Stoos Ridge Hike: Route, Lifts and Tips (Klingenstock–Fronalpstock)

The ridge walk between the Klingenstock (1,935 m) and the Fronalpstock (1,921 m) is one of the best known high-level trails in Switzerland. Over 4.7 kilometres the path follows a grassy ridge that rises and falls over one hump after another. Lake Lucerne lies around 1,500 metres below. On a clear day you can count ten lakes on the horizon. The walk takes about two hours and is graded moderate (T2). Even getting there is unusual, because the ride up to Stoos is on the steepest funicular in the world. This article from the canton of Schwyz sets out the route, the details on lift operations and tickets, and a few tips you would otherwise only pick up on site.

The key facts

What makes this walk special

Ridge trails usually call for alpine experience. The ridge at Stoos is an exception, because the path is well built and carefully maintained. That is why experienced but unhurried walkers can safely follow a genuine ridge crest here. To the north you look down on Lake Uri, whose steep shores are reminiscent of a fjord. To the south the Muota valley opens up, with the peaks of the central Alps behind it. The view changes a little behind every hump, so allow plenty of time for breaks and photographs.

The way up is worth a closer look as well. On its steepest section the Stoosbahn from Schwyz climbs a gradient of 110% (47.7 degrees) and holds a world record with it. Its barrel-shaped cabins rotate during the ride so that the floor always stays level.

The route step by step

1. Valley station Schwyz → Stoos. The funicular covers 744 metres of ascent in 7 minutes and brings you to the car-free mountain village of Stoos (1,305 m).
2. Stoos → Klingenstock chairlift. From the top station it is about a 15-minute walk through the village.
3. Klingenstock (1,935 m) → ridge. The ridge trail (route 83) towards the Fronalpstock starts right at the top station of the chairlift.
4. The ridge. For around 2 hours the path runs steadily up and down along the crest. It is narrow in places and the grass slopes on both sides are steep. The trail itself is well built, and steeper passages are eased with steps. Sure-footedness is enough; there is no scrambling anywhere.
5. Fronalpstock (1,921 m). At the end you will find viewing platforms high above the lake and the panoramic terrace of the summit restaurant.
6. Descent. The two-stage chairlift takes you back down to Stoos. You can also walk down on the Chänzeliweg (4.3 km, about 1¼ hours).

Which direction? The usual direction is from the Klingenstock to the Fronalpstock. That way the panorama gradually widens along the route, the restaurant is at the end rather than the start, and the chairlift at the Fronalpstock runs later in the afternoon than the one at the Klingenstock.

Season and operating times

Many visitors do not realise that the full ridge hike depends on three lifts: on the Stoosbahn, which runs all year, and on the Klingenstock and Fronalpstock chairlifts. The Klingenstock chairlift is the decisive one. It runs only in the summer half of the year and stops in the late afternoon. Current operating days and times are listed on the Stoosbahnen website.

Outside that period you can still take the Stoosbahn and the chairlift up to the Fronalpstock. The viewpoint and the panoramic circular trail remain accessible as well. Only the classic traverse with the support of the lifts is not possible. Anyone who wishes to can walk up to the ridge on foot.

Always check current lift operations and the condition of the paths before you travel. In early summer there are sometimes old snowfields, and in autumn closures can occur. For the current weather, see the weather page for Stoos.

Tickets and the Swiss Travel Pass

• Stoos return (funicular from Schwyz or cable car from Morschach): current fares are listed on the Stoosbahnen website.
• Peak Experience ticket: this ticket suits the ridge hike best. It is valid on all the lifts at Stoos, including both chairlifts.
• Swiss Travel Pass: the funicular and the cable car from Morschach are fully included. For the chairlifts above the village you pay extra, so it is worth comparing with the Peak Experience ticket.
• Half Fare Card: 50% reduction.

Fares and operating times change with the season, so check the official Stoosbahnen website shortly before your visit.

How difficult is the walk?

The hike is easier than the photographs suggest, but it is not a stroll. The path is graded T2, technically exposed nowhere and without any scrambling. Families with children walk it regularly. With children and a picnic you should allow around three hours. What matters:

• Good shoes. Wear hiking boots or solid trail shoes, because the grass slopes beside the path really are steep.
• Some stamina. The ridge goes up and down constantly. Although you start high up, that adds up to about 400 metres of ascent.
• A look at the weather. There is no shelter on the open ridge. In wind, rain or fog it is better to postpone the walk, because in that weather you will see nothing of the view the hike is all about.

Insider tips

• Start early or later. On summer weekends it is busiest from late morning until early afternoon. Take one of the first lifts, or set off in the early afternoon instead. In that case keep an eye on the last descents.
• Go during the week. On weekdays the lifts and the ridge are noticeably quieter than at weekends, when many day visitors from Zurich and Lucerne come up to Stoos.
• Combine it with a boat trip. Travel by boat to Brunnen and take the cable car up to Stoos via Morschach. You return with the funicular to Schwyz. That combines lake, mountain village and ridge into a round trip through central Switzerland.
• Stop for a meal at the top. From the terrace of the restaurant on the Fronalpstock you look straight out over the lake. If you like, you can stay the night at the summit hotel and watch the sunrise over the ridge.
• Take water with you. There is no water along the way, so fill your bottles in the village. There are toilets at the top stations of both chairlifts.

Getting there in brief

Take the train to Schwyz. From Lucerne that takes about 45 minutes, from Zurich around 1 hour with a change at Arth-Goldau. From the station, bus 501 takes you to the "Schwyz, Stoosbahn" stop in 20 minutes. From Lucerne to the ridge you are travelling about one and a half hours in total.

FAQ

How long does the Stoos ridge hike take?

The walking time alone is around two hours. With the lift rides and breaks you should allow about four hours. If you stop to eat on the Fronalpstock it takes correspondingly longer.

Is the ridge hike dangerous?

No. The path is well built and graded T2, and the steep passages are eased with steps. Because the slopes beside the path fall away steeply, you do need sure-footedness and good footwear. There is no scrambling anywhere.

Can the walk be done without the chairlifts?

Yes. The large circuit from Stoos over both summits is around 13 kilometres long. It covers a good 1,050 metres of ascent and takes about five hours.

Is Stoos included in the Swiss Travel Pass?

The funicular from Schwyz and the cable car from Morschach are fully included. For the chairlifts up to the Klingenstock and the Fronalpstock you pay extra.

When is the best time for the ridge hike?

The walk is at its finest between late June and early October on a clear day, ideally early in the morning. In September the weather is settled and there are noticeably fewer people about.

Can children come along?

Yes, with children who are used to walking the route is quite manageable. Stay close together on the narrow sections of the ridge and allow around three hours.