This easy winter hike traverses the sunny side of a mountain, with wide open views practically the whole hike. We did a 7.4 km stretch, but you can shorten it to as little as 2.5 km, as detailed below.
The only tricky part about this one-way hike is that the bus runs very infrequently. So you need to plan your day carefully so you don’t get stuck waiting on your way back (tips for that below).
| Location: | near Lucerne, Canton Uri, Central Switzerland |
| Address: | Start: Ruogig cable car End: Ratzi cable car |
| Car: | Free parking near: Rösslistutz 6, 6464 Spiringen (46°52’20.5″N 8°43’48.4″E) 50 mins from Lucerne, 1hr10 from Zurich |
| Transit: | Brügg (Bürglen UR) (Seilbahn) bus stop 1hr15 from Lucerne, 2hr from Zurich |
| Trail: | 7.4 one way, about 2hr30 (shorter options below) |
| Difficulty: | easy, safe, groomed snow |
| Elevation: | highest point 1740m, 90m up, 320m down |
| Prices 2021: | cable car return: CHF 21/adult, CHF 10.50/child |
| Open: | winter season: mid Dec to mid March cable car daily: 8:00 – 18:00 |
| Services: | restaurants |
| More info: | biel-kinzigag.ch • webcam • winter map |
Location
The Schächental is a valley southeast of Lucerne, with with three small ski resorts spread across the mountain. The trail is accessed cable cars from the valley, easily accessed by car or public transportation.
Overview of area
Here is the winter map of the Höhen Schächental area. You can see the three cable cars from left to right: Ruogig, Biel-Kinzig, and Ratzi. The winter hike is the pink dashed line from Ruogig to Ratzi. See an interactive version of this map.
Trail Map
Here is the trail map for the winter hike from Ruogig to Ratzi. The trail is groomed snow, suitable for regular hiking shoes. I chose this direction because it was less uphill than walking the other direction. The trail traverses the mountain, crossing two small ski resorts.
See trail map on Komoot • Schweiz Mobil • OutdoorActive
Easier version: The nicest part of the trail is the short stretch between Ruogig and Biel. If you do this version, the parking is the same for both cable cars, so you don’t have to take a bus connection.
Longer snowshoe version: If you have snowshoes, you can start in Eggberge and hike on snowshoe trails to Ruogig, then the groomed winter trail to Biel, about 3hrs.
Getting there
For the hike I describe in this post, we parked near the Spiringen-Ratzi cable car, the end of our hike. Then we took a bus to Brügg, where we took a cable car to the start of our hike. If you start or stop somewhere else along this trail, you’ll need to adjust your directions.
By public transport: Take a train to Altdorf, then a bus to Brügg (Bürglen UR) (Seilbahn) bus stop. Both the Ruogig and Biel-Kinzig cable cars are a short walk from the bus stop. We took the Ruogig cable car up to reach the trail. Your trail ends at the Ratzi cable car. Note the bus times from the Spiringen bus stop near the Ratzi cable car. It runs very infrequently. On weekends, in the afternoon: 12:56, 14:56, 15:56, 16:56. Check current bus schedule on PostAuto.ch.
By car: Drive to Rösslistutz 6, 6464 Spiringen and park in the spaces near the Seilbahn Ratzi and Prima Dorfladen grocery. The picture below shows the other parking options in this area, all of which are free. If all of those are full, apparently you can park on the street but you need to inform the cable car staff so your car does not get a ticket.
Then take a bus from the Spiringen, Post bus stop to the Brügg (Bürglen UR) (Seilbahn) bus stop. This bus only runs about every 2 hours on weekends: 8:56, 10:56, 12:56, 14:56, 15:56, 16:56. Check current bus schedule on PostAuto.ch. You’ll need a one-way bus ticket, which costs CHF 4.40 (travel card discounts apply). Both the Ruogig and Biel-Kinzig cable cars are a short walk from the bus stop. We took the Ruogig cable car up to reach the trail.
