Alpine Panorama Trail from Egg to Lachen in Canton Schwyz

Saturday May 29, 2021 -- When we did that hike on Mother's day, the one along Trail no.3 "Alpine Panorama Trail", I said to Urs, we should only do sections of the Alpine Panorama Trail when the weather report is good, because really, there are always views of the Alps.

Well, I didn't follow my own advice when we decided on Saturday to do another section of the Alpine Panorama Trail near Einsiedeln, which is in Canton Schwyz and very nearby. The section from the Etzel Pass to Lachen on Lake Zürich passes over a peak called "Stöcklichrüz" which is not a high mountain, but it affords great views of the Alps, especially the Glarner Alps. Or it should, if the clouds are not sitting on the mountains..... as they were this day.

The forecast had promised sunshine from about noon on, and since it would take two hours to get to the top of the Stöcklichrüz, we figured we'd be safe to start at 10:30 from the nearest bus stop in the village of Egg, in Canton Schwyz. This meant we didn't have to leave home too early, but because the bus runs only every two hours, the next one would mean a hiking start at 12:30, which we prefer not to do.

It was cold, and overcast, and such a disappointment with the lack of view that I determined to return on Tuesday to see what the mountains SHOULD look like (way better forecast for Tuesday!)

The descent to Lachen was a pleasant surprise and made up for the lack of view: Very nice trails, lots of cows, and the sun finally came out near the end of our hike, so we spent some time at the lake watching the ducks while waiting for a connecting train in Wädenswil.

As usual, my albums start with a picture of the local church. That's because there's usually a bus stop in front of the church and our hikes start there! This village is called EGG, and it's in Canton Schwyz, near Einsiedeln

In Egg, the signs tell us that it will take us 2 hours and 10 minutes to reach the summit of Mt. Stöcklichrüz... we are hoping that by then the clouds will have cleared. It's now already 10:40....

This is a very interesting use of solar panels!

Heading up the hill from Egg, on our way to join Trail no.3: The "Alpine Panorama Trail". In the background is the village of Egg

Something nice along the way

This particular farm breeds these alpacas called "Suri-Alpacas". They apparently have won many prizes, according to the ribbons displayed on the barn

The first disppointing view of Pfäffikon and Lake Zürich. So hazy....

Even though we had brought our picnic lunch along, we came to this restaurant (Körnlisegg) after one hour of walking, and decided short-notice to have lunch here, to kill some time in the hope that the clouds would clear. I hadn't had French Fries in months!!

Restaurant Körnlisegg

After lunch we headed on our way again. We were sitting at this end of the closest picnic table. As of this weekend, restaurants were still only allowed to serve out-of-doors. Starting June 1st, indoor service was again possible.

From Restaurant Körnlisegg, it's another one hour to Stöcklichrüz, and another three hours to Lachen, where we will get back on the train.

Heading uphill from the restaurant. The view is really sad... You are supposed to see the two Mythen Mountains from here.

Lake Zürich barely visible in the background.

Final few meters to the summit of Mt. Stöcklichrüz

To the North, the skies are clearing a bit over Lake Zürich

To the South, there should be way more mountains visible. On that other hill is another farm/restaurant named Güeteregg, which I actually went to a couple of days later on the "rerun" of this hike.

Here we head down the other side of this mini-mountain, in the direction of Lake Zürich. There is really nothing to see from here (it turns out you can see all the way to Mt. Säntis).... I had a nap at the summit, which refreshed me for the two-hour descent, which actually turned out to be very pleasant

It's fun when you get to walk through the pastures where the cows are, especially babies like these!

The descent was pleasant and idyllic, a real surprise

It's almost 3 p.m. and now some of the mountains are starting to be visible

More cow pastures to cross

The clouds are lifting

At this point we started having some sunshine!

Fantastic panorama

The skies are clearing above Lake Zürich. This part of the lake is actually called Obersee (Upper Lake) and the part South of the narrow land bar is Lake Zürich.

Coffee Break

Down below is the town of Siebnen.

Finally! This is the weather we were expecting! It's now almost 4 p.m. We are really enjoying this descent because we have never approached Lake Zürich from this angle.

Three days of good weather are forecast, so the farmers are busy cutting their meadows, whose grasses have grown very tall with all the rain we've had

A lone iris on the side of the road

Final descent to Lachen. By now it is actually quite warm....

A four-hour hike along Trail no.3: Alpine Panorama Trail. There is no bus up to the Etzel Pass, where it would have been logical to start. The closest bus stop was in EGG.

It took us an hour to the restaurant, another hour to the highest point, and two more hours down to Lachen. Then we took a train to Wädenswil, where we waited 20 minutes at the lakeside for our connecting train

We had 20 minutes for changing trains in Wädenswil on Lake Zurich. By now it was a very pleasant day. It's now 5 p.m., and we will be home in less than an hour