This short and easy winter walk is located at Amden, a small ski area southeast of Zürich. To reach the trail, you ride a slow chair lift up the mountain. Then enjoy a leisurely stroll along a groomed winter path to the mountain pass.
There are two restaurants in the area, so you can spend more times with the views. This is a great place to get above the valley fog and soak in the sunshine.
Contents
Quick Info
| Region | Eastern Switzerland – Heidiland |
| Starting point: | Mattstock chair lift – Ruestelstrasse 20, 8873 Amden |
| By car: | Metered parking at Dorfstrasse 18, 8873 Amden From Zürich 50 mins |
| By public transport: | Bus stop: Amden, Dorf From Zürich 1h15 |
| Trail: | 1h15 • ⬇️trail map |
| Distance: | 4 km round trip |
| Difficulty: | easy • 160 m up & down |
| Condition: | groomed winter trail |
| Elevation: | 1286m to 1418m |
| Open: | Dec to March, assuming snow |
| Cost: | cable car return ticket |
| Services: | restaurant & WC at start and middle point |
| More info: | trail status • weather • webcam |
Trail Overview
This winter trail starts at the top of the Mattstock chairlift in Amden. You walk to the mountain pass at Hinter Höhi and back the same way.
Options: After Hinter Höhi, you can usually walk a bit further on the service road. Eventually it turns into a footpath on the Höhenweg trail, which continues to Arvenbüel. If you have snowshoes or there is little snow, you may be able to hike all the way to Arvenbüel.
Trail Map
This map shows the official winter hiking trail from the Mattstock chair lift to Hinter Höhi and back.
See trail map on Komoot • SchweizMobil
If you’d like a longer hike, try the Amden Vorder Höhi winter hike, which is about 8 km round trip.
How to get there
This trail is located in Amden, a mountain village southeast of Zürich.
This trail is accessed by the Mattstock chairlift, which is located in the Amden village – Ruestelstrasse 20, 8873 Amden.
By public transport:
Take a train to Ziegelbrücke, then bus 650 to Amden, Dorf. The Mattstock lift is a short walk from bus stop.
By car:
Drive to Amden and park in the metered lot along the main road – Dorfstrasse 18, 8873 Amden (shown below). You can pay for the parking with coins or mobile apps like ParkingPay or EasyPark. It’s about a 5 min walk to the chair lift.
Planning your day
Where to eat
At the top of the chair lift, there is Restaurant Walau. About a 7 min walk from the chair lift, you’ll reach Strichbode Alpstübli, which also has a restaurant. Both are usually open when the chair lift is open.
What to wear
Best to wear waterproof winter boots that are comfortable for walking. We like to bring hiking sticks in case there is uneven snow and ice patches that make walking a bit difficult.
Photo story of trail
1. Riding the chair lift
This is the Mattstock chair lift. You can purchase tickets here.
It’s a 2-person chair lift, no bubble. It’s a very slow ride to the top.
Pretty transition from green alps to winter wonderland.
At the top, there is a restaurant with toilets. Follow signs to Hinter Höhi.
2. Starting the trail
From the top of the chairlift, follow the groomed winter path to the right. It’s a service road, so often the snow is packed down by the tire tracks.
View towards the Arvenbüel ski area to the southeast.
Nice views in every direction.
After a few minutes, you’ll reach Strichbode Alpstübli, which has a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. They are open Tu-Sun 9:00 – 17:00 in good weather when the chair lift is running.
Looking back at the restaurant.
The trail is very easy, only slightly uphill.
One happy customer.
Now we can see Mt Säntis in the distance.
3. Arriving at Hinter Höhi pass
The trail flattens out right before you reach Hinter Höhi, the mountain pass. There are no services here.
The Hinter Höhi trail officially ends at this trail sign. But you can keep walking a bit further as conditions allow.
We wandered down this road awhile, enjoying the snowy landscape.
I thought we might get a clear view to the valley on the other side of the mountain, but we could only just see Mt Säntis in the distance.
It was a real winter wonderland on the day we went.
The service road went as as Stöckletsiten. Then the trail becomes a footpath and more difficult to walk without snowshoes. So best to turn around here.
4. Walking back
You walk back the same way you came, facing the big mountains. Ride the chair lift back to your car or bus stop.