Ticket prices
For this winter hike, you’ll need a Combibillet, which allows to ride and down any of the cable cars along this trail. In 2021, this ticket costs CHF 21/adult and CHF 10.50/child aged 6-15. No discounts for Swiss travel cards. See current ticket prices.
If you pay at Ruogig, you must pay in cash at the top of the first cable car. At Ratzi, you pay at the valley station. I think they accept credit cards, but not positive.
Opening times
The snow on the winter trail is usually groomed from mid December to mid March, depending on snow conditions. Lifts and trails may close due to poor weather or snow conditions. Check the current lift and trail status.
The Ruogig cable car is open year round. It runs every 30 mins from 6:30 – 19:00, taking a break during lunch 12:00-13:00. If you are at least 3 people, it will run on demand; just use the phone in the station to call the lift operator.
The Ratzi cable car is open year round. It runs every 15 mins from 8:00 – 18:00, taking a lunch break from 12:00 – 12:45.
What to wear & bring
For footwear, you should wear waterproof hiking shoes with good traction. You don’t need snowshoes. If you have traction cleats, bring them just in case parts of the trail are icy. I would suggest bringing hiking sticks for balance (best with snow baskets so they don’t sink into the snow). You should wear warm layers appropriate to the weather forecast and waterproof outer layers to stay dry in the snow.
At a minimum, I would bring 1L of water/person and snacks. See also What to pack & wear on a winter hike.
Where to eat
Near the Biel station, you’ll pass the Skihaus Edelweiss, right next to the trail. Next to the Ratzi cable car station, you’ll find Berggasthaus Ratzi, which has a restaurant with an outdoor terrace.
The only picnic area with a table we saw on the trail was near the Ratzi station – see on map.
Photo story of the trail
We parked at Spiringen near the Ratzi cable car where we would later end our hike. This allowed us to time our arrival with the bus departure. You can see the bus stop in this picture, just a short walk from the parking.
Riding up the Ruogig cable car
We got off the bus at Brügg and walked over to the Ruogig cable car station shown below.
Here’s the first cable car on the way to Ruogig, which fits 4 persons. The second cable car to the top fits 6 persons. You pay for your tickets at the middle station, cash only.
The view from the top of the Ruogig cable car station.
From the Ruogig station, the snowshoe trails lead to the left as shown here.
Starting the winter hike
We followed the groomed winter hike to the right, as shown here.
Easy walking on this wide path.
Great views of the mountain peaks above.
Just so beautiful!
At the crossroads, you’ll see these pink signs for the winter trails.
Walking through Biel-Kinzig resort
As you walk through the Biel mountain village, you’ll pass Skihaus Edelweiss shown here, which has a restaurant open in winter.
Arriving at the Biel part of the resort.
For a short section, the winter trail is shared with skiers.
This is the chair lift at the upper part of the resort. It was really quiet the day we were there.
Keep following the pink poles as you cross the ski pistes. We got off track a couple times.
Continuing to Ratzi
Now leaving the ski resort and starting a slow uphill, which has us breathing hard.
Looking back on the trail, such beautiful mountain peaks.
Turning the corner into the last stretch to Ratzi.
Stopping for a fondue picnic,
Today we tried Les Fondues Wyssmüller®, a premium fresh fondue from the Fribourg region, now available at Migros, Coop, Denner & Volg. We really enjoyed this Assemblage AOP mix, which includes equal parts Vacherin Fribourgeous AOP, Gruyère AOP and Raclette du Valais AOP. Thanks to Les Fondues Wyssmüller® for sending this delicious fondue to try!
Ending at Ratzi
Walking off our fondue through the forest.
The mountain views just keep on keeping on.
Last stretch to the Ratzi cable car.
Right next to the Ratzi cable car station, you’ll find the Berggasthaus Ratzi, with a restaurant and outdoor terrace. This cable car fits 4 people and runs every 15 mins or on demand with at least 3 people. You show your Combibillet at the valley station.
This is the Ratzi cable car station in the valley. There isn’t a toilet here but there is one just below the open parking, at the entrance to the parking garage.
We absolutely loved this winter hike and hope you do too!
