The Flumserberg 7 Peak Tour is gorgeous and rewarding hike that explores the backcountry of the Flumserberg resort. I loved every minute and recommend this hike to experienced hikers and older children that can manage very uneven terrain, steep ascents/descents and don’t mind ridges.
Contents
Note: See Flumserberg 4 Peak Tour for an easier version of this hike that is still very beautiful.
| Location: | Eastern Switzerland |
| Car: | Parking next to gondola: Tannenboden (GPS: 47°05’33.4″N 9°16’49.8″E) 1hr15 from Zürich |
| Train: | Train stop: Unterterzen, then gondola up to resort 1hr from Zürich |
| Trail: | 13.5 km, about 5 h |
| Elevation: | 510 m up, 880 m down, highest point 2316m |
| Condition: | red/white mountain trail, dirt path with uneven terrain, steep slopes, exposed areas |
| Skill: | challenging |
| Open: | late June to mid October |
| Cost 2023: | CHF 25 – 40/adult, discount with Swiss travel cards |
| More info: | flumserberg.ch • webcams • weather |
Location
Flumserberg is 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.
Hike overview
I’ve labeled the important points on the Flumserberg summer map and highlighted the trail in yellow.
Hiking map
This trail starts at Maschgenkamm, the top of the BergJet gondola. The trail visits seven peaks as it loops around the backcountry of the resort. It descends to the Seebenalp lake, where you’ll find a restaurant.
From here, we usually hike to Chrüz, so we can ride the Floomzer coaster down to Tannenboden. My hiking map below shows this option. Or you can hike directly to Tannenboden, which increases your distance to 15 km, as shown on the official 7 Peak Tour map.
See trail map on Komoot • SchweizMobil • Flumserberg website
Shorter versions
If you need a shorter hike, you can do the first half of the trail, still a good workout, climbing up and down the first 4 peaks. After about 8 km, you can loop back the Maschgenkamm cable car instead of hiking the rest of the way down the mountain. In this case, the trail is 10.4 km instead of 13.5 km and saves you about 350 m of descent. See trail map on SchweizMobil • Komoot • AllTrails • OutdoorActive.
If you need an easier version, you can do my Flumserberg 4 Peak Tour, which skips the three backcountry peaks and is mostly downhill. This version is 7.2 km and only 90 m ascent. See details.
Trail conditions
The trail has lots of rough uneven terrain that requires agility and steady footing. There are steep climbs without switchbacks, just “steps” in the dirt. There are rocky sections where you must walk on and over lots of rocks.
There are some ridge sections with a cliff on one side and a steep slope on the other. The trail was well built on these sections and set back from the edge. So I didn’t think it was particularly dangerous. But you might not like it if you have a fear of heights.
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.
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 2023, this costs CHF 25/adult, CHF 16,50/youth (age 12-18), under 12 free. SBB Half-fare is accepted. 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.”
In 2023, this costs CHF 39.40/adult, CHF 30.90/youth (ages 12-18), under 12 free. Discount for GA, SBB Half-fare and GA cards. Junior cards accepted for the Unterterzen – Tannenboden section.
Floomzer coaster: If you choose to hike to Chrüz and ride the alpine coaster down to Tannenboden, this costs CHF 14.50/adult, CHF 9.50/youth 12-15, CHF 7.50 child 6-11.
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. However, the last time I went, there was a posted notice at the Unterterzen-Tannenbodenalp cable car saying that SBB Railaway ticket vouchers must be printed or they will not accept them. I don’t know if this is still the case. But I would print your ticket just in case.
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.
Services
There is a restaurant at Maschgenkamm, the start of the trail, and at Seebenalp lake, near the end of the trail. No other services along the trail – no hut, no water, no WC. So bring everything you need for the trail.
Best time to go
This trail is at a high elevation, so best to wait until July so the snow is melted and the grass turns green. 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. The trail may be open through mid-October unless early snow falls. Here’s what the trail looked like 8 Oct 2020 after a snow storm. So better to do this trail earlier in the season.
What to bring
There are no services along this trail. So bring all the food and water you might need for the duration of the hike, about 4.5 hours. I would suggest 1-2 litres of water. I would recommend hiking sticks, which are very helpful on the steep descents. Bring your first aid kit in case of emergency, including a thermal blanket. If you get hurt and have to wait for rescue, most of the trail is quite exposed so you could get cold while you wait.
