Etzel
Description
There are numerous options for the ascent from Pfäffikon up to Etzel. The version via Schindellegi is probably the most beautiful in terms of scenery. This involves climbing mainly on country roads through the lovely countryside to Schindellegi. From here, the route continues in the same style, but as the altitude increases, the panorama of Lake Zurich gets better and better. Finally, just below the Etzel, you reach a gravel road that leads up to the summit. Caution: this road is extremely steep! But it is the only option to reach the summit restaurant. The view from up here of Lake Zurich, Lake Sihl and the Central Swiss Alps is simply stunning. The summit is the starting point for the long trail descent back to Pfäffikon. The first trail starts right next to the children's playground, an agile and fun trail with countless line options. This is followed by a transition section to the Etzel Pass (St. Meinrad), where the real downhill fun begins. The trail always runs more or less along the pass road and was specially built and maintained by mountain bikers. The trail is great! Finally, you reach the Luegeten and take the wonderful trail combination through the Buechwald forest down to Lidwil on the shores of Lake Zurich. You return to Pfäffikon along the lakeshore.
Tip: The route can be perfectly combined with an initial detour from Schindellegi to the legendary Höhronen: ride.ch/touren/hoehronen-trail-tour
Map & GPX-Track
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Details of the tour
23 km
760 m
760 m
1 day
Pfäffikon SZ
Pfäffikon SZ
1817
well suited
More information
Video
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User comments (14)
About the author: Thomas Giger
Note: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.
I rode the route yesterday. It was reasonably rideable despite the wet conditions. Be sure to do the trail through the Buchwald, as written in the comments, and then ride back up a bit to the Joch and finish the trak.
It was great fun.
I rode the trail today, it's super fun. At the beginning after the playground at Etzel there are some steep sections with roots, but everything is rideable. The Meinrad trail is then awesome - flowy with some technical sections.
There are 2 things to bear in mind on the Meinrad Trail:
1) If you use Outdoractive or a similar app, you should not let yourself be navigated - then you will be directed to the pedestrian highway running parallel. I went back up the road because I missed the trail first.
2) At the end of the Meinrad Trail, you should be careful, especially less experienced riders - the trail ends in a 90° left-hand bend with steep steps and a high drop to the road (km 16.6)
I rode the trail today, it's super fun. At the beginning after the playground at Etzel there are some steep sections with roots, but everything is rideable. The Meinrad trail is then awesome - flowy with some technical sections.
There are 2 things to bear in mind on the Meinrad Trail:
1) If you use Outdoractive or a similar app, you should not let yourself be navigated - then you will be directed to the pedestrian highway running parallel. I went back up the road because I missed the trail first.
2) At the end of the Meinrad Trail, you should be careful, especially less experienced riders - the trail ends in a 90° left-hand bend with steep steps and a high drop onto the road.
Done 2024
Cool trail. However, the best part is missing from the GPX data. Instead of turning right onto the road to Luegeten at the end, it's worth taking another short 15m left turn onto the road until after the bridge. After the bridge, there is another beautiful section of trail on the right.
I would describe it as an easy 3 in terms of riding technique, except for the section mentioned above. Certainly much more challenging in wet conditions, as there are lots of roots.
Rode from Cham via Baar to Shilbrugg and up the entire Shil valley (all trails from Shilbrugg). Then over the Bostadel back along the Shil to Hütten and from there to Schindeleggi on the suggested route. The ascent from Schindeleggi to Etzel is not worth mentioning - except for the last ramp before the restaurant, which is also rideable.
The root trail was dry and easy to ride, the trails down to Pfäffikon are very nice and flowy, but were still a bit wet and slippery. The Löliwald is a must for all trail lovers!
Conclusion: Always a nice and rewarding tour.
Checked 2023
Recommended: Include the trail in the Ruestelwald forest. At the end of the St. Meinradtrail, ride along the road towards Feusisberg (Pt. 16.6km on the tour) for approx. 400m before turning right. Follow this road for approx. 100m until you reach a 1A trail on the left after the Holzstoss down to the highway (on the map this corresponds to the dotted path along the edge of the forest).
Continue down along the highway to the road bridge crossing, then up to Löliwald (point 17.6km on the tour) and from there follow the original route.
It is generally recommended not to ride the tour immediately after rainy days, as the trails on the Etzel are then likely to be muddy and slippery.
I can also highly recommend the detour! It's definitely worth it!
Did the tour yesterday with the Bio-Bike.
It had a "general riding ban" at KM. 3.4 sign and 17.7 (barrier) The trails are really cool. For me, however, the descent doesn't make up for the long ascent. However, I would do the tour again with an e-bike.
I think the tour - from Schindellegi onwards - is worth every single drop of sweat! I wouldn't take the many no-cycling signs too seriously. In Schwyz, they don't seem to have discovered the signs banning bikes yet. You are allowed to ride the trails, how else are you supposed to get up there?
Very nice tour. The first two thirds of the ascent are on very quiet asphalt roads, later on forest and field paths. Wonderful views. The downhill trails are great, with lots of fun root sections at the top - which required a bit of concentration today in the rain and mud 😊. On the way, we actually came across the trail builders in the forest at work - super nice! 👌
Rode a fun short tour today. The trail is fun.
Taking the train to Schindellegi saves a few more meters in altitude and time.
There are still some old, half-built bike trails on the left and right that are easy to see and can be easily incorporated. Then return to the GPX afterwards.
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