This groomed winter hiking trail hikes up a sun-facing alp to a mountain restaurant, where you can enjoy refreshments with fantastic view.
You walk up and back the same way, on a wide snowy path groomed with machines. No snowshoes required.
Although there is a small ski area near the start, most of the trail is quiet, just the occasional greeting from other hikers.
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: | 7.8 km round trip |
| Difficulty: | moderate • 360m up & down |
| Condition: | groomed snow |
| Elevation: | 1273m to 1551m |
| 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
The Amden winter trail starts at the Arvenbüel bus stop and parking. First, you walk up a road through the village, next to the ski hill.
You dip into the forest for a few minutes. Then you enter a wide open snow meadow and continue in the sun the rest of the way to the Alpwirtschaft Vorder Höhi hut, which has a cafe and toilet.
Return the same way you came. If you bring snowshoes, you can return on the snowshoe Route 701 instead.
Trail Map
This trail map shows the groomed winter trail from the Amden. It slightly varies from the route shown on SchweizMobil. When you get there, just follow pink signs to Vorder Höhi and you won’t get lost.
See trail map on Komoot • SchweizMobil Route 191
For a longer hike, try the Vorder Höhi snowshoe route.
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, but you can usually still hike it. Check the trail status on SchweizMobil.
Services
Next to the Arvenbüel bus stop, you’ll find a free public toilet. A few minutes into the hike, you’ll 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.
Photo story of trail
1. Starting in Arvenbüel
From the parking, walk up the road paralleling the ski hill, following trail signs to Vorder Höhi.
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 sometimes groomed, but it had just snowed the night before.
We had snowshoes, but you don’t need them on this winter trail.
Pretty views along the way.
The wide winter path winding up the mountain.
Lovely views to your right.
Fork at Altschen
At Altschen, you can continue on groomed winter trail 191, following the pink signs to Vorder Höhi.
The conditions of the path can vary widely. On this day, the snow was very packed and there were ice patches.
Another time after fresh snow, the winter trail was not groomed yet and looked like this. Enough people had walked it that you didn’t need snowshoes.
Looking behind you.
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 on this path to the viewpoint, where you’ll find a cross.
View of Mt Säntis (2502m) and Altmann (2435m) and Toggenburg valley from the Chrüz viewpoint.
Returning the way you came
Just follow the same path back to your starting point. Now you are facing the big mountain view the whole way back.
