The Globi and Globine treasure hunts are family-friendly mountain adventures on the sunny side of Engelberg. The routes lead from Ristis towards Brunnihütte, where children solve puzzles, search for hidden treasure chests and collect clues from the stories of the popular Swiss characters.
Summary hike details
Start/end location: Ristis or the Kräuterhütte at Härzlisee
Access: Brunni cable cars from Engelberg
Distance: Approximately 3.5–4.5 km
Duration: Around 2–3.5 hours, depending on the route and stops
Elevation gain: Approximately 330–370 m
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Suitable for: Families with children from around 3 or 7 years, depending on the treasure hunt
Cost: CHF 5 per treasure-hunt group, including one gift
Introduction
We chose the Globi and Globine treasure hunt because it combines a mountain walk with a fun story and simple puzzles. Instead of simply following a hiking trail, children have a clear mission: help Globi or Globine find the hidden clues and solve the treasure hunt.
The route takes place in the beautiful Brunni area above Engelberg, with views of alpine meadows, forests, rocky peaks and the surrounding mountains.
Starting at Ristis or Brunnihütte
The adventure begins at Ristis if you want to hike up, or at Brunnihütte if you want to hike only down. Ristis can be reached by cable car from Engelberg. Before starting, collect the treasure map and questionnaire from the shop at the Berglodge Restaurant Ristis.
From Ristis, follow the marked hiking trail towards Brunnihütte or viceversa (as we did). Along the route, look for the hidden treasure chests. Each chest contains a clue or part of a story that helps you solve the final puzzle.
The locations of the treasure chests can change from year to year, so the route remains interesting even for returning visitors.
Globi or Globine
There are two versions of the experience:
- Globi’s treasure hunt: A route of approximately 4.5 km with around 370 metres of ascent or descent, suitable for older children.
- Globine’s treasure hunt: A shorter route of approximately 3.5 km with around 330 metres of ascent or descent, suitable for younger children.
Both treasure hunts can be completed as a group, and one gift is included with each CHF 5 treasure-hunt package.
The walk from Brunnihütte to Ristis
The trail goes from Ristis towards the Brunnihütte. Although the route is family-friendly, the uphill section can feel tiring for younger children, especially on warm days. That is why we decided to start at Brunnihütte and go down towards Ristis.
There are many good places to pause and enjoy the scenery. At the top, you can visit Härzlisee, relax beside the lake and walk barefoot in water around it, or continue with other family activities in the Brunni area.
Depending on the season, you can also combine the treasure hunt with the barefoot trail, a playground or a meal at the mountain restaurant.
Practical tips
- Buy the treasure map before starting the hike.
- Allow extra time for children to search every treasure chest.
- Bring water, snacks and sun protection.
- Wear proper shoes because the route includes mountain paths and uphill sections.
- Check the cable-car and restaurant opening times before travelling.
- The treasure hunts are generally available during the summer season, usually from June to October.
- The Globi route is not suitable for strollers; the shorter Globine route may be accessible with a suitable all-terrain stroller according to current local information.
- Pick up the gift at the designated location after completing the puzzle.
Conclusion
The Globi and Globine treasure hunts are an enjoyable way to explore the Brunni mountains with children. The combination of puzzles, hidden treasure chests and alpine scenery makes the walk feel like an adventure rather than a regular hike.
The route is long enough to provide a satisfying half-day outing, while the activities keep children motivated during the uphill sections. With the cable-car journey, Härzlisee and family attractions at Brunni, the treasure hunt can easily become a full day in the Engelberg mountains.
