Engstligenalp

The Engstligenalp is a plateau of the western Swiss Alps. It lies south of Adelboden at 1,900–2,000 metres (6,200–6,600 ft) above sea level. Since 1996, it has belonged to the Swiss culture landscapes of national importance. The 7-square-kilometre (2.7 sq mi) plateau, which belongs to the community of Adelboden, has the form of an oval measuring in a north-south direction 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) and in an east-west direction 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) and is surrounded by mountains, dominated by the Wildstrubel in the southwest. It is covered by alpine pastures and crossed by numerous mountain streams springing from the slopes. At the exit of the valley, the streams join to form the Engstligen Falls which cascade in one of the most impressive waterfalls of the western Swiss alps 600 metres (2,000 ft) down to the Engstligen Valley. Access from the north is via a mule track blasted into the 600 metres (2,000 ft) high rock beside the waterfalls. Since the 1920s, there has also been a cable car.