Motel Stans-Sued

Vintage and modern

by barbskie

Very interesting story:The vintage cable car is now fusioned to modern aerial one technique. In 1893, the railway worked in three segments for technical reasons until 1970. Today, the longest and the lower section(1556 meters) is still in use.

Walking and Hiking Trails

by pure1942

The Stanserhorn Mountain offers a variety of marked walking and hiking trails up and down the mountain and shorter mountain trails around the mountain itself.
Some of the hikes are challenging and can take anywhere up to 4 to 5 hours while others are designed more for visitors (like me) who just want to have a short walk around the mountain summit to admire the stunning scenery.
Some of the walks are seasonal and are closed at certain times of the year. Obey the signs around the area. If a trail is closed it is for good reason and will have a barrier blocking the way.
All the trails are well signposted and give time estimates as to how long the walks/hikes will take.

Check the web link below for more details on the Stanserhorn hiking trails

Stans - Home of the Stanserhorn Mountain

by pure1942

"The Town of Stans"

Most visitors to Stans don't even see the town, which is understandable considering that most people visiting the town want to get up the top of the Stanserhorn Mountain which towers over the town of Stans, to enjoy the stunning panoramic views from the summit. However it is worth taking a little stroll around the town to get a feel for the everyday atmosphere of a small Swiss town.
The town of Stans is the capital of the Nidwalden Kanton but is very compact and has a sleepy, laid back atmosphere. Of course I visited on a Sunday so that might explain the relaxed atmosphere :)
The centre of the town is dominated by the impressive Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul which was built between the year 1641 and 1647. The church displays a beautiful Romanesque Belltower. In front of the church there is a fountain dedicated to Arnold von Winkelried, which was erected in 1865. Von Winkelreid was a native of the town, and is considered a local hero after his sacrifice for the country, when he diverted the Austrian Forces during the Battle of Sempach in 1386, which led to a famous vistory for the Swiss Army over the Austrains.

The narrow alleys and roads between the buildings of Stans throw up some great little hidden treasures including frescoed buildings, Traditional Swiss architecture and several fountains and monuments.
The most impressive of these monuments is also close to the church but unfortunately I have been unable to find out who or what exactly the monument is dedicated to - If anyone has any info, I'd love to know :)

The meadowlands and farmland around the town is beautiful and is as close to 'typical' Swiss countryside as I saw in my short trip around Switzerland - The cows even had bells around their necks ;0) If you have the time it is a nice stroll up the gentle slopes at the bottom of the Stanserhorn.

Of course if you don't have time to wander through the meadowland on foot, you will get a taste of it during the gentle funicular ride up the lower slopes of the Stanserhorn mountain up to the cable car station. This funicular has been travelling up and down the mountain since 1893. The funicular is not as long as it once was, with the aeriel cable car taking over the steeper part of the trip to the summit.

"Stanserhorn Mountain"

Of course the main attraction of the town of Stans is the mountain which looms over it. The mighty Stanserhorn Mountain is a superb location from which to enjoy the landscape of central Switzerland and beyond.
The mountain boasts stunning views iver the lakes around Lucerne and the Swiss Apline Mountain Range. From the summit of the Stanserhorn you can enjoy views to the mountains Rigi, Titlis, and Pilatus as well as a 360 degree panoramic view of the surrouding countryside. From the top of the mountain on a clear day, you can see for more than 100 km, 10 Swiss Lakes and even as far as the Black Forest in Germany!
The mountain also boasts miles of marked mountain trails catering for all tastes and fitness levels, from short 10-20 minute walks to challenging hours of hiking paths through the Swiss Alps.
Just short of the summit of the mountain is the Stanserhorn Rondorama rotating restaurant which also has a gift shop.
Of course have the enjoyment of the mountain is the journey up by funicular and aeriel cable car. The funicular travels through luch green meadow and farm land while the cable car takes over for the final leg of the journey which treats passengers to breathtaking views over the surounding countryside, lakes and mountains, which gets more stunning as you get closer and closer to the summit.
The excursion up the Stanserhorn was one of the overall highlights of my trip to Switzerland.