This mountain trail starts at the Klausen Pass and hikes up to a beautiful glacier lake, with bright blue water reflecting the peaks above. Then you traverse the mountain, hiking along cliffs and through alpine meadows with big views all around. If you want a shorter day, you can just hike up to the glacier lake and back from the pass – still a great day out.
We loved this hike for so many reasons. It’s not super difficult, just a little work on that first climb. It’s also much more affordable than many Swiss hikes, but still full of beauty, variety and drama. Below is all the information you need to plan a successful outing.
Note: For those afraid of heights, there is one short rocky scramble near the end of that you might not like. So review the photos below before putting this on your to-do list.
Contents
| Location: | Klausen Pass, Canton Uri, Switzerland |
| Start: | Klausen Pass – 46°52’05.0″N 8°51’17.4″E Bus stop: Klausen, Passhöhe |
| End: | Urnerboden-Fisetengrat cable car: Dorfstrasse 31, 8751 Urnerboden Bus stop: Urnerboden, Dorf |
| Trail: | 9 km, about 3hr30 |
| Suitable for: | hike to lake: any hiker, children, dogs, no strollers full hike: casual hikers without fear of heights, older children, dogs maybe |
| Elevation: | highest point 2170m |
| Condition: | narrow dirt path with rocks, one short section with chains and steep side |
| Skill: | moderate (2/5), 400m up, 350m down |
| Services: | mountain hut in middle of trail for food, drink, WC |
| Cost: | cable car one way CHF 12/adult, no discounts bus one way CHF 9.60/adult, regular Swiss travel pass discounts apply |
| Open: | mid June to mid September (check bus schedule) |
| More info: | urnerboden.ch • official trail 588 • webcam Klausenpass • webcam Urnerboden • forecast |
Location
This trail is located at the Klausen Pass. You can drive or take a bus to reach the trail.
Hiking map
The trail starts at the Klausen Pass and ends at the top of the Urnerboden-Fisengrat cable car. There is a bus that connects the ends of the hike. You can do the hike in reverse.
See map on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive
More info about official trail 588 on SchweizMobil.
Shorter version: Many people just hike up to the glacier lake and back from the Klausen Pass. It’s about 1.8 km and 200m elevation gain to your first view of the lake. If you want to hike down to the water, it’s another 900m (about 15 mins), descending about 65m of elevation. I would plan about 2 hours round trip.
How to get there
This is a one-way trail, but there are bus stops at each end of the trail at Klausen, Passhöhe and Urnerboden, Dorf (the base of the cable car). From from mid June to mid September, Bus 408 runs between these stops but has a very limited schedule (see schedule on PostAuto.ch).
By car: You can drive to the trail but you’ll need to use the bus to get back to your car. Since the bus runs so infrequently, we suggest take the bus at the beginning of your day, so you can time your arrival with the bus departure.
We suggest parking at the cable car in Urnerboden – Dorfstrasse 31, 8751 Urnerboden. Then take the bus 408 to Klausen, Passhöhe and start your hike. The hike ends at the top of cable car. Ride down to your car.
You could park at the Klausen Pass and take the bus at the end of your hike. But the Klausen Pass parking was completely full when we arrived, so I was glad we had parked at the cable car.
By public transport from Zürich: If you are coming from eastern Switzerland (e.g. Zürich, Chur, etc.), take a train to Linthal, Bahnhof, then bus 408 to Klausen, Passhöhe. On weekends in 2022, bus 408 leaves Linthal at 6:27, 9:27, 10:27 and 12:27. Check current schedule.
At the end of your hike, you ride the cable car down to Urnerboden where you can catch bus 408 down to Linthal, Bahnhof. Bus 408 leaves Urnerboden (direction Linthal) at 11:45, 14:45 and 17:45.
By public transport from Lucerne: If you are coming from western Switzerland, take a train to Altdorf, Bahnhof Ost. Then take bus 408 to Klausen, Passhöhe, where you will start your hike.
Ticket prices
At the end of your hike, you’ll need to purchase a one-way ticket for the Urnerboden cable car. In 2022, this costs CHF 12/adult and CHF 5/children 10-16, under 10 free. Dogs cost CHF 2. No discounts for Swiss travel cards like GA, Half-fare, Swiss Travel Pass, or Junior cards. See current prices.
If you came by car, you’ll need a bus ticket between Urnerboden and Klausen Passhöhe. In 2022, this costs CHF 9.80/adult. Regular discounts apply with GA, Half-fare, Swiss Travel Pass and Junior cards.
