This beautiful snowshoe trail starts at the top of a tiny private cable car and heads up into the quiet mountains far away from the busy ski resorts. There are two snowshoe loops here, the 7km Mädems trail, which we did, and the easier 4 km Gampergalt trail, which would be better with kids.
We loved the Mädems trail even with the sometimes difficult climb about 400m of elevation, giving us a good workout while enjoying the views. I did this trail with my husband without the kids – they would have complained a lot I’m sure. But we did see one family on the trail with a young girl, maybe about 10 years old.
Lots of the trail was in the sun with wide open views. But about a third of the trail is in a shady forest, so bring warm layers for these sections. In any case, please check snow conditions before heading out. If avalanche warnings are high, this trail may be closed.
See also How to snowshoe in Switzerland for beginners and What to pack & wear on a winter hike
| Location: | Flums, Heidiland, Eastern Switzerland |
| Address: | Bergbahn Schönhalden Kleinbergstrasse 1752, 8894 Flums |
| By car: | 1hr from Zürich free parking at gondola: 47°04’43.0″N 9°20’57.8″E |
| By public transport: | not convenient, details below |
| Trail: | 7.5 km loop, about 3 hours |
| Elevation: | highest point 2120 m, total ascent/descent 630m |
| Condition: | ungroomed snowy path, marked with sticks |
| Skill: | challenging, bring hiking sticks, safe for older children |
| Open: | in winter, gondola open end of Dec through early April runs every 30 mins from 8:00 to 17:00, usually closed Mon & Tues |
| Cost 2020: | Gondola return CHF 22/adult, CHF 12/child no discounts with travel cards, cards or cash |
| More info: | www.schoenhalden.ch • SchweizMobile Route 706 • webcam |
Trail map
The Mädems snowshoe trail is a 7km loop, starting and ending at the Schönhalden hotel. It has about 400m elevation climb and descent, which I feel was quite difficult at times. We were very tired even before we finished.
The trail is marked by the traditional snowshoe pink sticks and a few trail signs, but not as frequent as you might like. We were glad others went before us marking the trail and the trail downloaded on our phone. Otherwise, I feel like we might have gotten lost.
In summer we did the Guscha ridge hike in this area, which I can highly recommend.
How to get there
This snowshoe trail is near Flums in Eastern Switzerland, accessed with the Schönhalden gondola.
The tiny private gondola is on a two-lane mountain road, best accessed by car. There is a bus stop, but it doesn’t run on weekends and very infrequently on weekdays.
By car:
There’s no address, so you can use 47°04’43.0″N 9°20’57.8″E in your navigation. From the A3 highway, take exit 49-Flums. Drive through the village of Flums, turning left on Kleinbergstrasse and driving up the mountain until you see the tiny Schönhalden gondola station on your left.
There are about 10 parking spots along the road across from the gondola.
There are two small parking lots of the Schönhalden hotel down the road a bit at the curve, as shown on the map.
By public transport:
There is a bus stop Flumserberg Saxlirank near the gondola station. However, the bus doesn’t go there on weekends.
So you would need to take a train to Flums train station, then take a taxi to the gondola for CHF 35, call 079 735 3000. If you are going on a weekday, the bus runs only twice in the morning.
Planning your day
Gondola tickets & operating times
In 2025, a return ticket on the Schönhalden gondola costs CHF 26/adult.
The gondola generally runs from 8:00 to 17:00 every 30 mins. If you want to go down between 14:00-17:00, you need to sign up for specific a return timeslot with the cable car operator.
It’s sometimes closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Check their website for detailed operating times.
Equipment Rental
The Schönhalden hotel rents snowshoes & poles for CHF 25/day.
Photo story
1. Riding up the Schönhalden gondola
The Schönhalden gondola has two cars, each fitting 4 people. It normally runs every 30 minutes, but will run on demand if you have at least four people.
You must call the operator using the provided phone and tell them you are ready to go. Get in the gondola, close the door and wait. When you get to the top, you pay for your tickets.
A view of the gondola cars in winter.
2. Arriving at Berghotel Schönhalden
At the top of the gondola, you arrive at the Schönhalden hotel & restaurant. There are toilets through the door directly opposite of the gondola. Here’s a view down to the valley from the hotel.
The hotel has a small patio where they were serving coffee and takeaway food like sausages and sandwiches.
3. Starting the trail
Just above the hotel patio, you’ll see a pink sign for the snowshoe trail and a trail heading straight up the hill. That’s your trail.
Looking back at the hotel. I was tired already after just this short climb.
Heading up through the forest.
Crossing a big field, still climbing.
Beautiful through the forests, but cold in the shade.
Happy to be in the sun again.
Also happy to see a trail sign, not too many on this trail.
A beautiful traverse under the tall slopes.
You might see some tracks leading up the mountain. That is not your trail.
4. Looping back
Your trail heads toward these buildings at the end of your loop.
Just before you reach the buildings, you’ll see a pink trail sign, pointing you to the left. You’ve reached the far end of the loop.
The trail was windswept here and a little hard to see.
There were trails forking left and right and we weren’t sure where to go. But the map shows the trail on the right/south side of the stream. So take the fork to your right and walk under the mountain on your right. You’ll reach another trail sign eventually.
Looking back up the trail.
You’ll see a couple pink signs. It feels like you are walking too far right/south from your starting point, but don’t worry. The trail eventually turns left and traverses back.
Keep following the pink signs toward this barn.
5. Traversing back to the hotel
On the other side of the barn, you’ll turn left at this sign and traverse the mountain back to your starting point.
Then a long section in the shade. We got so cold on this part, our hands so freezing that we had to constantly wiggle them. We were there late in the afternoon, but since you are in the trees, it’s almost always shady.
We crossed a bridge piled up with snow. Seemed a little dangerous but also beautiful.
One of the nicest views of the trail, looking across at the Churfirsten peaks.
Arriving back at Schönhalden, hooray! We were cold and tired by the end and were happy to be done.
I hope you like this trail! See more Swiss snowshoe trails we recommend.
See also Winter Walks in Switzerland
