Engstlensee

Reservoir Alpine lake near Engelberg and Mount Titlis

Engstlensee on Engstlenalp in the Bernese Oberland is a classic alpine hiking destination-marked trails, mountain huts and reflective water framed by nearby peaks attract day‑hikers.

Main image

Engstlensee is an alpine lake in Switzerland set within a mountain basin and valued for its high-mountain scenery. It lies in the Bernese Oberland region where lakes and pastures form a common hiking landscape.

Day hikers frequent the lake for the mountain panorama, walking trails and reflective water views during the summer months. Trails link the lake with nearby alpine pastures and mountain huts used by walkers.

The lake and surrounding alpine pastures have been used traditionally for summer grazing and mountain tourism developed over the 19th and 20th centuries. Local trail networks connect Engstlensee with established hiking routes in the region.

Engstlensee is located in the Swiss highlands of the Bernese Oberland, accessible on foot from valley villages in the surrounding alpine area.

  • Hiking access: A high-alpine mountain lake popular with hikers and often visited on day walks in the surrounding peaks and pastures.
Engstlensee
46.7731, 8.3571

How to Get to Engstlensee #

Access via Rinderalp or nearby trailheads; hikers typically approach from neighboring valleys with marked alpine trails. Nearest villages provide trail maps and seasonal access advice.

Tips for Visiting Engstlensee #

  • Walk the short trail from the hotel area to get different perspectives of the lake and the steep cliffs.
  • Bring a camera with a wide-angle lens - the reflected mountains make striking photographs.
  • If planning to hike, arrange boat shuttles in advance from the valley as some trails are one-way.

Best Time to Visit Engstlensee #

Summer months provide the most comfortable conditions and best trail access; early morning produces the calmest water for reflections.

Summer
Jun-Sep · 10-20°C (50-68°F)
Clear weather and accessible walking trails; lake reflections are often calm in mornings.
Winter
Dec-Mar · -10-5°C (14-41°F)
Frozen lake conditions and snow; the surrounding area becomes a winter wonderland though access can be limited.

Weather & Climate near Engstlensee #

Climate

Engstlensee's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -8°C to 14°C. Abundant rainfall (1516 mm/year), wettest in June, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
-24°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -8°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

35 Poor

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-8° -2°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
8.9h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of -2°C and lows of -8°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-8° -2°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

99 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -7°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

35 Poor

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-7°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

111 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (128 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

30 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-4°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

128 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
13.4h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (138 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

38 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

138 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
14.8h daylight

June

June is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (149 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

149 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
15.6h daylight

July

July is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (147 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
14°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

147 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
15.2h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (142 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

142 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
14.0h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

124 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (130 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

130 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.7h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (128 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

34 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-4°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

128 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

35 Poor

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-6° -1°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

115 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.5h daylight

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