Grosser Mythen: The Hike up the Local Mountain of Schwyz
The Grosser Mythen is hard to miss. Its rock pyramid stands above the basin of Schwyz and can be made out from large parts of central Switzerland. The route to the 1,898 m summit is short but demands attention. It climbs the flank in 47 tight bends, and chains secure the path at the exposed points. At the top there is a cross and a small summit hut, from which the view reaches in all directions across Lake Lucerne to the Glarus and Uri Alps. In the region the hut is also known for its nut pastries. Here is what you should know before setting off.
The key facts
| Summit | Grosser Mythen, 1,898 m |
|---|---|
| Starting point | Holzegg, 1,405 m |
| Ascent | about 490 m of altitude over roughly 2 km of zigzag path |
| Time | 1–1½ h up from the Holzegg, 45–60 min down |
| Difficulty | demanding mountain path: steep, partly exposed, secured with chains |
| Season | roughly May to early November, as long as the summit hut is open |
| At the summit | all-round view and the summit hut with its nut and almond pastries |
Who is the hike suitable for?
The path is laid out like a steep staircase. There is no scrambling anywhere. Thousands of locals climb it every season, many of them before work. Several passages are exposed, though, and there the ground falls away sharply beneath your feet. Those sections are secured with fixed chains and ropes. For the walk you therefore need:
- A head for heights. Anyone who gets nervous at exposed points should choose a different mountain.
- Sure-footedness and good shoes. The bends are stony and poles help.
- Dry conditions. In wet weather, ice or snow the route becomes dangerous. The hut then closes too, which in the region counts as the sign that the season is over.
Active families with older children who are used to the mountains do walk the route; it is not suitable for small children. On busy days watch out for stones dislodged by people above you.
The route
All approaches lead to the Holzegg (1,405 m), the saddle at the foot of the pyramid. From there a single, clearly visible path zigzags up to the summit.
Two ways to the Holzegg:
- From the Schwyz side: take the Rotenfluebahn from Rickenbach (above Schwyz) up to the Rotenflue, then walk across to the Holzegg in 30–60 minutes on a mostly easy path. This is the classic approach and combines well with the panoramic trails of the Mythen region.
- From the Einsiedeln side: take the bus from Einsiedeln to Brunni, then the small cable car Brunni–Holzegg, or walk up across the alpine meadows of the Alptal.
From the Holzegg to the summit: this is where the 47 bends begin. Over about 2 km the path gains some 490 metres of altitude in the south-east flank. It climbs without a break, but the bends set a steady rhythm that most people soon settle into. After a good hour you are at the top. Because the east and south-east flank lies in full sun from early in the day, an early start is worthwhile in high summer, otherwise you will work up quite a sweat. You will also find the route from the Rotenflue in our hiking portal: From the Rotenflue up the Grosser Mythen and back.
At the summit: there is a cross and a small hut. Because the Mythen stands on its own, nothing blocks the view. Below lie Lake Lucerne and Lake Lauerz, and along the horizon the Glarus and Uri Alps line up. On clear days the view reaches far out over the Swiss plateau.
The summit hut and its nut pastries
For generations the hut on the Grosser Mythen has served walkers, and many climb up because of it. It is open from roughly May to early November. Traditionally a flag visible from the valley shows that the hut is open. The menu is simple, with drinks, hot dishes and fresh cake. Above all, though, the hut is known for its nut and almond pastries, which have a particular reputation among Swiss walkers. Bring cash, because there is no card terminal at the summit.
Sunrise on the Mythen
The Grosser Mythen is one of the classic sunrise walks in Switzerland. Locals set off from the Holzegg with head torches while it is still dark, so that they are standing at the cross when the first light falls on the Alps. Afterwards the hut serves breakfast. Anyone in the region on 1 August should look up to the summit after nightfall. A cross of fire burns up there, visible throughout the valley basin.
Getting there
From Lucerne you travel about 90 minutes: by train to Schwyz, by bus to Rickenbach to the valley station of the Rotenfluebahn and by gondola up. From Zurich you either take the same route via Arth-Goldau or travel via the Einsiedeln side, that is by train to Einsiedeln and on by bus to Brunni.
Check the operating status of the Rotenfluebahn before you set off, because it stands still in bad weather. The summit path itself opens in spring only after maintenance work, typically in mid-May and together with the lifts.
Local tips
- Go during the week. The Mythen is very popular. On the narrow bends that means, on summer weekends, that you repeatedly have to wait at passing places until people coming the other way have gone by.
- Start early. In the morning the sunny flank is still cooler and the path is quieter. The light for photographs is at its best then as well.
- Combine routes. The Rotenflue is connected to the whole path network of the Mythen region. So you can ride up, climb the Mythen and then walk on along the high-level trails towards the Ibergeregg. The walk can just as well be finished with the descent to Brunni.
- Take closures seriously. If the hut's flag has been taken in and the path is officially closed, conditions in the flank really are dangerous. There is no safe version of this route for the off season.
FAQ
How difficult is the hike up the Grosser Mythen?
The path is steep, exposed in places and secured with chains at several passages. It is demanding, but it calls for no climbing. So you do not need climbing experience, though you do need sure-footedness and a head for heights.
How long does the walk take?
From the Holzegg the ascent takes around one and a half hours and the descent 45 to 60 minutes. Depending on the variant, add the approach from the Rotenfluebahn or from the lift at Brunni.
When is the path open?
Depending on the snow, it is open from about mid-May to early November. The summit hut is the best guide: as long as it is open, the path is in order as well.
Can beginners manage it?
Fit beginners without a fear of heights manage the route well in good conditions. For small children, and for anyone who finds exposed sections unpleasant, it is not suitable.
Is there food at the summit?
Yes, the summit hut serves drinks, simple hot dishes and the well-known nut and almond pastries. Payment there is in cash only.
