With the city of lights, Lucerne, behind us, the tracks head south. With each stop, the villages become smaller and the landscape more peaceful. At the same time, the Engelberg Valley narrows and an inspiring mountain world opens up. While the water in the Engelberger Aa is slightly brownish from the recent rain, wisps of cloud duel with the sun on the valley flanks. At Wolfenschiessen station, it's time to get off, with the destination being the Neufallenbach farm.

A few meters from the station, the old covered wooden bridge invites you to cross the Engelberger Aa. It seems to have calmed down a bit, the water is clearer. The hiking trail leads along the river, whose murmur is occasionally interrupted by the sound of a tractor or two. After 45 minutes, you reach your destination and the sun has finally taken over.

Inspired beings tell their story

In Neufallenbach, you might think that the sun always shines. The herbs display their most beautiful colors, Beatrice and Wäli their broadest smiles. This is home to nature and the passion of two down-to-earth and sensitive people. Surrounded by rocks, streams, and striking mountains, their farm lies at the end of the Engelberg Valley. Over the past two decades, the two hosts have created a herb garden world that is second to none. A lightness and magic can be felt when walking through their alpine herb garden. Each plant tells its own story with its unique and soulful nature.

Starting signal for the botanical medicinal plant garden

On the first floor of the simple, modern wooden building between the beautiful Nidwalden house and the barn, plans, pictures, and drawings lie on the floor. Here, the future lies at your feet and the scent of herbs fills the air. The creative duo is working on a new project. "The incense plants were the starting signal for the botanical medicinal plant garden. " Beatrice Bissig made her first tea blend at the age of 14. You can see the experience and knowledge she has acquired, among other things, through her studies in ethnobotany. Coupled with a great passion and an incredible spirit of innovation, she and her husband Wäli are continuing to develop the Neufallenbach farm, including the new botanical medicinal plant garden. When asked about potential challenges, their answer shows how pragmatic they are: “We know what's in the garden. We love what we do.” Period. An attitude that allows new things to grow.

Living traditional self-care

They want to impart knowledge, highlight cultural aspects and, above all, show how healing traditions are currently practiced in the Alpine region. “Many people have herbal tea at home, and if they have stomach ache, for example, they drink peppermint or chamomile tea. That's already a healing tradition,” says Bissig. “We want to encourage people to take better care of themselves and show them the benefits of medicinal plants for their own well-being. Always with the idea that everything we need is already there.” And the possibilities are almost limitless, as evidenced by the great diversity of plants.

It is obvious that Beatrice and Wäli want to offer visitors a feast for the eyes with their garden, which is aesthetically pleasing. “It is important to us that the garden looks beautiful. The gardens should blend into the landscape and inspire imitation.” With their botanical medicinal plant garden, the Bissigs offer visitors a unique, magical moment in the Engelberg Valley.

Paper edition of the magazine “hin und weg” – also available as a subscription.

This is an article from the magazine “hin und weg”. You can find the printed version at the train stations in Engelberg, Sarnen, Stans and Meiringen, in all Travel Centres, as well as on trains. We will also be happy to send the magazine to your home address. Send an e-mail to hello@zentralbahn.ch with the subject “Subscribe to hin und weg magazine” and include your postal address in the body text of the message.