Mountain Paw

The Canton of Obwalden impresses with spectacular pre-Alpine and Alpine landscapes around Lake Sarnen, Lake Lungern, the Glaubenberg area, Melchsee-Frutt, and Engelberg. Anyone hiking with their dog in Obwalden should be thoroughly familiar with the specific local regulations, as different
local ordinances apply in each of the seven municipalities. Livestock protection in the Kerns/Engelberg area also requires forward-thinking attention.

We inquired directly with the responsible Obwalden authorities and compiled all the facts for you.

An overview of the regulations

Where is a leash required?	Alpnach	Engelberg	Giswil	Kerns	Lungern	Sachseln	Sarnen
In and along forests				✓	✓	✓
Wildlife quiet zones from Dec 1 to Apr 30*	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Nature reserves**	✓		✓			✓	✓
In forests during the breeding/nesting season***		✓	✓				✓
Public establishments, buildings, and parks	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Public roads and walking paths	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Hiking trails through occupied alpine pastures or cow grazing areas				✓	✓	✓
Dogs in heat, aggressive, or sick dogs	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

* In the wildlife quiet zones Schlierengrat, Nüwenalpwald, Schattenberg, Rosalp/Gerlisalp/Gemsgrube, Bärengraben, Teufimatt, and Ross-/Dälenboden, the leash law extends until July 15.
** Applies only to the nature reserves: Hanenried, Hinteregg, Mörlisee, Sachsler Seefeld, Sackboden, Schlierenrüti, Städerried, Usser Allmend.
*** The leash requirement in and along forests applies in Giswil from March to June, and in Engelberg and Sarnen from mid-December to end of June.

Topic	Regulations in the canton of Obwalden
List of restricted breeds	No cantonal breed list in the Canton of Obwalden. No restricted breeds
Muzzle	No general cantonal muzzle requirement. Aggressive or biting dogs must wear a muzzle according to municipal rules.
Cows	No official cantonal maps available. Farmers fence off hiking trails where possible and display information boards from “Mutterkuh Schweiz” (Available in German, French, Italian).
Livestock protection	Official farm Morger (Kerns / Fürenalp in Engelberg) operates certified guard dogs with an official safety assessment. Pastures are signed on-site and registered on protectiondestroupeaux.ch.
Tourist tax (dogs)	No registration requirement or special tax for short-term visitors. Tax obligations remain in your home municipality.

Data Source: With kind support from the authorities of the Canton of Obwalden.
Status: 2026.

Disclaimer: All information is provided without guarantee. Neither we nor the responsible authorities accept any liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information.