This winter trail at Flumserberg hikes up through pretty forests and snowy meadows, leading to a frozen lake surrounded by tall mountain peaks.
It’s a bit of work going uphill so better for adults, not small children. The trail is groomed, which means you need waterproof hiking shoes, but not snowshoes.
Quick info
| Region | Eastern Switzerland • Heidiland region |
| Starting point: | Tannenboden parking – Flumserberg Switzerland |
| By car: | Parking next to gondola: Tannenboden (GPS: 47°05’33.4″N 9°16’49.8″E) 1hr15 from Zürich |
| By public transport: | Train stop: Unterterzen, then Seejet gondola up to Tannenboden 1hr from Zürich |
| Trail: | 2h30 • ⬇️trail map |
| Distance: | 7.1 km out and back |
| Difficulty: | moderate • 290m up & down |
| Condition: | groomed snow |
| Elevation: | highest point 1660m |
| Open: | Dec to March, assuming snow |
| Cost: | parking at Tannenboden or public transport to reach Tannenboden |
| Services: | restaurant at start and the lake |
| More info: | flumserberg.ch • webcams |
Gallery
Location
Flumserberg is a mountain resort southeast of Zürich, in eastern Switzerland. You can easily reach the start of the trail by car or public transportation.
Trail overview
This winter hike starts at Tannenboden (2), where you’ll find a big parking lot, bus station, restaurant, and Flumserberg chair lifts and gondola station.
If you come by public transport, you can ride a train to Unterterzen (1) and ride the SeeJet gondola up to Tannenboden. The trail leads to Seeben (3) where you’ll find a restaurant. Hike back the way you came.
You don’t have to take a chair lift or gondola to reach the trail. You just start walking directly from the parking lot. The pink dotted line is our trail.
Hiking map
The trail starts at the Tannenboden parking. Follow the pink winter trail signs, direction Seeben.
The trail is a wide path with groomed snow. You crossing the ski piste once, then wrapping around the mountain, often in the shade.
The trail leads you to Seebenalp, where you’ll find a lovely alpine lake and restaurant, with indoor and outdoor seating so you can enjoy the mountain views. Then return the way you came on the same trail.
See trail on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive
How to get there
By car:
You can drive directly to the Flumserberg mountain resort at Tannenboden (GPS: 47°05’33.4″N 9°16’49.8″E), where you can park next to the gondola station (metered).
If you don’t want to drive up the mountain road, you could park at Unterterzen near the lake (metered parking). Then ride the SeeJet gondola from Unterterzen to Tannenboden, where your trail starts. Include the metered parking and gondola ticket in your budget.
By public transport:
Take a train to Unterterzen. The Flumserberg SeeJet gondola station is directly adjacent to the train station. You can buy gondola tickets here if necessary. The SeeJet gondola is part of the public transport system and can be purchased as part of your full journey. Ride the gondola up to Tannenbodenalp (Bergstation). Your trail starts near the main BergJet gondola station.
Costs
If you are driving to Tannenboden, you only need to pay for parking.
If you drive to Unterterzen, you need to pay for parking and for a round trip ticket on the SeeJet gondola from Unterterzen to Tannenboden. This can save you time but the line can be very long for the gondola.
Free with SBB GA or Junior cards. Discount for SBB Half-fare cards. I suggest purchasing this ticket in advance so you can skip the ticket line, which can be very long with skiers in the mornings.
If you come with public transportation, book your ticket from your starting point all the way to Tannenboden. This entire journey is considered public transportation, not part of the mountain resort.
For example, from Zürich HB, a round trip ticket to Tannenboden (going to Unterterzen and riding the SeeJet up to Tannenboden), costs about CHF 79 full price – 50% discount with SBB Half-fare card, free with SBB GA and Junior Card.
Photo story of the trail
The path is groomed by machines, so you can walk on it with regular hiking shoes.
Nice views of the Churfirsten peaks.
It looks like an easy flat trail here, but it’s mostly uphill. We worked up a sweat on the way up, gaining about 290 m of elevation.
Follow the pink signs, which are for winter trails. You are going to Seeben.
Views down to the Walensee lake.
We saw other families dragging kids on sleds up the trail, but it looked like a lot of work.
Keep following signs to Hotel Seebenalp.
Looking back on the trail.
Arriving at Seebenalp, with the frozen lake and hotel restaurant on the right. That day, we simply had a picnic on a bench overlooking the lake. We’ve eaten at the hotel a few times on ski days, which has a cozy atmosphere with typical Swiss food.
This hotel restaurant faces the lake.
On sunny days, you can sit on the patio. But we have always been inside. Cash only!
We had our picnic on this bench, facing the lake. It was a relatively warm day, so it was nice to sit in the sun.
Some people walk around the lake, but that path is not usually groomed by machines.
Heading back the way we came.
