Schwyzer Höhenweg
Overview
Intro
The Seebodenalp is one of the most beautiful vantage terraces in the Swiss Alpine foothills. It can be enjoyed at leisure, because it’s close to the Rigi Staffel. From Staffel to Kulm you can enjoy the company of rail travellers.
Description
The route starts between the shores of Lake Lucerne and Lake Zug in the prosperous town of Küssnacht. From the railway station, walk down to the marina and then along the lake promenade for a few minutes. With a bit of luck, you will see swans and ducks making themselves comfortable in the grass. After the well-kept stretch of lakeshore, you reach the landing stage of the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company. Through the old town and past the church and the beautiful timber-framed Gasthaus zum Engel, you leave the old town and come to the ruins of the Gesslerburg castle. Just like the Hohle Gasse, it's associated with the legend of William Tell. From here, 360-degree views of the surrounding hills, the lake and the mountains beckon.
Follow the village stream around the castle. Across mown meadows, you reach the Alpenhof farm. Its restaurant serves food grown on the farm, and the large playground has a rope park. The path with fantastic vistas of Lake Lucerne and Mount Pilatus becomes steeper from here on. Via paths and stairs, past flower meadows and a few forest sections, you reach Seebodenalp. The alp is also easily accessible by cable car from Küssnacht.
Seebodenalp is a panoramic terrace at 1,020 metres above sea level. It lies halfway to the Rigi, the "Queen of the Mountains". On a clear day, the views extend from Mount Pilatus and the Alpine foothills to the Jura and the Vosges. The famous Rigi March from Bremgarten to the Rigi also runs along this route.
From Seebodenalp, the route leads uphill on the gravel road for about one kilometre. After that, it turns into a scenic, varied and steep path. The following section first takes across open meadows and then through the forest, with about 600 vertical meters to overcome to reach Rigi Staffel – which is well worth it. Once you arrive at the top, sweeping views of the Alpine chain and Lake Lucerne, Lake Sempach and Lake Zug will quickly make you forget the strenuous climb.
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 |
Küssnacht a.R.
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Rigi
|
| Direction |
One way
|
| Altitude (meter above sea level) |
1600 m
|
| Ascent |
1200 m
|
| Descent |
50 m
|
| Distance |
9 km
|
| Duration |
3 h 50 min
|
| Duration back |
2 h 35 min
|
| Technical requirements |
Easy
|
| Physical requirements |
Difficult
|
| Season |
May - October
|
| Theme |
To an alp, With panoramic view, To a mountain peak
|
Quick Facts
Route number
