Andermatt Culinary Trek

On this round trip outing, you explore the mountains above Andermatt and eat at three restaurants along the way. Start with a morning croissant and coffee while the kids enjoy the alpine playground and climbing wall. Then a short hike across the mountain through a rocky landscape and past a gorgeous lake.

Reward your efforts with a hearty lunch and a spectacular view at 2600m. Then either ride or hike down to the mountain pass for dessert and a beautiful train ride back to your starting point in Andermatt. It’s a lovely way to spend a whole day in the mountains without working too hard.

Note: We did this hike as part of a trip hosted by Andermatt Holiday Region tourism.

Location

Andermatt is a mountain village in the middle of Switzerland, about 1 hr south of Lucerne by car. See on Google Maps.

Overview

This image shows all the important parts of the trail. I would plan about 4-5 hours for the full round trip.

Hiking map

This hiking map shows the trail from the top of the Gütsch gondola to the top of the Schneehüenderstock gondola, where you’ll also find the restaurant. The first 3 km are quite easy on a wide dirt and rock path. For the last kilometer, you fork left onto steep rocky switchbacks that lead up the mountain. This part takes some fitness but it is not particularly dangerous.

View interactive trail map, download GPX, and print map on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive

Optional hike down

From your lunch place at Schneehüenderstock, you can ride the gondola down to Oberalppass. Or you can hike down using the map shown below. We did the hike and really enjoyed it. It’s a bit more work than the first trail above, best done with hiking sticks. But still moderate difficulty and not particularly dangerous.

View interactive trail map, download GPX, and print map on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive

How to get there

This outing starts near the Andermatt train station, at the Gütsch Express gondola. At the end of the culinary trek, you will return to Andermatt by train.

By car

Drive to Andermatt and park near the train station. We suggest the P1 or P2 outdoor parking just north of the train station (46°38’19.9″N 8°35’31.9″E). See more Andermatt parking options. From these parking lots, walk into the train station and follow signs to Gütsch Express gondola, which is accessed by a tunnel inside the train station.

By public transport

Take a train to Andermatt, Bahnhof. Follow signs in the train station to the Gütsch Express gondola.

Ticket prices

The Andermatt Culinary Trek has a package price that includes the food at all three restaurants and the gondolas and train ride required to do the loop.

In 2022, this package costs CHF 75/adult, CHF 41/child. Discount with Andermatt Guest Card Gold, SBB GA, Half-fare, and Junior Card.

They recommend that you book this package online as there are limited spots. If you book online, bring your voucher to the ticket office in the train station to exchange for your gondola tickets and stamp card for the restaurants. Book online here.

If you want to do this as a day trip from Zürich, Lucerne, Basel, or Locarno, you can book a combo package that includes your train travel to and from Andermatt with Trento Gottardo. Learn more.

Opening hours

This summer outing is available from early July to mid October, the same schedule as the gondola and restaurants. The first ride up the Gütsch gondola is 9:00. Last ride down from Schneehünderstock to Oberalppass is 16:15. See current opening hours.

Photo story of trail

Riding up the Gütsch-Express gondola

From the train station, walk through this tunnel following signs to Gütsch-Express.

Here’s the Gütsch-Express gondola station. Scan your tickets here. 

Riding up the gondola looking back to Andermatt.

Matti Family Paradise alpine playground

Get off the gondola at the Nätschen middle station. The playground is just below the station as shown here. It has two long slides and trampolines on this Swiss flag. This picture was taking in summer 2022 when the playground was brand new and the grass was still growing in.

There are lot of different kids of obstacles so children of all ages will find something to enjoy here.

Climbing is a theme on much of the play equipment.

Morning snack at Nätschen Restaurant

At the Nätschen Restaurant next to the playground, show your Culinary Trek stamp card to get a croissant and coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

If the weather turns chilly, the restaurant has a large indoor play area for kids next to the indoor seating.

