Hike & Fly Gross Hohmad

Lands of the Bearded Vulture

You can't get to the Gross Hohmad (2307 m above sea level) without breaking a sweat, but thanks to the Melchsee-Frutt cable car, a steep climb over the first 900 metres, the effort required is manageable and the experience is no less so - a very beautiful ridge hike above the Melchtal and a flight in the area of ​​the bearded vultures.

Driven by the desire to explore new territory, I browsed through the Hike & Fly Guide Central Switzerland and found what I was looking for on page 158. The next day I discovered a great intermediate peak in a very impressive landscape: the Hohmad above the Melchtal, part of the Unterwalden Prealps, the Uri Alps in the broadest sense. The area certainly has an alpine feel; the neighboring peaks are rugged, wild, and rich in number and height. But this needs to be clarified here: the Hohmad itself is in the Hutstock hunting ban area and there is a year-round take-off ban! In this case, you must not be seduced by the Hike & Fly Guide Central Switzerland, as we did, and you will be heading down illegal paths. It is better to study the maps carefully in preparation, stay on the path of virtue and choose the Gross Hohmad as an alternative destination; it is outside the hunting ban area and closer to the starting point and, apart from a few meters in altitude, the tour loses none of its appeal. The Gross Hohmad is large, especially in name, because it is not as high as the Hohmad, and the highest is actually the Chli Hohmad. The name Hohmad probably derives from Hohe Matte or Mahd, and large and small therefore refer to the area, not the height. These high meadows, although located right next to the busy Engelberg valley, are probably a little-known area for many people from the Mittelland, especially in summer, and are rarely the destination of a day trip. After the train ride to Melchsee Frutt, there is fun for the whole family, but that is not why we went up there and we are happy to leave on foot. The picture-book landscape on the Frutt, with its clear mountain lakes in the middle of the mighty rocks, is also not very impressive - it does not impress us, but it opens up to all those who seek the calm power of the mountains. Like the bearded vultures, which have found a new home in this area thanks to resettlements in recent decades and, with a bit of luck, show us sedate cloth specialists the right way. Perhaps you will remember, when you cross the Flüeli-Ranft on the way there or the flight back, that there was once someone here who found bliss in his connection with nature and creatures. Spread your wings wide.

Directions

From Lucerne via Sarnen, always head towards Melchsee Frutt to Stöckalp, the car park, landing site and starting point. Reachable by public transport from Lucerne in 65 minutes, from Zurich in around 2 hours. From Stöckalp, take the train up to Melchsee Frutt and then continue on foot.

Ascent

From Melchsee Frutt head west towards Bonistock (alternative starting point). Various routes are possible for the first few hundred metres, then clearly follow the ridge via Bonistock (restaurant) to the Gross Hohmad. Beautiful landscape, very manageable and easy (T2). 

Takeoff

Directly on the Gross Hohmad and outside the wildlife sanctuary (no take-off!) Hutstock, ideal in W, slight NW/SW also possible. Not very steep and partly interspersed with sharp-edged limestone and surrounded by a few karst ravines. The starting slope turns into a cliff. Not exactly a practice slope, but not difficult with the right wind.

Flight

An Eldorado, many connecting and sightseeing flight options, the BEO and the high Alps are within reach. With thermal conditions, the flight and connection to the Engelberg valley and beyond is easy. You are surrounded by various airspaces (Alpnach, Meiringen, etc.) and the Melchtal seems to be well connected...

Landing

Stöckalp, right next to the car park, not completely flat and surrounded by the road, power lines and tall trees, but large. Left turn, easy, more challenging and possibly a bit turbulent as the valley wind increases.

Attention

On unstable summer days, the conditions in the air and at the take-off (and landing) site can be tough. Various wildlife rest areas and wildlife protection areas (hunting ban areas) must be observed! The Gross Hohmad itself lies just outside the Hutstock wildlife protection area (No. 11.00).

Conclussion

A treasure that is not very difficult to find and yet it will take you to great heights!