Grosser Mythen • Peak hike near Lucerne

This impressive peak is an icon of central Switzerland, so it’s very satisfying to reach the top and do a little victory dance. The panorama views are spectacular and it’s fun to look around at other familiar hiking areas, like Stoos and Rigi, from this vantage point. At the top, there is a small partially fenced observation area and a mountain hut serving drinks, cakes, and simple meals.

It’s a demanding mountain trail, very rocky, with exposed sections and often hand rails for balance. People have died on this trail, so please take it seriously and know what you are getting into. It’s so popular that you’ll see lots of inexperienced, unprepared people on the trail (flimsy shoes, no hiking sticks, no backpack with supplies, no water). They might be fine, but I know you can do better.

Location

The Grosser Mythen peak is located south of Zürich and east of Lucerne. You can access the trail by cable car or car.

Overview of Mythen Region

Here is the summer map for the Mythen region.

There are multiple ways to reach the trail that starts at Holzegg.

1. From Zürich, best to ride the cable car from Brunni Alpthal to Holzegg, which drops off very close to the start of the peak climb. See trail map.
2. From Lucerne, it’s better to take the Rotenflue gondola instead, which is much closer to Lucerne by car or public transport. This adds 1.4 km and 160 m elevation descent before you start the peak climb. See trail map.
3. If you want to save money, you can drive to the Ibergeregg mountain pass and hike about to Holzegg. This adds 3.2 k and 220 m elevation gain to Holzegg before you start the peak climb. See trail map.

In any case, once you reach Holzegg, it’s 1.75 km on rocky switchbacks to the top of the Grosser Mythen peak at 1800m. 

Hiking map

From Zürich area with Brunni Holzegg cable car

This map shows the trail starting from the top of the Brunni Holzegg cable car to the Grosser Mythen. I would plan for about 2 hours round trip.

You can skip the Holzegg cable car if you prefer, which adds 1.8 km and 270 m elevation gain. I usually ride the cable car up, then after the peak hike, hike down to Brunni to add a little more distance to a relatively short hike. See trail map.

From Lucerne region with Rotenfluebahn

If you are coming from the Lucerne area, it’s faster to reach this area with the Rotenfluebahn gondola instead of the Holzegg cable car. This adds a little to your hiking time. See trail map.

Free version from Ibergeregg pass

If the cable car is not running or you want to skip it, you can hike to Holzegg from either Brunni-Alpthal or Ibergeregg as described below. This is a good idea to save money on gondola fees, go outside of normal operating times (like for a sunrise hike), or if there is a big line for the cable car. 

The hike across from Ibergeregg is a bit longer at 3.45 km each way, but it’s rather easy with no big climbs on your way to the peak. The downside is driving up the narrow winding mountain road to the pass. The drive from the Einsiedeln side (east) is much milder than from the Rotenflue/Schwyz side (west). (As of May 2020, the west side is under construction and closed during the day, don’t know when it opens). At the Ibergeregg pass, park next to the restaurant and pay for your parking at the meter (coins only). Follow signs to Holzegg, then join the Grosser Mythen trail. See trail map.

Getting there

From Brunni-Alpthal Holzegg cable car:

By car: Drive to Brunnistrasse 14, 8849 Alpthaland park in the metered parking adjacent to the cable car station. Bring coins for the meter.

By public transport: Take a train to Einsiedeln, then bus 554 to Brunni SZ, Talstation LBH. This bus runs about once an hour.

On your way home, the bus runs in the afternoon at 13:00 and 14:30 and after that hourly until 19:30. So make sure to time your journey so you don’t miss the bus and have to wait an hour for the next one. The Holzegg cable car takes about 5 mins to get to the Brunni bus stop and the trail from Holzegg down takes about 35 mins to walk down. 

Cable car ticket prices: Seilbahn Brunni-Holzegg is a cable car that fits 15 people. It runs from 8:00 to 17:00, runs at least every half-hour. It will run more often based on demand.  In 2021, a return trip costs CHF 15/adult, CHF 7.50/child aged 6-16, under 6 free. No discounts for Swiss travel cards.

From Rotenflue gondola:

The top of Rotenflue gondola is a 1.3 downhill km walk to Holzegg where the Grosser Mythen hike starts. But remember you’ll have to walk back up it after your tough climb.

