Swiss Alps adventure

The Engelberg region of the Swiss Alps is well-known among skiers who are drawn to its soaring peaks and reliable snowfall. Our writer Phoebe Smith, however, visits in the summer to try out a new hiking route with her partner and young son.
The Buiräbähnli Safari trail offers an unusual adventure - it makes use of “farmers' cableways”, small cable cars that were built across the country after the second world war to transport supplies to the farms dotted among the mountains, but have mostly been abandoned since.
The circular route winds through dramatic scenery and includes eight cable car rides, offering an insight into traditional life with overnight stays on farms and in mountain huts. Along the way the family sees no tourists, but shares meals and stories with locals. The back-to-basics simplicity and enchanting landscape offer a chance to slow down - even Phoebe’s toddler sleeps deeply each night.
Money from the hike contributes to the upkeep of the cable cars and the livelihoods of people in the area, writes Phoebe. “The knowledge that our family adventure on these old cableways was helping keep this mountain culture alive, while allowing hikers to experience just a little bit of the region’s magic, would help me sleep as soundly as my toddler”. Low-impact tourism at its best.