For the Auffahrt holiday, I tried to find a very remote trail so we could avoid the crowds. Although this trail was fuller than normal, I think we succeeded. The trail was amazingly beautiful with lots of variety in the terrain and gorgeous mountain views in all directions. We just loved it!
It’s a proper hike, but not too difficult, although we had intermittent complaining from my youngest. We saw several families with small children, including a 4 year old carrying his own backpack. It has some climbs but most are rather gentle. No official picnic areas but plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the view. We saw one family with a fire, grilling up their lunch.
The only downside is the terrible 6km drive up a narrow one-lane mountain road to reach the trail. Once you can manage that, the hike will feel easy in comparison.
| Location: | Muotathal, Central Switzerland |
| Address: | Trail head: 46°58’46.2″N 8°49’25.4″E |
| Car: | 1hr10 from Zürich or Luzern |
| Train: | not convenient, closest bus is Muotathal, Höllach |
| Trail: | 10.2 km loop, about 4 hours |
| Elevation: | highest point 1694m |
| Condition: | mountain trail, no strollers |
| Skill: | moderate, 460m up/down |
| Services: | none |
| Cost: | free |
| Open: | May through November |
| More info: | www.boedmeren.ch |
Trail Overview
This trail is located in the Muotathal in central Switzerland, near Stoos.
It’s a 10km loop accessed by car after a 6km up a mountain road. It’s relatively low elevation at 1694m, so good for springtime. It’s a mountain trail, with dirt, stairs, rocks, etc. Hiking sticks are helpful for some sections. Not suitable for strollers.
Getting There
You can only access this trail by car. From Muotathal, you must drive 6km on a narrow one-lane mountain road, not for the faint of heart or nervous driver. I’m serious! It’s difficult to pass oncoming cars, sometimes you have to backup into the tiny turnouts. There were also lots of motorcycles and cyclists on the road, so you have to drive around curves very carefully to avoid a collision. I drove it there and back and I was a nervous wreck. But I’d do it again, the hike was that nice.
Important! This road is under construction through fall 2021. The road is open weekends and holidays, but closed Mon-Fri most of the day. There is a PDF on www.boedmeren.ch that explains the current restrictions (German only). During the week (not on weekends or holidays), you can instead drive over the Pragelpass from the Klöntalersee. That would also be miserable, but perhaps necessary.
Here’s the free parking area next to the trail head. It can fit about 12 cars but we were there on a busy holiday and there were at least 30-40 cars parked every which way on the sides of the road. If you can’t find a spot, you can drive down the road a bit and there are a couple turnouts where you can park.
Start the trail
You start on a dirt road from the parking, a short bit in the forest, but quickly you get the views.
After a few minutes you’ll see this trail sign. The trail is a loop forking here. So you can take the footpath to your left or dirt road to your right. Either way, you’ll end up back here. Follow the trail signs marked with the green “Urwaldweg Bödmeren” tag.
We hiked counterclockwise, starting on the dirt road, shown below.
Big mountain views!
The road dips down into the forest for a bit. In a few minutes, you’ll see a trail sign. Take the fork to the right, direction Äbnenmatt and Tor.
First uphill.
Looking back on the trail. You can see the Muotathal village in the valley on the left.
You’ll pass a little alpine cheese hut. They have a fridge with drinks and cheese for sale.
Best bench on the trail. It’s a bit off the trail, near the cross. You should definitely take a break here.
Lots of big fields to cross.
Some goats to keep you company.
Big mountain views in every direction.
Keep on keeping on.
A nice spot for a picnic or break.
Dipping through this valley, then back up the other side.
The next lumpy valley.
This hut does not have services.
Make sure to follow the little green “Urwaldweg” signs.
Now uphill for bit.
Very scrubby at the top.
When crossing over the limestone, there are lots of holes. Watch your step.
You briefly join a road, then up and over to the other side. Now you have a view of this other mountain range.
Heading down to another road, then turn right up the road.
In the box hanging on the wall, there is a stamp for your hiking passport, if you have one. Wish I did.
Here you leave the road and join a foot path.
At this junction, still follow the green Urwaldweg sign, direction Eigeliswald, your starting point.
It’s all downhill from here.
Lots more pretty views.
After a bit through the forest, you briefly join another road.
Don’t miss the turn off onto the path like we did.
Joining back to your starting point. Turn right to make you way back to your car.
That was a long adventure! I hope you enjoyed it.
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2 responses
Oh, this has been in my bucketlist for years and the road from Muothatal is what keeps pulling me back. In theory this is a very virgin forest (urwald), but based on your pictures I don’t see too much of it. Was there, actually, an Urwald? 🙂
The road is really terrible and I would hate to drive it again. Honestly, the forest was not the highlight for me. I’m sure the distinction of an old growth forest has a very specific and special meaning to those in the know, but completely lost on me who is just enjoying the aesthetics. I’ve been in prettier forests for sure, but I don’t think that is the point of an urwald. Also, the approach to the hike is on a dirt access road, so you don’t feel like you are super remote from civilization. In fact at the beginning of the hike, I was skeptical that I would like the hike because of that road. But it got so nice after the road ended that I forgave it that below average start.