A Descent to Schwyz between the Gross and Klein Mythen

Wednesday August 19th, 2020 -- About a year ago at this time, we did a hike along "the back side" of the two Mythen Peaks, the prominent mountains which form the backdrop of the quaint city of Schwyz, which is the capital city of the Canton of the same name. On that hike we discovered an alpine dairy located between the two peaks, aptly named Zwüschet-Mythen (= "Between the Mythens"), where we purchased some of the cheese they make on site when they spend the summers there. It was the best cheese we'd ever had, and we had intended to return this summer to purchase more.

So on this beautiful sunny day with very clear air, we headed up the fairly recently completed Rothenfluh gondola cableway, from whose summit station it is only a 40-minute walk to the farm, where we purchased two kilos of the cheese, and also had a lunch of bread and cheese (how original) and their home-made sausages.

After the lunch, we walked up BETWEEN the two peaks, something we had not done before, and to our great surprise, descended on a wonderfully well-laid path which consisted mostly of steps for the first 200m of the total 940m descent back to the town of Schwyz. (On our ascent with the cable car, the Schwyz side of the peaks looked like a vertical drop, and we anticipated a steep and difficult trail!).

The larger of the two peaks, Gross Mythen, is a popular peak to climb and is overrun with people at the best of times. We did the ascent in 2014 and so don't need to do it again. Fortunately for us, barely anyone else spent any time on the West side of the mountain where we descended. We finished off the hike with a look at the town's main square, which basically consists of St.Martin's parish church (considered the most grandiose parish church in Switzerland) and the beautifully painted City Hall building.

Oh, and when we did the hike on this trail a year ago, we were with Urs' Uncle Tobias, who knows the area well, and brought to our attention that chamois often hang out beneath the steep cliffs near the farm, so we knew where to look, and they were there again! Always fun.

From the train station in Schwyz, you take a bus to the Rothenfluh cable car station. A glimpse toward the Uri Alps West of Lake Uri confirms that we have a fantastic visibility today!

As the bus heads through the main square in Schwyz, we get a good look at "Zwischen Mythen", i.e. the space between the two peaks where we are coming over from the other side.

As we head up in the gondola cable car on the side of the Gross Mythen (= Greater Mythen), we cannot imagine that we could actually do a passage there!

Heading up from Rickenbach (Schwyz) on the Rothenfluh gondola cableway

Passing by Gross Mythen, you can see the zigzag trail that goes up to the summit. A very popular trail. Side note: The red rock at the top is older than the rock below it, indicating that the Earth's crust was flipped over to create this peak

Although we were alone in the cable car, we are used to keeping on our masks!

There is a look-out point next to the restaurant at Rothenfluh. What a fantastic view of the region: Schwyz below, Brunnen and Lake Lucerne on the left, Mt. Pilatus and Mt. Rigi in the center, Lake Lauerz below that, and right behind Lake Lauerz is Lake Zug

There are several of these picture frames around popular areas in Switzerland. It's part of "The Grand Tour of Switzerland", and I have collected about a half dozen so far.

A close-up view of the trail up Mt. Mythen. All there is at the top is a restaurant and rather small viewing area.

A view to the east to the mountains in the Muotathal and Hoch Ybrig regions.

A view to the North into the Alpthal Valley, and the place called "Zwischen-Mythen"

An approx. 3-hour hike: 40 minutes from Rothenfluh cable-car station to the Zwüschet-Mythen Alp Restauratn, then a short ascent, and an almost 1000-m descent to Schwyz.

Skihaus Holzegg

A view South to the popular vacation village of Stoos, and the look-out point called Fronalpstock. The world's steepest funicular runs up to the village of Stoss from the valley bottom.

At Holzegg Restaurant, the trail goes in four directions. The most popular trail is to go up to the peak of the Gross Mythen.

A look North into the Alpthal Valley. We have walked down from here once before.

Approaching Alp Zwüschet-Mythen

We caught sight of three chamois on the North flank of the Gross Mythen. They seemed quite comfortable here!

VIDEO:

Chamois calmly grazing on the flank of the Gross Mythen

They seem to be used to the sound of cowbells,

and the hikers passing by

Alp Zwüschet-Mythen

Refreshments, then a lunch of cheese and bread, and in the foreground, our purchase of two kilograms of cheese! And an address for their farm in Schwyz where we can purchase more in the winter season, yay!

Heading up the hill to cross over between the two peaks. This view is to the East.

As we cross at the highest point on the trail, first view back down on the Schwyz side, to the city of Brunnen on Lake Lucerne.

We were expecting a steep and slippery trail, but a huge effort was made to create a very long set of stairs, which were very pleasant to walk down on.

Taking a break on a bench to drink in the view

Zoomed view of this building in Schwyz, which is called the Collegium and is an academic institution (high school for approx. Grades 10-12).

A nice descent through the forest: Looking up at the cliffs above us.

View from above to the town of Schwyz

Zoomed view of the main square in Schwyz, with St. Martin's parish church

A little window in the forest

Another rest on a bench before the last stretch into the town.

The Collegium

Some very nice villas!

A look back at where we descended from

Heading toward St.Martin's

The little chapel building is the ossuary that belongs to the church. Unfortunately all the doors were locked and you could not see into the windows.

The first thing we did when we got down to the town of Schwyz was, of course, to check out the parish church, St. Martin's, which is the 6th church at this location, the first having been built in 730, and this most recent being late-Baroque from the mid-18th Century. It is considered the most grandiose parish church in Switzerland.

St.Martin's as viewed from the main square

Pompously decorated, but still light and airy, this is late-Baroque style from the mid 18th-Century.

A stunning organ with loads of gold-leaf

The back side of the church

And across from the church is the wonderfully painted city hall building, depicting the historical battle at Morgarten in 1315. The only drawback of this beautiful old town is that the traffic passes through the main square, which really takes away from the atmosphere.