Operating times
The Urnerboden-Fisetengrat cable car runs June to September from 7:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00.
What to wear and bring
This is a mountain hike, so weather and temperatures can change quickly. Dress appropriate to the weather forecast, with layers like a fleece and windbreaker/rain jacket as needed. For hot days, shorts are ok as there are no trees or tall grass.
I suggest waterproof hiking shoes with good tread. In early summer, we encountered snow, mud and streams. I brought my hiking sticks but I didn’t need to use them.
Bring at least 1 L of water per person. There are no places to fill your water bottle along the trail.
Where to eat
At the Klausen Pass, there is are a couple restaurants and toilets. You can also buy takeaway sandwiches and drinks to eat on the trail.
At the 6 km mark on the trail, there is the Gemsfairen mountain hut is located at about the 6km mark (see on map), where you can buy drinks, cheese and other local food products. They also have a toilet.
At the Urnerboden cable car valley station, there is a toilet and the Gasthof Urnerboden that has a restaurant. There is also an alpine dairy show with cheese and ice cream.
Photo story
1. Riding the bus to the trail
Here’s the parking near the Urnerboden-Fisengrat cable car. Give yourself at least 5 min to walk to the bus stop on the main road.
Here is the Urnerboden bus stop. Bus 408 picks up here and takes you to Klausen, Passhöhe, where the hike starts. Remember to check the schedule carefully as the bus runs very infrequently.
The bus drops you offer here at the Klausen Pass.
At the pass, there is a restaurant and the self-service café shown here. We bought sandwiches to take on the trail.
2. Starting the trail
Follow signs to Fisetenpass and Gemsfairenhüttli, leading up the mountain.
Looking back at Klausen Pass.
Great views from the very start of the hike.
Hiking up on a dirt trail to the glacier lake.
This part of the trail is busier because many people just hike up to the lake and back to Klausen Pass. The rest of the trail after the lake was very quiet.
Arriving at the glacier lake. The view from here is nice and we noticed many hikers didn’t continue to the water. But even if you are only hiking to the lake and back, I think should definitely still follow the trail down the water before heading back.
So many nice photo opps around here.
The trail down to the water is rocky, lots of it loose rock. So it helps to have good tread and sticks. We were there in middle June, still some snow on the trail.
The trail leads to this river flowing from the lake.
Now to the lakeside for beautiful reflections.
3. Continuing the trail past the lake
From the lake, continuing following red/white trail markers over the rocky landscape. The trail is faint at times, so be observant.
Rounding the corner to this spectacular view of the cliffs.
We took a small break at this stream to cool off and have some snacks.
Looking downstream.
Maybe my favorite view of the hike.
Approaching the Gemsfairen hut. We stopped here for cold drinks. They have a few snacks, but not proper meals. They have a toilet.
4. After the hut
After a short break at the hut, we hike back closer to the mountains. Very dramatic landscape here.
This short rocky section was a bit of surprise. There is a steep drop-off on the side of the trail. But there is a chain to hold on to. It looks worse than it is. But if you are afraid of heights or with children or a dog, you may consider this a deal-breaker.
Looking down on the sketchy part. Thankfully, it’s not too long.
Now an easy relatively flat stretch all the way to the cable car, which you can see below the trail.
Here we reach the Fisetengrat ridge, but we turn left to the cable car before actually walking on the ridge. Maybe next time.
Looking south from the ridge. Maybe we’ll come back and follow a trail that direction.
Here’s the cable car station. Remember that it runs June to September from 7:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00.
This cable car fits four people. There is no staff member here. On weekends and busy days, you can just get in the cable car, close the door and wait. There is a camera, so the lift operator at the valley station will see you and start the cable car. Otherwise, there is a phone in the station where you can call the lift operator.
You buy your ticket at the valley station here. You can pick up a free hiking map here for next time.
Video of the trail
Here’s a video of our day on the Klausen Pass on 18 June 2022.
FAQ
Is this trail safe for dogs?
Most of the trail is safe for dogs. However, near the cable car, there is one short rocky section with chains to help you climb up safely. There is a rather steep slope to one side that could be dangerous if your dog pulls excessively on the leash. Some dogs may not feel comfortable on this part. Review my photos above and video to make a judgment for yourself.
I saw one sign asking for dogs to be on the leash because of the cattle along the trail.
Remember that large dogs (over 30cm shoulder height) must have their own ticket for the bus and cable car.
