHardApril to October
ViaUrschweizNidwalden19.6 km692 m5 hr 16 minHardJune to October
Nidwaldner ZentrumswegNidwalden19.8 km1,338 m6 hr 17 minHardJune to October
BenediktuswegNidwalden21.3 km1,897 m7 hr 28 minExpertJune to October
Waldstätterweg - Etappe 5Nidwalden15.4 km561 m4 hr 4 minHardApril to October
Waldstätterweg - Etappe 7Nidwalden13.4 km818 m4 hr 1 minHardApril to October
Bruder-Klausen-WegNidwalden20.5 km681 m5 hr 27 minHardApril to October

Trans Swiss Trail, ViaJacobi, ViaJacobi currently rank highest in this filtered set according to the directory score. Open an individual route to inspect its mapped line, elevation profile, data source and planning caveats. Check live access, conditions and local rules with an official source before travelling.

Frequently asked questions

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Choosing a route

How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label

Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.

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Understanding the map

Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb

Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.

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Planning your day

Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace

Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.

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