By car: Drive to the Rickenbach-Rotenflue gondola at Rickenbachstrasse 163, 6432 Rickenbach SZ. There is metered parking adjacent to the gondola station, bring coins.

By public transport: Take a bus to Rickenbach SZ, Rotenfluebahn, which drops you directly at the gondola station.

Gondola ticket prices: The Rotenflue gondola has 4 person gondola cars that run continuously from 8:30 to 17:30. In 2021, a return ticket is CHF 42/adult, CHF 55/family, CHF 16/child. SBB Half-fare and Junior cards give you a discount. With the Tell Pass or GA pass, you ride for free.

Rotenflue also offers an early online booking discount, which changes based on demand. So go to their online booking, enter the date you want to go and see what discounts are available. When I check for a week ahead, most discounts were about 28-35%. But you can save even more if you book much earlier in advance.

Safety first

I had heard stories about how dangerous this trail was, with on average one death per year. I was nervous to try it, but it wasn’t quite as scary as I expected. I’ve been on much more dangerous trails with no warnings at all. This trail is well built and well traveled. Use common sense, wear good hiking shoes, and proceed carefully.

I have seen children on this trail, but please exercise caution. I’d recommend it for older kids, probably 8+, who have hiking experience. I saw three families that had small children (under 8) attached with safety harnesses and ropes, which I rarely see on other trails we do. I’m just saying.

Sunrise hike

In May 2020, I did this as a sunrise hike, which is popular activity. I woke up in Zürich at 2:30am and drove 1 hr to the Ibergeregg pass. We started the hike about 3:50am. We hiked 3.5 km to Holzegg, the base of the Grosser Mythen. Then 2 km up to the peak, arriving about 5:30 at the top. Sunrise was scheduled for 5:40. Next time, I would start earlier so we could sit at the top and watch the sunrise develop longer. So maybe start the hike about 3:20.

Photo story

In this photo, the Grosser Mythen peak is on the right. You are climbing up to the very top. You start the hike at the saddle on the ride side of the peak. This picture was taken from the west side of Lake Lucerne, just to give you some perspective. 

You climb up switchbacks on the southwest side shown here, facing the morning sun. 

Let’s assume you have arrived at Holzegg, either by riding the Brunni cable car, Rotenflue gondola or walking up. Now follow trail signs to Grösser Mythen.

This safety sign warns you to take precautions on the trail. We rarely see these kinds of signs and I think it’s posted here because lots of inexperienced hikers go on this trail and might not understand the risks on a trail like this.

The trail starts with lots of steps. The pic on the right is looking down at the Holzegg cable car station.

Then the trail gets very rocky. Sometimes you have to step up much higher than a normal step, maybe use your hands to help you up. Some rocks are slippery from being worn down by lots of walkers.

There are steep drop-offs on the side, so stay close to the mountain as you walk.

Many parts have chains along the walls to grab for balance and safety. Some parts have chain fences on the cliff side.

The view from the trail is always gorgeous.

Parts of the trail have nicely built steps. But there are still lots of loose rocks, so watch your step.

You have cross some narrow land bridges, a few more switchbacks, then you are almost there.

At the top of Grosser Mythen

Congratulations! You made it to the top. Ask a stranger to take your pic, pat yourself on the back, then go get some refreshments at the hut.

View from the top towards Luzern.

View east of the “Kleiner Mythen”, the smaller sister peak next door. There is a trail to the top of that, but dangerous, not for normal hikers.

The picnic tables are for the hut customers. But there is some space to sit and have a picnic.

Here is the menu when I went. They also had fresh cakes and a signboard with the daily hot lunch special. Order at the window. Pay cash.

Hike down from Holzegg to Brunni

If you want to keep hiking, you can skip the cable car and hike another 1.8 km down to Brunni, a nice little trail, not too difficult.

Note: If you came up the Rotenflue, you can hike down from there too, but I’ve done it and it’s not that great, a long slog, not recommended.

The trail down starts at the same trail sign you started at. Now follow it straight down to Brunni, parallel to the cable car line (not where those people are walking in the pic).

The trail looks like this.

Part is in the forest, then it spills out into the cow pastures.

The trail ends at the Brunni Alpthal cable car station where either you left your car or you can catch the bus.

See other hikes in the Mythen region