This snowshoe trail loops around the sunny slopes of Amden, a small mountain area southeast of Zürich. This trail is great for a budget, since it does not require mountain transport.
Most of the trail wanders over snowy meadows with a few sections in the forest, particularly lovely when covered in snow or frost. At the far side of the loop, you get fantastic views of the Churfirsten and Alpstein mountain ranges, including Mt Säntis.
Keep reading for all the info you need to do this snowshoe hike.
Contents
Quick Info
| Region | Eastern Switzerland – Heidiland |
| Starting point: | Arvenbüel |
| By car: | Metered parking – Chapfstrasse, 8873 Amden From Zürich 1hr |
| By public transport: | Bus stop: Arvenbüel, Arven From Zürich 1h25 |
| Trail: | 3h • ⬇️trail map |
| Distance: | 9.3 km loop |
| Difficulty: | moderate • 400m up & down |
| Condition: | marked snowshoe trail |
| Elevation: | 1240m to 1600m |
| Open: | Dec to March, assuming snow |
| Cost: | free |
| Services: | restaurant & WC at start and middle point |
| More info: | www.amden-weesen.ch • trail status • weather • webcam |
Gallery
Trail Overview
Snowshoe Route 701 Vorder Höhi is a loop starting at the Arvenbüel parking and bus stop. It hikes up to the Alpwirtschaft Vorder Höhi hut, which has a cafe and toilet.
I prefer to hike clockwise so you start in the sun. The second half is in the shade in the morning.
Option A: After the hut, we prefer to hike the upper trail that stay a higher elevation in the sun. The 701 snowshoe route hikes down to the forest and doesn’t have as nice of views. The upper trail eventually turns into the winter hiking trail 191.
Option B: If you need a shorter loop, you can fork on Route 702 – Egg-Rör Trail. This shorter loop is only 5 km, with about half the elevation gain/descent.
Option C: If there are good snow conditions and low avalanche risk, some snowshoe hikers will loop around the Flügespitz peak as shown on the map. We did this on our last visit and it was lovely. But the terrain is more difficult and you must assess the avalanche risk before proceeding.
Trail Map
My suggested route goes clockwise, starting on snowshoe Route 701 and ending in winter trail Route 191.
See trail map on Komoot • SchweizMobil
How to get there
This trail is located in Amden, a mountain village southeast of Zürich. The trail starts in Arvenbüel, a few minutes past the main village.
By public transport:
Take a train to Ziegelbrücke, then bus to Arvenbüel, Arven (end of the line). Remember to check the bus schedule on SBB.ch before hiking, as the bus runs infrequently.
By car:
There is a large parking at Chapfstrasse, 8873 Amden. Remember to pay the meter!
Planning your day
When to go
This trail is usually open from late December to March. But because of the low elevation, there isn’t always full snow coverage here. We’ve done this trail a couple times and only used the snowshoes for a small portion of the trail.
You can check the trail status on SchweizMobil.
The southeast part of the loop is in the shade in the morning. So if you are starting early, better to hike clockwise.
Services
Next to the Arvenbüel bus stop, you’ll find a free public toilet. If you hike clockwise, you starts parallel to the ski hill and pass Restaurant Monte Mio before you enter the forest.
The Alpwirtschaft Vorder Höhi hut is at the far end of the loop. They serve drink, snacks, and a couple simple hot meals like soup and sausages. Cash only! No picnics.
During winter season (mid Nov to mid April), they are usually open daily 10:00 – 16:00 in good weather. But if you are counting on them for lunch, check their website to see if they are open.
Snowshoe rental
Next to the Arvenbüel parking, Gmür Sport Shop usually has their rental station. They rent snowshoes with poles.
Photo story of trail
I will describe this trail going in a clockwise direction. But you can do it in reverse.
1. Starting in Arvenbüel
From the parking, walk up the road paralleling the ski hill, following trail signs to Vorder Höhi. We usually don’t need to put on our snowshoes until we reach the forest.
You’ll pass Restaurant Monte Mio near the top of the ski hill.
When you leave the ski hill behind and enter the forest, you’ll see this sign. Follow the pink signs for the winter hiking trail.
A bit through the forest.
2. Winter trail in the sunshine
After the forest, you spill into this big open snow field. This is normally a groomed path, but it has just snowed the night before.
Here’s what the trail looks like when its groomed.
At Altschen, the trail splits as you can see below, with tracks going in multiple directions.
At Altschen, you can follow the groomed winter trail 191, as shown here, leading to Vorder Höhi.
This picture shows how the snowshoe route stays much lower down the mountain. The views are better if you stay on the higher winter trail.
On the higher path after fresh snow, almost to Vorder Höhi
Looking back on the trail.
3. Vorder Höhi Hut
Arriving at the hut. There are picnic tables outside, but you can only sit there if you buy food. No picnics.
They have a small, simple offering: cold cheese & meat platters, homemade cake, chips, coffee, soda, beer, wine & schnaps. Sometimes they have hot soup and grilled sausages.
View from the hut.
4. Chrüz Viewpoint
After the hut, you’ll see this trail sign. We suggest the short detour to the Chrüz viewpoint.
It’s slightly uphill to Chrüz, marked by this cross.
View of Mt Säntis (2502m) and Altmann (2435m) and Toggenburg valley from the Chrüz viewpoint.
5. Across to Schiblerwiti pass
From Chrüz, you can cut across the snow to join the marked snowshoe route. Head for the trees and look for the pink poles.
Looking back on our crew leaving the Chrüz viewpoint.
Nice place for a group pic.
The pink poles mark the official snowshoe route, which leads up the hill into the forest.
This section in the forest can be a bit steep but it’s short. It’s much prettier when there is snow or frost on the trees, otherwise just barren and chilly.
A break in the forest as we reach the next fork in the trail. See the trail sign ahead?
A last look at Mt Säntis
This trail sign is at Schiblerwiti (1567m). For the main trail, follow Route 701 signs to Egg and Arvenbüel.
6. Optional detour around Flugespitz peak
On a recent visit, we saw some snowshoe tracks taking a detour. We chatted with a local who had done this detour many times so we decided to try it.
It loops around the Flugespitz peak and rejoins Route 701 on the other side. It was very beautiful, but more difficult terrain and steeper slopes that could pose an avalanche risk, depending on the conditions.
The authorities are not controlling this area, so you go at your own risk. I just post the pics so you know what’s over there in case you decide to try it.
7. Down to Egg
Now on the main trail, facing a spectacular view as we descend.
Loved these rolling meadows, looking across at the TektonikArena Sardona mountain range.
Looking back up the trail.
So happy to be in the sunshine! We didn’t need snowshoes on this day as the snow was tamped down by other hikers.
8. Final downhill to Arvenbüel
You’ll see this sign at Egg (1474m). If you were doing the shorter loop, this is the trail that cuts over to the other side of the loop. We stayed on the 701 trail headed to Arvenbüel.
The trail goes down this slope.
Then you hike through the forest. The trail is on a service road, so pretty wide and flat.
As you descend, the snow conditions are often spotty here.
Getting close to the village and ski area.
Joining the road that leads back to the parking.
I hope you enjoy this snowshoe trail!
➡️ See more snowshoe trails near Zürich.
