This easy winter walk loops around the countryside near the Einsiedeln village, with nice views of the mountains and Sihlsee lake.
This area is relatively low elevation, so it doesn’t always have snow for the full winter season. But when it does, this walking path is groomed with machines, making it easy to walk with regular hiking shoes.
| Region: | Zürich Region, Switzerland |
| Starting point: | near Einsiedeln Kloster |
| By car: | Metered parking at Einsiedeln cemetery – 47°07’49.0″N 8°45’30.9″E) From Zürich about 1hr20-1hr45 |
| By public transport: | train station: Einsiedeln, Bahnhof From Zürich 1hr |
| Trail: | 8.5 km loop |
| Time: | 2h30 |
| Difficulty: | easy |
| Condition: | groomed snow |
| Elevation: | highest point 930m |
| Open: | year round |
| Cost: | free |
| Extras: | no services along the trail, restaurants at start of trail |
| More info: | www.eyz.swiss • webcam • forecast |
Gallery
Trail map
This is a loop trail starting near the Einsiedeln monastery and cemetery. It follows a similar route to the cross-country skiing tracks. It wanders through the countryside near the Sihlsee, with part of the trail along the lakeshore.
This is trail 555 “Sihlsee-Winterwanderung”, clearly marked with pink signs and poles along the way. It took us about 2hr30 walking a moderate pace.
See trail map on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive
Trail conditions
It’s very easy walking, with very little elevation gain or descent. When this area has snow, the trail is groomed with machines so you don’t need snowshoes. If there is no snow, you can usually still walk the trail, but it may be muddy.
Some parts of the trail is on country roads and sidewalks, where you need to watch for coming cars. These road sections had lots of icy patches when we were there, especially on the sections that had been recently ploughed.
Shorter version
The nicest part of the trail is near the lake. So you could do a shorter loop starting at the Sihlseebadi, walking counterclockwise and looping back when you reach the main road Umfahrungsstrasse (see this point on map). That shorter loop would be about 5 km.
How to get there
This winter hike is located in Einsiedeln, southeast of Zurich (see on Google Maps). You can access the trail by car or public transportation. You do not need to ride a cable car.
This hike is a loop, so you can start where you like. I suggest starting near the Einsiedeln village so you can visit a café after your hike.
By public transport
Take a train to Einsiedeln, Bahnhof. From the train station, follow Hauptstrasse, the main street through town towards the monastery. Keep walking past the Kloster to the cross-country ski rental and ticket office (see on map). The winter hiking path starts here, following the pink poles.
By car
Drive to Einsiedeln and park in the metered lot near the ski hill and cemetery, aka Friedhof (at crossing of Birchlistrasse and Lincolnweg – 47°07’49.0″N 8°45’30.9″E). The parking costs about CHF 1/hour. You can pay with parking apps like EasyPark and Twint.
Alternatively, you could park in a free lot by the lake at the Sihlseebadi, aka summer swimming area – 47°08’58.1″N 8°45’51.8″E.
Planning your day
There are restaurants in Einsiedeln near the monastery. There is also a small outdoor cafe at the cross-country kiosk near the start of the trail. But no other services along the trail.
Photo story of trail
If you are starting at the train station, walk through the village to the Kloster. Then keep walking along the main street until you see the cross-country field and ticket office on your right. Just past this, you’ll see the pink winter hiking signs shown below.
If you came by car and parked near the ski parking and cemetery, you’ll see the pink signs near the entrance to the parking.
Follow signs “Winter-Rundwanderung” direction Roblosen.
Cross the street and follow the pink signs pointing down the street between those two houses in the picture.
The trail starts on a country lane, past a few houses.
At this tunnel, you share the trail with cross country skiers for a bit. Stay well to the right side of the trail.
You’ll cross a bridge, then walk on the sidewalk next to the road for a couple minutes. This part is stupid, but don’t get discouraged. You will leave the sidewalk for the lakeshore soon.
At this sign, you are leaving the sidewalk and will follow a footpath next to the cross-country trail. The sign is telling you to not walk on the cross-country path.
Following the rules, walking next to the cross-country path.
Our path was icy and not as nice as the groomed cross-country path.
We crossed over to the lakeshore a couple times to take photos.
Absolutely gorgeous with the frost on the trees.
This is the best part of the trail. Wish there was walking path like this all around the lake.
The lake was very frozen on our visit in January. There are signs next to the lake saying it is forbidden to walk on the ice for safety reasons. But lots of people were doing it.
We only walked a couple meters onto the ice.
Back on the safe path.
Then the path crosses the street and heads up into the hills.
Looking towards Einsiedeln.
Looking back on the trail.
Easy walking on these wide open fields.
Pretty frost
At this sign, it says that you walk 10 mins to a cafe at Roblosen. Don’t believe them. Both times I’ve done this trail, we walked out to Roblosen and the cafe was closed (on the weekend), despite signs along the trail saying it was open. Just skip that detour and follow signs to Einsiedeln.
Even nicer views as you get higher on the hill.
Looping back towards Einsiedeln.
Eventually you reach this country side and you can walk on it or next to it. I wasn’t loving this part of the trail. A few cars passed us, a bit faster than felt comfortable.
The clouds rolled in and the mist overtook the lake. This pic is looking down at the lakeshore we were walking along earlier.
The path forked onto a less used road and this part was a bit nicer.
Passing by a couple farmhouse as we get closer to town.
Almost to Einsiedeln.
A bit steep down this road, which was very icy. Glad to have spikes on our shoes.
You walk through a tunnel under the main road, then walk on this road back into town.
When you reach the big field with the cross-country routes, you cross into that field and follow the walking path back to your starting point.
Next to the cross-country ticket office, there is a little cafe and toilets.
Make sure to visit the Einsiedeln monastery after you walk.
