Flumserberg 4 Peak Tour

This trail is a shorter, easier version of the Flumserberg 7 Peak Tour – half the distance and a fraction of the climb, visiting 4 of the 7 peaks. But you still get fantastic views and you are rewarded with a thrilling ride on the Floomzer mountain coaster at the end.

This version is perfect for kids and casual hikers that want more of a relaxed day than a fitness challenge. The trail is mostly downhill and not super difficult, suitable for kids over 6 who can go the distance.

This area is nice all summer, but particularly pretty in autumn when the fields turn yellow and blueberry bushes turn red. 

Keep reading for all the details you need to plan this hike.

Location

This trail is located at Flumserberg, a mountain resort in Eastern Switzerland, about 1 hour southeast of Zürich (see on Google Maps). You can drive or take a train to the gondola, which takes you to the start of the trail.

Trail overview

Here’s the Flumserberg summer hiking map, showing the important points and our trail highlighted in yellow. 

From the top of the Maschgenkamm cable car, the trail winds under the big peaks and along a ridge, with beautiful mountain views and the Walensee lake below. Then it heads down to the Seebenalp lake, where you’ll find a restaurant with a small playground. Then through the forest to the summer toboggan, which speeds the remaining 2 km down to your starting point. 

Hiking map

Here’s my detailed trail map of the route we suggest. 

See interactive hiking map on SchweizMobil • Komoot • AllTrails • OutdoorActive

We rode the cable car from Tannenboden to Maschgenkamm. Then we followed signs to Zigerfurgglen, 1 km, to a fork in the trail. Take the trail to the right, following signs to Güslen, about 2.5 km to the viewpoint over the lake. Then down about 2.8 km to Seebenalp, the lake and hotel/restaurant.

Then on a dirt road following signs to Tannenboden for about 1 km, where the trail forks right into the forest, following signs to Chrüz. After another 700m, you exit the forest at the top of the Chrüz lift, where you can buy tix for the Floomzer alpine coaster and ride 2 km back down to Tanndenboden.

Trail alternatives

If you want a longer hike, you can do the full 7 Peak Tour, which is 15 km, a bit shorter if you ride the coaster at the end. Learn more about the 7 Peak Tour.

How to get there

By car

You can drive directly to the Flumserberg mountain resort at Tannenboden (GPS: 47°05’33.4″N 9°16’49.8″E), where there is metered parking next to the gondola station. Do not park at Tannenheim, which also part of Flumserberg but a different part of the resort that doesn’t access your trail.

If you don’t want to drive up the mountain road, you can instead park at Unterterzen near the lake. In this case, you will pay a little more for your gondola tickets to cover the SeeJet gondola from Unterterzen to Tannenboden.

By public transport

Take a train to Unterterzen. The Flumsererg SeeJet gondola station is directly across the street from the train station. You can buy gondola tickets here if necessary. Ride the gondola up to Tannenbodenalp (Bergstation). Then a short walk across the parking lot to the BergJet gondola, which takes you up to Maschgenkamm where the trail starts.

Planning your day

Ticket prices

BergJet gondola only: If you are starting at Tannenboden (you parked there), you need a one way ticket on the Tannenboden-Maschgenkamm cable car to reach the trail.

In 2024, this costs CHF 26/adult, CHF 13/youth (age 12-18), under 12 free. Discount with Swiss Travel Pass, GA, Half Fare travel cards. Junior cards not accepted. 

BergJet + SeeJet gondola: If you came by train or parked in Unterterzen, you need a return trip from Unterterzen – Tannenboden and a one way ticket for Tannenboden – Maschgenkamm. This is called the “Alpöhi-Ticket.” It costs a bit more than just the BergJet ticket.

Floomzer coaster: If you choose to hike to Chrüz and ride the alpine coaster down to Tannenboden, this costs CHF 15/adult, CHF 10/youth 12-15, CHF 7.50 child 6-11. See current Floomzer prices here.

You can pay with cash or card. See current Flumserberg prices.

SBB Railaway often has discounted combo offers for Flumserberg that give a discount on both the train travel and gondola tickets. Search for Flumserberg on the SBB Railaway web page. 

Opening hours

The BergJet gondola from Tannenboden to Maschgenkamm is open from 8:15 to 16:45 from mid-June to mid-October. The SeeJet gondola from Unterterzen (next to the train station) is open 7:30 to 17:45. The Floomzer mountain coaster is open 

It’s open 10:00 to 17:00. You can buy your tickets at the Chrüz ticket office with cash or card.

