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.
Engstlensee at a Glance#
About Engstlensee#
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.
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.
Weather & Climate near Engstlensee#
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -8° - -2° | -11° | 105 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 4.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -8° - -2° | -11° | 99 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Poor | -7° - 0° | -9° | 111 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.7 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -4° - 2° | -6° | 128 mm | overcast | 78% | 4.6 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.4h |
| May | Poor | 0° - 7° | 0° | 138 mm | overcast | 78% | 4.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.8h |
| June | Poor | 3° - 11° | 4° | 149 mm | overcast | 78% | 4.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 8° | 147 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.0 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 10° | 142 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.0h |
| September | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 4° | 124 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.3 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Poor | 0° - 7° | -1° | 130 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.6 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -4° - 2° | -6° | 128 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 4.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -6° - -1° | -9° | 115 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
