One of our very favorite Swiss trails is the spectacular ridge trail at Stoos near Lucerne. Despite its recent popularity, we still love it and try to hike it once a year.
Trail: moderate • 2 hours one way • 4.4 km • 290m up, 300m down • trail map
Open: usually mid June thru to October. Check current lift operating times.
Location: Stoos funicular - Grundstrasse 232, 6430 Schwyz. Bus stop: Schwyz, Stoosbahn. From Lucerne 1h15 by train+bus, 45 min by car.
💡Tip: This trail is often crowded sunny summer days and weekends. We suggest arriving as soon as the lifts open to beat some of the crowds.
Trail info
To reach the trail, you ride the steepest funicular in Europe. Then a chair lift to the trail head at Klingenstock.
Then hike about 2 hours ups and down, leading to the cliff viewpoint at Fronalpstock, where you'll find a restaurant. Then a chair lift back to the Stoos village.
You can hike in either direction and optionally skip the chairlifts on either side of the hike.
It is a well built trail, but it could be dangerous since it often has very steep slopes on the side of the trail without railings. This trail is suitable for experiences hikers with steady footing and proper hiking shoes.
Tip: If you need an easier hike, ride up to the Fronalpstock viewpoint and do the short panorama loop along the cliffs.
How to get there
The Stoos funicular train is located at Grundstrasse 232, 6430 Schwyz. There is lots of metered parking next to the funicular station.
By bus, get off at the Schwyz, Stoosbahn stop.
To reach the trail, you do a short walk from the Stoos village to the Klingenstock chair lift and ride that up. The trail ends at Fronalpstock where you can ride chairlifts back to the Stoos village.
Tickets
For this trail, you'll need the "Peak Experience" ticket, which includes a round trip ticket from the valley (includes funicular and chair lifts).
Discount with Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Half Fare Card, and GA. Free with Lucerne Tell Pass.
The ticket is slightly cheaper if you buy it online, plus you can skip the line. Tickets do not sell out and you do not need a reservation.
