Climb & Fly · Niederrickenbach · Engelbergertal
Musenalp – Muskets – Climb & Fly
Nine pitches lead through the limestone towers of the Musenalp to the subsequent paragliding takeoff. The combination requires not only climbing up to 6a+, but also attention when searching for the starting point.
- Difficulty
- T4 // 6a+ (5c+ obl.)
- Distance / Meter of altitude
- 3 km · ↑ 600 hm / ↓ 0 hm
- Time
- 5–6 hours
- Starting background
- Grass, that's right
- Elevation information
- 490 / 1755 m above sea level.
- Best time
- May–November
- Star exposure
- W–NW
- Material
- 1 × 50 m rope; 13 express loops
Tour map · Musenalp – Mouse Towers
Topos · Musenalp – Mouse towers
Starting point and entrance
The Niederrickenbach Railway takes you to an altitude of around 1150 m. Follow the hiking trail towards Bleikigrat. At the Bleikigraben, you leave the trail and climb up the mountain without any difficulty to the hiking trail.
Route description
The entry point is not easy to find. The route through the Musentürme includes 9 pitches in mostly good limestone. It is rated as mandatory with 6a+ and 5c+. The topo shows the individual pitches and the transition to the starting point.
Takeoff, flight and landing
After the climb, you reach the Musenalp. From the grassy starting point, you glide back down into the valley; do not land directly at the valley station.
Safety and conditions
The Wilderness Zone from 15th December to 30th April must be taken into account. Plan time for the hike at the start. Obligatory means that you must be able to climb this grade freely.
Check the weather, wind, thermals, current airspace, and temporary restrictions before the tour. Ensure start and landing options as well as the return route in case you cannot fly. The maps show the route; local signs and current area information should be checked before the flight.
Briefly answered
Questions about the tour
Where does the Musenalp tour – the Musen Towers – begin?
The Niederrickenbach Railway takes you to an altitude of around 1150 m. Follow the hiking trail towards Bleikigrat. At the Bleikigraben, you leave the trail and climb up the mountain without any difficulty to the hiking trail.
How long is the tour and how much time do I need?
The route is stated as 3 km, 600 hm ascent, 0 hm descent and 5–6 h.
Where can I start and land?
After the climb, you reach the Musenalp. From the grassy starting point, you glide back down into the valley; do not land directly at the valley station.
What dangers are to be considered?
The Wilderness Zone from 15th December to 30th April must be taken into account. Plan time for the hike at the start. Obligatory means that you must be able to climb this grade freely.
Continue planning
Other Hike-and-Fly tours
More photos from the tour
Experience from the Engelberg Valley
The authors
Hike & Fly Guide Central Switzerland
From hiking ascents to alpine climb-and-fly routes: more hiking ideas from Julian Fürsinger, Jonas Käppeli and Dani Perret.
Daniel Perret
Daniel, usually called Dani, is a UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide in Engelberg. As a mountain guide, father of a family and mountain sports enthusiast, he is active in the Engelberg Valley and shares his hiking expertise here.
Jonas Käppeli
Since childhood, Jonas has been traveling in the mountains. Paragliding added another dimension: mountaineering and flying are intertwined for him. When the thermic forecast promises good conditions, he takes to the air.
Julian Fürsinger
Julian searches for secluded corners and terrain for new projects. The paraglider expands his horizons in the mountains – from rock climbing to evening flights. He prefers to travel off the beaten path.