Where to eat

There is a restaurant at the start at Maschgenkamm, another at Seebenalp lake. There is another restaurant at Chruz next to the mountain coaster and multiple restaurants at Tannenboden. So you can easily buy food and drinks along the way. All of the restaurants have toilets. 

Photo story of trail

Ride from Tannenboden to Maschgenkamm

At Tannenboden, follow signs to BergJet, which is the gondola up to Maschgenkamm. The entrance is inside the large building to your left. 

Go up the stairs/escalator. Scan your ticket and get on the gondola car. 

The gondola takes you up to the Maschgenkamm station shown here. You’ll find a restaurant with outdoor seating, a small play area, and WC. These are your last services until the Seebenalp lake.

The trail starts here, following signs to Zigerfurgglen. If you want to visit the first peak on the trail, follow the trail in the middle that goes up the peak. If you want an easy start, take the flat trail to your right and walk around this peak. The trails all end in the same place on the other side of this Ziger peak.

Coming down the Zigerfurgglen to another fork in the road. You will take the trail heading to the right that cuts across the mountain. If you were doing the 7 peak tour, you’d take the trail straight up that mountain in front of you.

At the junction, turn right, following signs to Seebenalp.

The trail on this part is wide gravel, easy walking.

Nice views to the lake below. It looks close but you won’t be there for awhile.

The flat trail heads over to that ridge. The flat “road” turns right and heads down, don’t take that one.

Taking a break at Chrüzen before heading up the ridge. Here’s where the 7 peak tour loops back to our trail. We’ll try that next time.

There’s a little picnic area with a grill and wood. The view is nice but it’s a little busy for my taste.

On the ridge to the peaks

Heading up the ridge toward Güslen.

Looking back on our trail and at the other peaks we skipped.

Moving forward toward Güslen.

Each peak has a little sign.

At this fork in the road, go left to the Grosse Güslen viewpoint. It’s a short detour and definitely worth it. Afterwards, you can retrace your steps and turn right, which leads down to Seebenalp.

Here are the signs at the fork. We went to the Aussichtspunkt (aka viewpoint).

The trail got a little difficult in this part, with some chains to hold onto as you scramble up the roots.

The viewpoint at Güslen, nice place for a picnic.

Down to Seebenalp lake

Now on the trail down to the lake.

Some tricky footing on this part, lots of mud and some slippery rocks when we were there.

Getting closer.

Nice views from the lake.

Walk around the left side of the lake to reach the hotel/restaurant.

Lots of happy customers sitting on their terrace. They had some yummy autumn dishes on the menu but we just grabbed an ice cream and kept hiking.

Now we’re hiking up the dirt road and looking back at the hotel. There’s a little playground on the side of the hotel.

Hiking up to Chrüz & Floomzer coaster

You walk on a dirt road for about 1 km, a little boring. Don’t miss the trail that breaks off to the right into the forest. This leads to Chrüz and the Floomzer coaster.

Here’s the sign at that crossing. It’s about another 700m to Chrüz.

Riding the mountain coaster

Arriving at Chrüz. We bought our Floomzer tickets here.

Strapping onto the Floomzer. Two people can ride together. You can place your backpack between your legs, which worried me but it was quite secure. If you prefer, they will send your backpack down on the chair lift and you can pick it up later.

Heading out. No cameras allowed on the ride, boo hoo.

The track looks like this.

And this. Really fun, with lots of dips, bumps, and curves.

That’s all folks. Hope you like it!

FAQ

Best time to go

This trail is best starting late June, when the snow is melted and the grass turns green. The wildflowers should be out from mid July to mid August. The trail is also very pretty in late September, when the fields turn yellow and blueberry bushes turn red.

The trail should be open through mid-October unless early snow falls (see example below from 8 Oct 2020). Do not hike this trail immediately after a rain storm as there are many steep sections that would be difficult to manage in slippery mud.

What to bring

Since there are multiple restaurants along this relatively short trail, you don’t have to bring a lot of food unless you want to. But I would suggest bringing at least 1 liter of water per person. Hiking sticks are optional, but I found them helpful on the descent from the last peak down to Seebenalp. 

What to wear

Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good tread. The trail starts on an easy flat surface. But the part along the ridge to the peaks has lots of uneven terrain that require traction. There are a few sections with tall grass and bushes, so I would prefer trousers to protect your legs from ticks and scratches. Bring layers as weather changes quickly in the mountains. I would suggest at least a rain jacket/windbreaker and fleece for warmth.