From Schwyz up the Rotenflue Cable Car

updated December 2021

Schwyz to Rotenflue summit

Lush green pastures, forest-covered slopes and craggy peaks surround the town of Schwyz. A trip up the Rotenflue cable car gives a great panorama of all this as well as the Alps, Vierwaldstättersee (Lake Lucerne) and Lauerezsee (Lake Lauer). All slowly come into view as you glide up to the mountain station at 1571 metres above sea level.

The cable car takes 15 minutes to climb from Rickenbach (neighbouring town of Schwyz) up to Rotenflue; the start of an idyllic natural landscape. From here it is possible to walk through nearby Moorland, meadows and forests or relax in the mountain inns, at BBQ spots or on panorama benches.

Suggestions of What to do and where to go . . .

Eating & Relaxing

Summer and Spring

Nearby Grill Spots

Grill spots can be found within easy walking distance of the top station. Four grill spots close to the mountain station are:

• Kreuz – an official Swiss Family BBQ spot. 300m south of the cable car
• Heublätz – 200m below the Restaurant Gipfelstubli
• Gruebi/Chänzeli – an official Swiss Family BBQ spot 800m from cable car, direction Holzegg
• Holzweid

Ordering a Picnic Basket (Picnic Korb)

In summer, it is possible to pick up a picnic basket and seat cover from the Gipfelstubli restaurant, situated at the top Rotenflue cable car station. There are currently (July 2021) three variants:

1. The Classic ( Klassische) incl. mineral water, home made ice tea
2. The Festive (Festliche) incl. Prosecco
3. The Love Affair… (direct translation from Die Liebelei) incl. Champagne

All offer food such as fresh fruit, dried fruit, bread, mineral water, cheese and sausages. (extras like vegetables, pasta salad and dessert for The Festive & The Love Affair). Also included are cups, picnic dishes and cutlery.

All Year

Berggasthäuse (Mountain Inns)

hiking & Winter Activities – easy and challenging

What kind of hikes are available:

• Circular hikes
• Combination hikes (german) – Summer – Public transport/hike/food; Winter – snowshoe hike with map/fondue meal at Hotel Passhöhe/snowshoe hire.
• Mountain climbing up Mythen on the Mythenweg – Summer/Autumn
• Moorland hiking in Ibergeregg (see one option below)
• No real purpose – just follow the yellow signs (the ones with white/red/white at the point are more challenging)
• Winter hiking and snow shoe trails (see below)

A Popular Combination Hike – Any time of year

This walk is also possible as a winter walk and with snowshoes – and from both directions. We did this one recently (Dec. 2021) from Ibergeregg. It was holiday time so reasonably busy. This was down to the perfect skiing conditions, perfect weather and was during the Christmas holidays. Was a wonderful experience with wonderful views and very entertaining watching the sledders flying past. This path also crosses some ski pistes.

The region between Ibergeregg, Holzegg and Rotenflue offers plenty of well-signposted Snowshoe trails and various skiing possibilities including a ski safari for the adventurous. It is 14 km and takes about 3 hours. Contact info@hoch-ybrig.ch for more details.

Circular Walk with lookout points, Restaurant Terraces and a BBQ spot

Mythen Region Transport Links – up to Rotenflue

Train — Bus — Rotenflue Cable Car

Train to Schwyz (offering some wonderful scenery along the way)

From Zürich – 1 hr, incl. change at Zug or Arth Goldau. Onward to Locarno.

From Lucerne – 40-50 mins; From Zug – 30 mins

Bus from Schwyz train station to Rotenflue Cable Car – summer and autumn only

Bus Nr. 503 – operates regularly in both directions, stopping at Schwyz town centre. Journey time: 12-16 mins.

Bus Nr. 505 – operates regularly in both directions, stopping at Schwyz town centre. Journey time: 9-11 mins.

Rotenflue Cable Car

Open: 8th May – 2nd July daily from 9am – 5pm; 3rd July – 31st Oct. daily from 8.30am – 5.30pm; 1st November – beginning ski season daily from 9am – 4.3 pm. (dates for 2021). For up-to-date information go here.