Easy hike (3.3 km), mostly flat (37 m ascent / descent) with alpine playgrounds and barbeque sites. Suitable for strollers. Switzerland (Engelberg), 1 hour from Zurich.
Final verdict: Highly recommended (5/5)
The it factor: 5/5
It is an easy hike / walk around the lake with stunning alpine views, four barbeque spots, activity stations and playgrounds. Perfect to get young kids introduced to hiking. You can even rent a boat to treat your kids to a trip around the lake. For kids 6+ there is also an adventure park with "bag jumps".
The fun factor: 4/5
The hike is themed around a smuggler named Engelbert and his mule Schmuggli who hid their goods across seven playstations. You can get a map from the gondola station guiding kids through their mission: at each of the seven stations find a symbol with a letter. Punch this letter into the smuggler map and with the right solution word (in German) you win a small prize. Great way to change the hike into an adventure!
The hike starts (and ends) at the gondola station Trübsee, next to the hotel & restaurant with a playground, trampoline and a bouncy castle for younger kids and adventure park with bag jumps and pump bike track for older ones (6 years up) - free of charge.
The Trübsee hike goes around the lake, with seven stations along the way. They are all fun and engaging - our daughter loved it! I recommend doing the hike counter-clockwise, so the biggest playground is towards the end of it. Great motivation for kids to keep going, as they will be able to see it across the lake.
If you feel like an extra adventure, you can also rent a rowing boat. They are free to use, with a recommended donation of 10 CHF. Especially during a warm day you can put your feet in the water to cool down and enjoy the view, whilst your kids can practice their rowing skills :)
The views factor: 5/5
The views are absolutely breathtaking. Cristal clear lake, green fields, high mountains covered in snow - stunning!
The fitness factor: 2/5
To get to the beginning of the Trübsee hike you can take a gondola (see practical info). The hike is short (3.3 km), mostly flat (37 m ascent / descent) and stroller friendly across light gravel. Perfect introduction to hiking for kids from 3 years old.
The food factor: 4/5
There are two restaurants - Trubsee self service at the beginning / end and Alpstubli towards the end of the hike. Both have a good selection of food (and ice cream!) for kids and adults.
I would, however, recommend bringing your own food and taking advantage of one of the four barbeque stations. It is a unique experience to prepare your own food in such an amazing nature!
Trübsee circular hike - practical info
Hike labeled L2 on the map
Parking: Rohrstrasse 23, 6390 Engelberg
Take the Engelberg gondola to Trübsee
Start & End: Trübsee station, 1,797 m
Ascend / descend: 37 m
Length: ca. 3.3 km
Duration: 1 hr walk plus many more hours spent at the playgrouds :)
TIP: bring food for barbeque