Pragelpass-Weg
Overview
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Distance 20 km
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Duration 6 h 20 min
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Ascent 1100 m
Intro
A delightful hike over passes with attractive houses and stables lining the way as well as meadows and wetlands. Views to Bödmeren-Urwald (forest) above Muotatal, with the Höllloch cave system spreading out below ground. Of cultural interest: the Gasthaus Richisau (tavern).
Description
The Muotatal is a green, long-drawn-out valley in the Canton Schwyz and surrounded by mountains. The long hike to the Klöntal Valley begins at the magnificent arched wooden bridge in Muotathal. The trail leads along the Muota River to Restaurant Sonne. On the right, the path turns toward the Bisisthal Valley where the Muota originates, while the trail to Pragel Pass takes a left turn. It follows the historic Via Suvorov. In 1799 the Russians under General Suvorov crossed the Gotthard and the Chinzig Pass and arrived in the Muotatal Valley where they relentlessly fought the French army.
Just a little bit further and you have reached the turnoff to the Hölloch caves. The cave labyrinth was discovered in 1875 and according to the latest research it is about 195 km long. It is located below the Silberen karst area and the Bödmerenwald, one of Europe’s most beautiful mountain forests. In addition to stalagmites and stalactites, this subterranean world also includes deep ravines, mysterious rock formations, glacier mills, and fossilisation. A few minutes later and you’re on the very old “Staldenweg”, which is listed in the Inventory of Historical Traffic Routes in Switzerland. It was once used for cattle driving and was designed to ensure that the cattle could not graze from adjacent pastures. The Staldenweg is followed by an impressive slope covered with scree. Further up is the cliff from where the rocks came shooting down. A beautiful trail of large stone slabs leads through a moon-like landscape – one of the highlights on this part of the hike.
Once you cross the Starzlenbach, the path runs alongside the Bödmerenwald forest. By now you have been hiking for approximately 2 ½ hours. Parts of this primeval forest of about 550 hectares are almost jungle-like. The largely unspoiled spruce forest stands on a wide karst area lined with trenches and fissures. Continue another 1 ½ hours on a gravel road to reach the top of Pragel Pass at 1548 m. Now the hiking trail descends, alternating between paths and the road across the pass. Further down you can see charming Klöntal Lake at 848 m, sparkling and smooth as glass. The natural lake is three square kilometres in size and the result of a landslide. It is located at the end of a long hike to Hinter Klöntal. When the Russians under General Suvorov fled to Glarus in 1799 it was rumoured that they buried their war chest in Klöntal Lake. This was the reason for numerous diving expeditions, but so far without success …
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Muotathal
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Hinter Klöntal
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| Direction |
One way
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| Altitude (meter above sea level) |
1000 m
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| Ascent |
1100 m
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| Descent |
880 m
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| Distance |
20 km
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| Duration |
6 h 20 min
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| Duration back |
6 h 10 min
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| Technical requirements |
Medium
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| Physical requirements |
Difficult
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| Season |
May - October
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| More information | https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/wanderland/etappe29... |
Quick Facts
Route number