What to wear
Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good tread because this trail has lots of uneven terrain and steep slopes that require traction. I wore low profile trail running shoes but many other hikers we wearing ankle boots for support. There is only a short section with tall grass, so shorts would be ok on a hot day. Bring layers as weather changes quickly in the mountains. I would suggest at least a rain jacket/windbreaker and fleece for warmth.
Trail impressions
Riding up to Maschgenkamm
At Tannenboden, follow signs to BergJet, which is the gondola up to Maschgenkamm. The entrance is inside the large building shown here.
Inside the building, 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. There are no other services on your trail.
Hik up to Peak 1: Ziger 2074m
The trail starts up this small peak shown here. Follow signs to Zigerfurgglen. FYI, the trails on both sides of the peak also lead to Zigerfurgglen. But if you want to visit the first peak, you gotta climb up. The trail is more like a scramble on parts, having to use your hands to step up some tall rocks. But it’s short and fun. Lots of people do this first peak without doing the rest of the hike.
View back from the Ziger peak back to Maschgenkamm.
Here’s the trail along the Ziger ridge looking towards the next peak, Leist, in the middle of this picture.
Climbing up Peak 2: Leist 2222m
At the junction of the trails shown below, follow the trail straight up the mountain.
Follow the trail sign with the green 7 towards Leist. The trail starts steep with loose rock. Get your hiking sticks out.
Looking back down the trail towards Ziger and Maschgenkamm.
It seems that lots of people were just coming up to Leist for their picnic, then going back down. From Maschgenkamm, it’s about 1.8 km one way to the Leist peak, gaining about 220m of elevation., about 45-60 mins.
To continue the 7 peak trail, follow signs to Hoch Camatsch, still with the green 7 on the sign.
Continue to Peak 3: Rainissalts 2242m
The trail goes down a bit from Leist then back up, first on this nice dirt path. You can see the next two peaks in the distance.
Follow signs to Rainissalts, the next peak. Here is your next climb, only about 70m elevation gain, so don’t worry.
Near the top, the trail gets a little slippery with lots of loose rock. Go slowly.
At the top of Rainissalts 2242m. This pic looks back towards Leist, a tiny speak behind those rock towers.
It’s very round up here, so a good place for a picnic.
Continue to Peak 4: Gulmen 2317m
Down a bit from Rainissalts and back up to Gulmen on the trail shown here.
Gorgeous views on your way up.
Near the peak, the trail gets steep with lots of steps. It’s near the edge of the cliff, but not too close. Very dramatic, one of my favorite parts of the trail.
View from Gulmen back to Rainissalts on the left (round peak with white rock) and Leist in the middle just left of the cliff.
From Gulmen, it’s a crazy steep descent through this grass on dirt “steps” with almost no switchbacks. I relied on my hiking sticks a lot on this section.
Looking back up that trail from Gulmen.
Loop back to Chrüzen
Keep walking straight ahead until you reach this sign. Then turn right, following signs to Chrüzen with the green 7.
The trail goes below and around the north side of the Gulmen peak.
The views from this side of the trail are very mountainous.
At this dairy farm, you’ll turn right and follow the path up the hill, still following signs to Chrüzen.
This climb is steep but short, only about 15 mins.
At the top of the climb, you can see the Churfirsten peaks and even a bit of the Walensee lake below.
Now a beautiful stretch through a rocky landscape towards Chrüzen. You can see the Leist chair lift station where you were a couple hours ago.
Take your time at these ponds enjoying the reflections. Nice place for a picnic.
I took a couple dozen pics here and ran my battery down to nothing. So only a couple more pics of the trail from here.
Down lots of rocks.
Now a lumpy dirt path to the saddle below that peak ahead.
Finish hike to Maschgenkamm
The trail exits the gate shown here, joining a wide dirt path.
From Chrüzen, you can turn right and follow the wide dirt path back to Maschgenkamm, about 2.3 km. This is what I did. This picture is showing that path from the opposite direction, towards Chrüzen. You would be walking the other way towards Maschgenkamm.
If you want to do the full 7 peak tour, from Chrüzen, instead follow the trail on your left up the ridge (as shown below), following signs to the Güslen peak. That trail would be another 5km until you finish at Chrüz. See my 4 Peak Tour post for details on the second half of this trail.
I ended my hike at Maschgenkamm, where I had a late lunch then rode the gondola back to Tannenboden. I hope you love this trail as much as I did.
