Göscheneralpsee Lake Hike

My family loved this gorgeous hike around the Göscheneralpsee lake, tucked high away in the mountains near the Gotthard tunnel.

The views are extra special because of the glaciers hanging on the peaks above the lake. The bright blue water gets its color from the sediment rich water flowing from the ice.

This typical mountain path is well built and suitable for most casual hikers that can manage lots of rocky, uneven terrain. It has one short exposed section with a chain handrail for support, so check out the photos below if that makes you nervous.

Since you don’t have to pay for a cable car, this hike is budget friendly. If you want to spend a weekend here, there are a few mountain huts, including the Bergsee hut where I took my kids to when they were only 5 and 8 years old.

I hope you visit this lake soon!

Gallery

Location

This hike is located in the mountains south of Lucerne, near the Gotthard tunnel. You can reach the Göscheneralpsee lake directly by car or bus, no mountain transport required.

Trail overview

This trail loops around the Göscheneralp lake, as shown by the red line below. 

Point 1 is the parking, bus stop, restaurant and toilet. Point 2 is the Göschenen train station. The yellow line shows the road leading to the dam. Point 3 is the Bergsee mountain hut above the lake.

Hiking map

This is a loop trail, about 9km starting at the Göscheneralp dam. It gains and descends about 450m over the hike, not particularly steep at any given time. We did it clockwise, but I think it might be a little prettier counterclockwise.

Download and print map on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive

Trail conditions

This trail is well built and regularly maintained. Like a typical mountain trail, the path has lots of rough, uneven terrain that requires agility and steady footing. There are rocky sections where you must walk on and over lots of rocks, some of which are unstable.

This trail is not particularly dangerous. But there are some parts where there is a steep slope to one side. There is also one short section traverseing a rock face, with a chain handrail to hold for safety. See pictures below for a better perspective.

Shorter version

If you want a short hike, you could hike to the viewpoint on the northside of the lake. It’s 1 km and about 25 mins, gaining 110m of elevation (see hiking map). There is a white sign labeled “Aussichtspunkt” and a wooden walkway that leads to the bench below. This would be a great place for a picnic.

If you don’t want to hike at all, I still think it’s worth it to just to enjoy the lake view from the dam. From the bus stop and parking, it’s just a 2 min walk to the dam.

How to get there

By bus:

Take a train to Göschenen. From Zürich, there is a direct train but it is often extremely full and you may not get a seat on weekends. So you may consider taking a different connection even though it takes longer.

In Göschenen, transfer to Bus 411 and ride to the end of the line at Göscheneralp, Dammagletscher, about a 43 mins ride.

This bus runs only a few times a day, so check the schedule carefully, especially for the ride back. In 2023, it leaves Göscheneralp at 14:15, 15:15, 16:15 and 17:15. Check current schedule on SBB.ch.

By car:

From the A2 freeway, take exit 40 and drive to Göschenen. If there is a big traffic backup north of the the tunnel, you can get off one exit earlier at 39-Wassen and drive on local roads to Göschenen.

Then follow signs to Göscheneralp, driving on a narrow, winding mountain road about 15 mins to the dam.

At the entrance gate, take a parking ticket which you can pay for at the end of the hike. It costs about CHF 1/hr payable by card.

Note: There is often a traffic backup for several km north of the Gotthard tunnel. Best to avoid holiday weekends or anytime there is expected to be high traffic through the tunnel.

Opening times

There are no particular opening hours for this trail, since it doesn’t require mountain transport.

This trail is usually free of snow from late June to early October. Do not do this trail with snow, which could make conditions very dangerous.

Photo story of trail

Starting the trail

Near the parking you’ll see this sign, pointing in the direction of the lake. You will follow “Göschenealp Seerundweg.” 

We did this clockwise, starting by crossing the dam. But you could go the other direction by hiking up the mountain, starting by following signs to Bergseehütte, then keeping to the left when the trail splits about 30 mins later.

View from the dam across the Göscheneralpsee lake.

Looking back across the dam to where we started the trail.

The trail heading up the mountain. Although you get high above the lake rather quickly, the trail grade is not super steep, with switchbacks making the climb easier.

South side of the lake

Looking back along the trail to the dam.

View of the Chelen glacier at the far side of the lake.

Looking down at the lake as we gain in elevation. From this south side of the trail, the lake is in view almost the whole time. On the second half of the hike, you don’t see the lake as often.

Lots of goats on the trail today. We had make some noise to get them to move.

I hadn’t seen these long haired goats before, very cute.

This sign informs you of a risk of a rockslide for a 600m section. Don’t stop for a picnic on this section. 

Damma glacier

After the first climb, the trail dips down to this river flowing from the Damma glacier above.

This would be a lovely place for a picnic. But it was too early hike for us, only about one hour into the hike.

The river flows down into the Göscheneralpsee lake.

Exposed section with chains

I had heard there was an exposed section with chain, which made me nervous. But it’s very short and not super dangerous, but you do need to be careful. The red line shows approximately where the trail is. The part along the rock has a chain handrail for safety.

Here we are starting that exposed section. If this makes you nervous, then this is probably not a good trail for you. You need to walk carefully, but we didn’t feel that it was particularly difficult or dangerous. 

Then the trail descends to another river at the far side of the lake.

The path is very rocky at times and you need to be careful on loose rock.

This river flows from the Chelen glacier, which created the Chelenalp valley. Your trail loops back along the lake. There is another trail that continues farther up the valley to some mountain huts.

View of the lake from the Chelenalp valley.

Northside of lake

Now the trail traverses the mountain on the north side of the lake. 

The views behind you are often prettier than in front of you.

As you climb higher, you don’t see the water as much as you walk on this side.

After about an hour, you’ll see this white sign pointing to an Aussichtspunkt, aka viewpoint. It’s less than the posted 5 mins to get there and a nice view.

The wooden walkway leads to this bench, nice place for a snack break.

A few switchbacks at the end of the trail.

Arriving back at the Göscheneralp bus stop and parking. There is a free toilet here, a small farm shop and restaurant.

FAQ

Can I bring dogs on this trail?

Dogs are allowed but must be on a lease due to livestock on the alps and for the safety of other hikers on narrow trails.

What to wear

This trail has a lot of uneven and rocky terrain. We suggest sturdy hiking shoes with good tread, preferably boots for ankle support. Hiking sticks could be helpful but some parts are so rocky, you might prefer rubber tips. 

This hike is in the mountains where weather and temperatures can change quickly. Dress appropriate to the weather forecast, bringing layers like a fleece and windbreaker/rain jacket as needed. In warm weather, shorts would be ok as there isn’t tall grass or scratchy bushes to walk through. For sunny days, make sure to bring sunscreen, sun hat, and sunglasses. 

What to bring

Bring at least 1 L of water per person. There is a restaurant and small farm shop at the start of the trail where you could buy drinks and snacks. But no services along the trail. 

Where to stay

We’ve stayed at the Bergsee mountain hut, which is is higher up the mountain on the north side of the lake. From this trail, it’s an extra 1h15 of hiking, gaining another 400m elevation. Read our article about the Bergsee hut. Book hut here.

At the start of the hike, you’ll find the Berggasthaus Dammagletscher hotel and restaurant near the parking and bus stop.

Accessibility

This hike is not suitable for wheelchairs or baby strollers.