This hike wanders through the peaceful alpine meadows near the sleepy village Illgau. It’s a good choice for mid May, when the fields fill with wildflowers.
Quick Info
| Region | Lucerne Region • Muothatal |
| Starting point: | Illgau-St Karl cable car – Dorfstrasse, 6434 Illgau |
| By car: | Parking in Illgau village – see on map From Zürich 1hr, Lucerne 45 mins |
| By public transport: | Bus stop Ried (Muotathal) Seilbahn Illgau (instructions below) From Lucerne 1h30, Zürich 1h40 |
| Trail: | 2h30 • ⬇️ trail map |
| Distance: | 6.7 km one way (shorter versions below) |
| Difficulty: | moderate • +214 -578 |
| Condition: | gravel and paved roads, some footpaths with uneven terrain |
| Elevation: | highest point 1320m |
| Open: | best April to October |
| Cost: | cable car one way + public transport to reach trail or parking fees |
| Services: | restaurant near start of trail |
| More info: | www.seilbahn-illgau.ch • webcam • weather |
Gallery
My pics are from our hike the last weekend of May.
Trail overview
This trail starts at the top of the Illgau-St Karl cable car. Then you hike back down to your starting point.
Trail map
Here is the detailed trail map.
➡️ See map on Komoot • SchweizMobil
With kids
If you have small children, you may prefer the Illgau Ladybug trail, which is shorter and has fun activities along the way.
How to get there
This trail is located in Illgau, a small alpine village southeast of Lucerne. You can reach the Illgau village by car or by bus + cable car. From Illgau, you ride the Illgau-St Karl cable car to reach the start of the trail.
By car:
You can drive directly to the Illgau village. There are a few parking spots directly across from the cable car. There is also a large parking lot right as you enter the town. Remember to pay the meter.
By public transport:
If you are coming by public transport, take a train to Schwyz, then bus 501 to Ried (Muotathal) Seilbahn Illgau bus stop.
Then ride the Ried-Illgau cable car to the village. Then a short walk in the village to the Illgau-St Karl cable car, which will take you up to the trail.
Ried-Illgau cable car
If you are coming by public transport, you will ride the Ried-Illgau cable car to reach the Illgau village.
This self-service cable car runs on demand 7:00-18:00 on weekdays, 8:00-18:00 on weekends. It carries 6 people. Travel time 3 mins. Dogs are allowed, no bikes.
In 2026, a return ticket for the Ried-Illgau cable car costs CHF 14/adult and CHF 7/child. Half Fare Card, GA, and Juniorcard are valid. See current prices.
💡Best to buy your ticket on the SBB mobile app.
How to ride:
The Ried-Illgau cable car is self-service. If the green light is on, you can hold a valid ticket up to the scanner to open the entrance and cable car doors.
Then get in the cable car and press the “Start” button. A signal sounds, the cabin door closes automatically and you ride to the top.
If the light is not green, you can press the Call button to inform a staff member that you would like to ride up.
Illgau-St Karl cable car
By car or public transport, you will ride the cable car from the Illgau village to St Karl to reach the start of the trail.
The Illgau-St Karl cable car runs on demand from 8:45-11:45 / 12:45 – 16:45. Travel time 7 mins. Dogs are allowed, no bikes.
The cable car is usually open for summer season from the third weekend of April to late October.
In 2026, a one-way ticket Illgau-St Karl costs CHF 11/adult and CHF 6/child, under 6 free. Discount for families. No discounts for SBB GA, Half-fare or Junior card.
Last time we went, we could pay by card or cash.
Photo story
Start by riding the cable car up to St Karl.
View from top of Illgau cable car. Follow trail signs to Oberberg.
Start of trail, headed to Oberberg
Here is Guesthaus Oberberg, which has a restaurant with a view. You can drive directly here (large parking lot), but it’s on a one-lane road for the last bit.
Views near the restaurant.
Looking back on the trail.
Continuing past the restaurant.
At this junction, continue straight, direction Sternenegg.
Some uphill climb in the forest
Now descending thru meadows.
Another short section in the forest, then back in the sun.
Now joining the service road for a bit. One tractor passed us.
Now leaving the road, following signs to Illgau.
Now leaving the road and descending through the forest.
Emerging from the forest into the Illgau village.
Walking on the road a bit to return to the parking and cable cars.
Hope you like this one!
➡️ See more spring hikes in Switzerland.
