Höhronen Bike

Starting in Einsiedeln, a place of pilgrimage with its impressive Abbey, the trail soon leads to Lake Sihl, the largest reservoir in Switzerland. At Egg (SZ), it crosses the river Sihl over the Devil's Bridge, part of the Way of St. James. Fascinating fact: the physician Paracelsus was born nearby in 1493. This is followed by a short, steep ascent that branches off before the top of the Etzel Pass. With Lake Zurich in view, bikers ride downhill to Schindellegi, back across the Sihl and uphill along the Höhronen.

Their eye is soon drawn by the colourful sight of the Schwantenau moorland reserve. Later, they will enjoy the distant view across the Rothenthurm moorland. Covering more than 100 hectares, this is Switzerland's largest upland moor and heathland, traversed by the small and meandering river Biber.

On the ridge of the Höhronen hills stands the border stone, marking the boundary between the cantons of Zurich, Schwyz and Zug. The route runs through the middle of the forest, but not all the way up: instead, it leads towards the Raten Pass and St. Jost Chapel with a magnificent view of the Ägeri Valley. Crossing the Rothenthurm moorland, which we admired from above earlier on, it takes us to Altmatt. Now comes the final obstacle on the tour: the Chatzenstrick. At the top, bikers are rewarded with a view across the monastery village of Einsiedeln with Lake Sihl and the Ybrig mountains in the background.