The Flumserberg Alpenfloraweg is a short loop trail in the mountains south of Zürich. The trail has fantastic mountain views and lots of flowers during the height of summer.
It’s easy walking on the wide gravel/dirt path, making it a good choice for non-hikers, little kids and visitors with mobility issues. The obstacle free path is stroller and wheelchair accessible.
We like this hike for visitors short on time, since it’s close to Zurich and easy to access with public transportation. It’s also good for budget travelers, as it is less inexpensive compared to other more popular mountains.
Not quite what you’re looking for? See more hikes at Flumserberg.
| Region: | Heidiland, Eastern Switzerland |
| Starting point: | Tannenboden-Maschgekamm gondola |
| By car: | Parking: Tannenboden, Flums (47°05’34.0″N 9°16’50.8″E) about 1hr15 from Zurich |
| By public transport: | Train station: Unterterzen + gondola to Tannenboden about 1hr15 from Zurich HB |
| Trail: | 2 km loop • see trail map ↓ |
| Time: | 40 mins |
| Difficulty: | easy stroll |
| Condition: | smooth wide dirt/gravel path, obstacle free, strollers ok |
| Elevation: | highest point 2019m |
| Open: | mid June to mid October |
| Cost 2023: | CHF 33/adult, CHF 21.50/teen, children under 12 free Reductions for SBB GA and Half-fare card. |
| Extras: | no services along the trail |
| More info: | www.flumserberg.ch • webcam • forecast |
Location
This trail is located at the Flumserberg mountain resort in eastern Switzerland.
Hiking map
The trail is a short loop at the top of the Tannenboden-Maschgenkamm gondola.
See trail map on Komoot.
Longer option:
After the loop, you can continue on the Alpenfloraweg to the top of the Prodkamm chair lift. This adds 1.75 km, about 40 mins. See trail map.
If you want to do this variation, you’ll need a different ticket that includes one way up to Maschgenkamm and one way down from Prodkamm to Tannenheim. Then you can take a bus back to Tannenboden where you left your car.
How to get there
This trail is accessed from the Tannenboden-Maschgenkamm gondola (not to be confused with the Tannenheim-Prodalp gondola that also belongs to the Flumserberg resort).
By car: Drive to Flums, then up the mountain to Tannenboden, which is a well-maintained two lane road but lots of winding curves, about 20 mins. Park in the metered lot next to the gondola. In 2022, it was CHF 6 for 5 hours.
If you prefer to not drive up the mountain, you can instead park at Unterterzen in the valley (near Walenseestrasse 18, 8882 Quarten). The parking is metered in Unterterzen, don’t forget to pay. At Unterterzen, you can ride a gondola up to Flumserberg Tannenboden, about a 20 min ride. There is an extra charge for this part of the journey. Once in Tannenboden, walk about 250m up the road to the Maschgenkamm gondola.
By public transport: Take a train to Unterterzen. There is a direct train from Zürich HB that runs hourly on the xx:37. The cable car station is conveniently adjacent to the train station. Take the gondola up to Tannenboden, then walk about 250m up the road to the Maschgenkamm gondola.
Tickets prices
From Tannenboden, you need a return ticket on the BergJet gondola from Tannenboden to Maschgenkamm. In 2022, this ticket costs CHF 32/adult, CHF 21/youth (age 12-18). Children under 12 accompanied by an adult ride free.
If you are riding up from Unterterzen to Tannenboden (on the SeeJet gondola), you will pay extra for this part of the journey. In 2022, the Unterterzen-Tannenboden return ticket costs CHF 14.40/adult. Reductions for SBB GA, Half-fare, children and other Swiss travel passes. SBB Junior card rides free.
See current Flumserberg prices.
Opening hours
The Flumserberg lifts usually run from mid-June to mid-October. However, hiking trails may not be accessible until July. So check trail status before heading out. The BergJet gondola to Maschgenkamm usually runs from 8:15 to 16:45. See current operating times.
Photo story
Take the gondola from Tannenboden to Maschgenkamm. At the top, you’ll sometimes find some play equipment, which seems to change every time we go. Last time we went there was a water play area. Sometimes there’s been a trampoline and a climbing structure, one time a zip line. No guarantees.
At the gondola station, you’ll find a café with a nice patio. Another restaurant is a short walk south down the trail. It only has a few tables so on busy days, they might not be able accommodate you. Last time we went it was cash only.
From the top of the Maschgenkamm gondola, follow the Alpenfloraweg trail, about 2km and about 40 minutes with slow-walking kids. It’s flat, easy and short. Here is my pregnant belly from many years ago demonstrating the “accessible to all” nature of this trail.
My 80+ grandmother is demonstrating the suitability of this trail for all ages. Even though we also took her to a famous mountain, she loved Flumserberg and felt like she was getting the “real” Swiss alps experience.
So many beautiful flowers along the way.
More of the trail. There are lots of benches if tired legs need to rest or you want to break out picnic.
Super nice even on cloudy days.
The far side of the loop. Various trails take off in different directions here. To keep on the loop, just always take the trail on your right, following the curve of the mountain. You won’t get lost.
Our 3yr old hikers taking a rest on a late September day. Pretty in fall too.
Great views of the various peaks along the trail.
View down to the Seebenalp area. You can hike there on the 4 Peak trail if you like.
See also: Best Swiss hikes for beginners
6 Responses
We did the stroller hike on flower trail. Sadly, we didn’t have half-tax-card by that time and couldn’t order it online (requires identity check or perhaps the swisspass does).
The prices in August 2022 were: 32 CHF/adult or 16 CHF with half-tax.
Sorry you couldn’t get the half-fare card last minute. You can only get that card at a train station with a ticket office and you have to show ID for the child. Thanks for the updated prices. I’ve updated the post.
Such a great resource for discovering this amazing country! Thank you so much for all the posts!
We did the 4 peak trail last week and the car park at Tannenboden is no longer for free. We paid ca. CHF 6 for 5 hours. It must be quite recent that they start charging, it is even indicated on a big road sign that you have to pay now.
Thanks for reminding me to update the note about parking. Yes, this parking fee is a recent change. Glad you had a nice time though.
Thanks for the article. Went to Flumserberg today for another hike which was heavy (7+ hours) but the views were totally worth it – https://www.flumserberg.ch/Summer/Activities/Hiking/“7-Peaks-and-14-Lake-Views”-tour.
Exciting! This is at the top of my To-Do list. I hope I get to it this summer. I was thinking of doing a modified version that goes to all the big peaks at the top but loops back to Maschgenkamm instead of all the way back to Tannenboden, so only about 7km and less descent. Let me know if you have any tips.