Klewenalp is a quick cable car ride up from Beckenried, and serves as a great starting point for any number of hikes and bike rides in every direction. On this day I had an idea to hike up to Brisen, a tall 2400m or so peak. A few years ago, I took a similar path but encroaching weather encouraged me to skip the top of the ridge in favor of a descent to Haldigrat. Haldigrat is home to a small chairlift with an interesting history, but the first time I was there I was a little put off by having to interact with the local owner (of whose renown I was unaware), plus it cost CHF 12 to ride despite my Tell Pass. This was a mistake. That day I really learned the value of chairlifts; the hike down was incredibly steep, not very scenic, and I was in a rush to catch another cable car at Niederrickenbach to connect with a train to a bus to a boat to get back to Vitznau.
This year, I set out intending to probe a bit higher toward the peak of Brisen, but in the end the same ridge turn ended up being the right call for the day and the weather. But at least I took the chairlift!