Matti Climbing Paradise

Behind the restaurant, you’ll find the Climbing Paradise. For CHF 5/person, you can climb this wall as many times as you like. There are four safety ropes that use an auto belay system, so you don’t need climbing experience. Once your harness is attached to the auto belay, you can sit back into your safety harness and the rope will slowly lower you down to the ground. 

Each rope has routes of varying difficulty, so beginners to advanced can have fun here. The climbing guide speaks English and is very friendly and helpful. The climbing wall is open Mon-Fri 11.30 16:00, Sat-Sun 9:30-12.00 and 12:30-15:30. On sunny weekends, you may need to wait a bit for your turn.

Hiking from Gütsch to Schneehüenderstock

When you are ready to hike, get back on the gondola and ride further up the mountain to Gütsch. Follow signs to Schneehüenderstock.

The trail starts by traversing the rocky mountain on a relatively easy wide path.

Along the way you’ll pass the lovely Lutersee lake. It’s worth a short detour to walk down to the water.

At this sign, fork to your left, following the Schneehüenerstock sign the points uphill. 

It’s about 1 km uphill, gaining about 250 m of elevation. The path is very rocky with switchbacks.

As you get closer to the top, you’ll see the gondolas going up and down.

You’ll pass this small pond which has gorgeous reflections if the weather is calm.

Here’s the Schneehüenderstock cable car station. To reach the restaurant, go through the doors and walk downstairs.

Lunch at Schneehüenerstock 

At the restaurant, show your stamp card again and get your lunch of traditional Älpermagronen, a cheesy pasta with fried onions, ham and applesauce (vegetarian and vegan options available). They have indoor seating next to big windows.

We preferred eat outside to be closer to the view. It was a little chilly the day we were there. But they have lots of fluffy blankets to keep you warm.

The way back to where we started our hike.

Hike down to Oberalppass (optional)

If you are done hiking, simply ride the gondola down to Oberalppass and skip to the next section for dessert.

If you want to hike down like we did, follow signs to “Fellilücke/Oberalppass,” not the signs “Lutersee/Oberalppass.” From Schneehüenerstock, it’s almost 4 km descending 550m of elevation. It took us about 1hr40.

The trail starts very rocky leading towards more peaks.

Then the trail heads down along the stream through meadows. We loved spending more time with this beautiful landscape. 

We crossed a lot of streams, even in late summer after a long drought. So I expect in July, the streams may be more full and you’ll need to cross carefully to avoid wet feet.

Some stairs on the trail.

Now the Oberalppass is in sight. The last restaurant is next to the train station and lake.

Arriving at Oberalppass for dessert

After you ride down the gondola or finish your second hike, go to Gasthaus Piz Calmot, the last stop on the tour. Show your stamp card and get dessert and coffee. 

The train station is just below the restaurant. In 2022, the train to Andermatt leaves hourly at xx:53 and takes 29 mins. Keep an eye on your watch so you don’t miss it. Check current train schedule.

The train drops you back at your starting point at the Andermatt train station. From here you can walk to your car or hotel or catch another train back home.

I hope you enjoy it!

Where to stay in Andermatt

Note: Our overnight stay was hosted by Andermatt Holiday Region

Although Andermatt is a small village, it has many hotels and holiday apartments, from classic Swiss inns to modern hotels. We stayed at the Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen, Andermatt in a two bedroom residence. It’s conveniently located a short walk from the train station, Gütsch-Express gondola and village center. So we never needed our car during our stay. 

It was beautiful and comfortable apartment with two roomy bedrooms, two baths, a kitchen and dining area, cozy living room and balcony with a mountain view. 

At any accommodation, overnight guests receive a free Guest Card Crystal which includes a variety of discounts and vouchers for amusements in the Andermatt Holiday Region. For a fee, you can upgrade this free pass to Guest Card Gold for 2 – 7 days, which includes free use of the four mountain railways in the region.