Pizol Hochwart • Summit Hike to 2670m

We really enjoyed this hike up to the Hochwart mountain peak, rewarded with panorama views across many mountains and alpine lakes. It’s a tough one with uneven rocky terrain and some steep drop-offs, but well within the skill level of most experienced hikers and suitable for older children. We felt a real sense of accomplishment reaching the summit and signing the “Gipfel” guest book. We also loved how quiet this trail was, a nice alternative to the busy Pizol Five Lake hike across the way.

After the hike, you can treat your good hikers to the mountain go-carts, a thrilling 2km ride down the mountain on a bumpy dirt track. My kids loved this and completely forgot about all the hard hiking earlier. 

This Hochwart hike is part of the new “Quartet of Summits” tour at Pizol, a long distance hike visiting four peaks. We split this long hike into two parts over a weekend – see our trip report.

This trip was hosted by Pizol

Location of Pizol

Pizol is a mountain resort in eastern Switzerland, about an hour south of Zürich. This area is easy to reach by car or train, arriving in the valley and using gondolas and chair lifts to reach the trails.

Here is the summer map for Pizol, where I’ve marked important elements.

Trail map for Pizol Hochwart hike

This trail starts at the top of the Gaffia-Pizolhütte chair lift. The trail hikes up the Hochwart and back, starting on the same path as the popular 5 Lake Trail as far as the first lake. Then it heads off over a very rocky terrain to the south side of the lake. Then up to the peak.

See trail on SchweizMobil • Komoot • AllTrails • OutdoorActive

Trail conditions

The path to Hochwart is a red/white mountain trail (rated T3 from the lake to the peak), a little exposed in parts. So you need steady footing, good hiking shoes, and no fear of heights. But I felt comfortable with my teens and we saw another family with kids around 8-10 years old on this trail. We loved this peak hike and definitely recommend it to experienced hikers.

Trail alternatives

Shorter option: If you want to skip the hard climb and dangerous bits at the top of the peak, you can simply hike to the first lake where you get really nice views of a bunch of peaks surrounding this area. To the lake and back is about 5 km round trip, 300m up/down. 

Longer option: Some people visit two peaks as part of this hike, also climbing to the Pizol peak, which is a neighbor to Hochwart. See that trail map. However the section to Pizol peak is a blue/white alpine trail (the last section rated T4), meaning it has exposed sections with steep drop-offs with cables to help you manage it more safely.

We asked the Pizol staff about this section and they said that it doesn’t require mountaineering equipment or safety harnesses. We saw all sorts of people heading up this trail, from serious climbers to trail runners to casual hikers in flat soled sneakers.

We planned to follow this blue/white section as far as we felt comfortable. But a few minutes into it, one of my sons was feeling very nervous. So we decided to turn around and focus on enjoying the Hochwart peak, rather than taking a risk. On a risky trail, I think it’s very important that everyone feels confident and happy so you can perform your best. If you do this blue/white section, please leave a comment and let me know what you thought.

Tickets for Pizol gondola

For this hike, you need a round trip ticket from Wangs to Pizolhütte, CHF 46/adult in 2021. Pizol gives a discount for GA and SBB Half-fare cards. Children with a SBB Junior card and those under 6 ride free. They also offer family discounts that include all children under 17. See current prices.

If you are staying overnight, you can buy a day pass (or multi-day pass) with unlimited rides on mountain transport. This gave us the flexibility to travel around the mountain as we liked and ride the mountain carts multiple times. We stayed at Berghotel Gaffia near the chair lifts for this trail (see more about our hotel stay).

Operating times

The Pizol mountain transport is open for summer season from late June through mid October. With good weather, they often run also on weekends through mid November. Lift may close without notice for bad weather, including strong winds. Even if the lifts are open, that doesn’t mean the trails are open. So check trail status before heading out.

The Wangs gondola starts running at 8:15. The last ride down from Pizolhütte is 16:00. Most of the lifts close over lunch. So check the schedule carefully before planning your day.

See current operating times here.

Planning your day

Timing for the trail

We did this trail with our boys, aged 14 and 17 at the time, who are experienced hikers. We spent about 4.5 hrs on the trail, actual walking time 2hr45. I would plan for at least 3.5 hrs, more if you plan to picnic. 

