If you’re searching for an awe-inspiring, off-the-beaten-path adventure in the Swiss Alps, Saxer Lücke is your ideal destination.
📝Getting to Saxer Lücke
Saxer Lücke can be accessed from multiple starting points, the most popular being the small village of Brülisau. From here, you have several options to reach the pass.
The Hoher Kasten cable car in Brülisau is a convenient choice, taking you up part of the way, with incredible views right from the start.
Another popular route is the Staubern cable car in Frümsen, which offers a similarly scenic starting point and is especially popular if you want to do a full-day hike to Saxer Lücke.
The hike to Saxer Lücke
The hike to Saxer Lücke is moderately challenging. The trails are steep and rocky, with an elevation gain of about 800-1,000 metres, depending on the route you choose. However, the trails are well-marked, and the effort is well worth it once you arrive at the pass.
🧭Routes:
Brülisau to Saxer Lücke via Fälensee
Distance: Approximately 12 km round trip
Duration: 4-6 hours
This route takes you through rolling meadows, around the beautiful Fälensee lake, and up to the Saxer Lücke pass, providing a combination of forested paths, rocky terrain, and expansive alpine views.
Staubern to Saxer Lücke
Distance: Approximately 6 km one way
Duration: 3-4 hours
This trail from the Staubern cable car station is shorter and direct, with spectacular views of the Rhine Valley below. It’s a popular choice if you want a more straightforward route without compromising on scenery.
Best Time to Visit
The hiking season in the Alpstein region typically runs from late spring to early autumn (May to October). Summer is ideal for warm weather and clear skies, though I recommend to start early to avoid midday heat. For a more dramatic landscape with fewer visitors, consider visiting in September or October, when autumn colours begin to emerge across the valleys, creating a stunning contrast with the rugged rocks.
❄️Winter hikes are possible but challenging and often require mountaineering experience and equipment. Snow adds an incredible beauty to the landscape, but please keep in mind, trails can become icy and difficult to navigate.
My Photography Tips:
🌄Golden Hour Magic:
Saxer Lücke is a paradise for photographers, especially at sunrise or sunset when the light casts a warm glow over the pass and rocks. The soft light accentuates the depth of the landscape and brings out the texture of the rock formations.
💦Capture Fälensee:
If you plan to photograph the lake, a polarising filter can help reduce glare and enhance the natural colours of the water.
⭐️Top tip: Wide Angle lens
The grandeur of the landscape benefits from a wide-angle lens to capture the full extent of the mountains and valleys.
If you’re planning a trip to Switzerland, don’t miss the chance to explore this hidden gem. Saxer Lücke is not just a destination it’s an experience that stays with you long after you’ve left its peaks behind. Enjoy! 😊
