Pictures on social media make these famous Saxer Lücke peaks difficult to reach. But it's actually quite easy since you can ride a cable car up to the trail, then 1 hour hike to the viewpoint.
Trail: moderate • 6 km • 2 hours • 240m up & down
Trail map on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive
Location: Frümsen-Staubern cable car - Frümsnerbergstrasse 9467 Sennwald • bus stop Frümsen, Luftseilbahn Staubern
Open: usually June to October
Status: nearby webcam: Hoher Kasten • forecast
This is a perfect choice for casual hikers and families that want spectacular views without hiking all day to get there.
The trail is rocky with some stairs, often with steep slopes to the side. So best for those with steady footing and with some hiking experience. But my 72 year old dad who rarely hikes was able to manage it, if a bit slowly.
Optional extension:
I highly recommend hiking another 1 km down to the Fälensee lake, where you can lunch at the Bollenwies mountain restaurant - best Rösti in Switzerland! But if you can't manage that, bring a picnic and settle in near the peaks.
Trail
Get to Frümsen-Staubern cable car.
Ride up mountain to Staubern guest house. Nice to get coffee here before starting the hike.
Follow signs to Saxer Lücke. It takes about 1 hour to reach the viewpoint.
To reach Fälensee and hut for lunch, follow signs to Bollenwees, down the switchbacks about 25 mins.
Return the way you came.
ℹ️ Learn more in our Saxer Lücke article.
Longer option: Start further up the ridge at Hoher Kasten instead for a 16 km trek (we loved that too!).
When to go
This area is usually open for hiking from late May through early November, depending on the snow conditions.
In summer, it's bright green with lots of wildflowers. But also gorgeous in October, when the hills turn bright orange and yellow and the shadows become dramatically long.
How to get there
This hike starts at the top of the Frümsen-Staubern cable car - Frümsnerbergstrasse 9467 Sennwald. There is parking next to the cable car station, but it can fill up very quickly on weekends. Best to arrive before 9:30.
The closest bus stop is Frümsen, Luftseilbahn Staubern, about a 500m walk from the cable car valley station. The bus schedule is quite infrequent, so check the schedule carefully on SBB.ch before heading out.
Tickets
You'll need a round trip ticket on the Staubern cable car. You purchase tickets with a credit card at a machine at the entrance. No discounts for Swiss travel cards or passes. See current prices.
When the light turns green, scan your ticket to pass through the turnstile and get onto the gondola. It fits 8 people. When it's time to go, the cable car doors automatically close and you ride up the mountain.
