Winter hiking is fun
With the Voralpen-Express and S-Bahn trains into winter bliss
Hikers appreciate it when the start and end points are not necessarily in the same place: With the SOB trains, you can start your winter hiking adventure in one place and be picked up again in another.
Einsiedeln-Altmatt-Rothenthurm Hike: 8.6 km, 3 h 9 min
The starting point of the winter hike is Einsiedeln railroad station. Before setting off, it is worth paying a visit to Einsiedeln Abbey. The winter hiking trail leads from the train station over the Alp river up to Katzenstrick with the Chatzestrick alpine hut. Here you have already reached the maximum altitude of the route and a fantastic view opens up of the Schwyz mountains and the Alps of Central Switzerland. Now follows a beautiful descent via Gasthaus Schlüssel to Dritte Altmatt and into the high moor of Rothenthurm. At Altmatt station, cross the road and the railroad line and continue along the hiking trail towards Rothenthurm. The beautifully groomed winter hiking trail continues through the high moor to Rothenthurm with refreshment stops and train connections.
How to get there: take the Voralpen-Express and the S-Bahn to Einsiedeln; Return journey: with the Voralpen-Express from Rothenthurm
Lichtensteig-Wattwil Hike: 3.5 km, 45 min
It doesn't always have to be a three-hour hike. A short section of the Thurweg connects Lichtensteig and Wattwil on a beautiful dirt track along the river. If you get off the S-Bahn at Lichtensteig station, you will notice the medieval houses of Lichtensteig towering on the other side of the valley. The little town is well worth a visit and can easily be combined with a visit to a restaurant or museum. The short ascent and the return to the station are worthwhile. From the station, the path leads down to the Thur. The path, often lined with trees, follows the gentle meanders of the river to Wattwil. The Thur is sometimes to the right, sometimes to the left of the path. The short hike ends at Wattwil railroad station.
Outward journey: by S-Bahn to Lichtensteig; Return journey: with the Voralpen-Express from Wattwil
Rigi Kaltbad-Rigi First-Rigi Kaltbad Hike: 2.4 km, 30 min
The beautiful journey on the Voralpen-Express is followed by an equally beautiful ride on the Rigi Railways to Rigi Staffel or Kulm. After the descent to Kaltbad, an easy yet scenic hiking trail leads through the magical Rigi winter wonderland. The easy Firstweg trail connects the village square of Kaltbad with Rigi First. From the First sun terrace, the idyllic upper Firstweg leads back to Kaltbad. An enjoyable circular tour without any exertion. A visit to the Mineralbad & Spa Rigi Kaltbad at the end of the hike makes the excursion an even more unforgettable experience. You can also make the return journey a wonderful experience with a trip via Vitznau followed by a boat trip across Lake Lucerne.
Getting there: with the Voralpen-Express to Arth-Goldau, with the cogwheel railroad to Rigi Staffel or Kulm
Rapperswil-Schmerikon Hike: 11 km, 2 h 45 min
Happiness is not only found in the mountains. The atmosphere at the lakes is often equally impressive in winter. For example, you can observe water birds that spend the winter here. A flat hike, mostly on gravel paths, begins at Rapperswil railroad station. The trail leads past vegetable fields and fruit trees through an idyllic area, always heading east along the lake. Information boards along the way provide interesting facts about the sights in the area. A small oasis beckons along the way: the Wirtschaft zum Hof and the neighboring St. Meinrad Chapel from the 13th century invite you to make a final stop before reaching your destination of Schmerikon, where there are also a whole host of places to enjoy a nice end to the winter hike.
Outward journey: with the Voralpen-Express to Rapperswil; Return journey: with the Voralpen-Express from Schmerikon