The last ride down from Pizolhütte is 16:00. So best to start your hike by at least noon so you make it down in time. Also the mountain carts at Gaffia are available until 16:15, in case that is important to your crew.

What to wear and bring

This is a mountain trail where conditions can change quickly. So even on warm days, best to bring a layers in case the weather changes. You should wear sturdy hiking shoes with good tread. Shorts are ok because there is no long grass or bushes.

I recommend hiking sticks on this trail as the terrain is very uneven. But better to have rubberized tips instead of metal points because most of the trail is rocks not dirt.

There are no services along the trail so bring at least 1L of water per person and energy snacks. It’s not a very long trail so you don’t need to bring a lot of food. The trail starts and ends at a cafe where you can get refreshments and sandwiches for the trail if desired.

Impressions of the Pizol Hochwart Summit trail

Starting the trail at Pizolhütte

From the top of the Pizolhütte chair lift, follow trail signs to Wildseeluggen and Pizolsattel. Most other hikers are also doing this first part of the trail, so you won’t be lonely.

A beautiful view to start your hike.

This first part is slightly uphill and meandering. Enjoy it as the hard climb is just ahead.

First hard climb to Wildsee

Now the hard climb up, gaining 200m elevation in 1km. There are a lot of switchbacks, which help with the climb. But it’s a workout for sure. This part of the trail is very busy.

After about 45-60 mins from the start, you will end the hard climb and reach the famous Wildsee lake. Take a break and enjoy the view. You can see the Hochwart peak from there, the tallest peak in the sunlight on the other side of the lake. Are you excited?

Follow fork towards Batöni

From the Wildsee, follow signs towards Batöni. Don’t worry – the blue/white part of the trail doesn’t start until later and isn’t part of your trail.

This part of the trail is very rocky, so footing can be tricky. If you have hiking sticks, you might want the rubberized tips instead of metal points. 

Keep following the red/white trail markers into the rock field.

Hike across and up to Hochwart

When you reach this trail sign, turn right in direction “Batoni”. Follow the red/white trail markers toward the Hochwart peak. The blue/white markers lead to the Pizol peak. If you are hiking to both peaks, you can choose which one you want to visit first. I would probably go to Pizol first so you have more energy to manage the dangerous sections.

This section used to be a glacier. In 2019, they held a funeral for this glacier.

Lots of rocks to walk over. A little blue lake reflecting the Pizol peak.

A very unique landscape.

Now the steep climb to the peak. There are some switchbacks that help. But the ground has lots of loose rock and slippery dirt. So go slow and use caution.

Before you reach the peak, you come to this saddle “Lavtinasattel” with a panorama view to the north. This would be a great place for your picnic as there is more room to spread out here and it’s not dangerous like up at the peak. If you are curious, the trail leading down the mountain goes to the Batöni waterfalls – maybe next time!

Reaching the peak

Now the last push to the peak. It’s only 200m and takes a few minutes, so don’t get discouraged.

The trail on this last bit can be a bit dangerous, so go slowly and carefully.

Arriving at the Hochwart peak! What a great feeling to reach the top. Don’t forget to sign the “Gipfelbuch” that is in a metal box near the cross.

View over the cliffs down to the Schottensee (part of the 5 lakes trail). My stomach as full of butterflies as I peered over the cliffs on my tummy. I get a little nervous around these drop-offs.

Hike back down

Enjoy your time at the top, then turn around and hike back the way you came. This is a view from Hochwart peak back down to the Lavtinasattel and towards the Pizol peak. 

A great one to do with older children and teens with hiking experience. These two had no problems on this hike.

On the way back down, make sure to take a family pic here. 

Refreshments and mountain carts

After the hike, you can stop at the Pizolhütte for refreshments. They also sell sandwiches here if you need a picnic lunch for the hike.

On your way down the mountain, we suggest stopping at Gaffia (one chair lift down from Pizolhütte) and riding mountain carts 2km down the mountain. This is a nice treat for your happy hikers! Our boys absolutely loved the mountain carts (so did I!). Definitely recommended.

Mountain carts cost CHF 13/adult and CHF 10/child 12-16. Younger children can ride with an adult. They provide helmets. You can send your backpacks down on the chair lift to meet you at the end of the ride. More info on Pizol website.

I hope you enjoy this hike! See more hikes and activities at Pizol and eastern Switzerland.

See more mountain peak hikes

Video of trail

Video from our hike in Sept 2021.