Two Short Winter Walks on either side of Ibergeregg Pass in Canton Schwyz

Saturday January 13, 2023 -- The sun continues to shine above the fog, so we headed out on another winter hike on prepared trails at elevations of over 1000 meters above sea level (because that's what the forecast claimed was the top level of the fog, which was just about exactly what it was!). 

We didn't go as far as last time, and chose a winter sport region in Canton Schwyz called the "Mythen Region", i.e. the area east of the two Mythen Mountains, a region where we have done a lot of hiking in summer, but never in winter. Between the Muota Valley and Lake Sihl (Sihlsee) is a pass called Ibergeregg, which till this year was only accessible by bus in summer. But starting November 2023, the bus now runs in winter as well, which means we have access by public transit, which turns out to be almost better than by car on a sunny weekend, as even though the bus was pretty full with winter sports fans, all the parking lots along the way were even more packed!

We did two "separate" official winter hikes starting at the pass, both of them about 90 minutes each. The first was a small loop tour on the Muota Valley side, and the second was a 4-km long prepared trail walking northeast down the valley to the community of Oberiberg, a summertime hike we did back in June of 2017. (Those photos are HERE)

In the lower elevations below the 1000-meter line we traveled through some thick fog again on our way to the pass. But it's because of the lack of sun that the snow stays on the trees, and makes the forests look so pretty!

On the road to Ibergeregg Pass, the fog dissipated at right about the 1000-meter level, as predicted!

Emerging from the fog, so pretty!

This parking lot is near the base station of one of the popular ski lifts here, called Handgruobi, and as we passed here by bus at 10:43, this lot, as well as one further down, was packed full of cars... 

The Ibergeregg Pass is at just over 1400 meters above sea level, so above the fog this day and loads of sunshine! The first walk we are doing is along trail no. 564, the "Ibergeregg Loop Trail" towards Zwäcken (a restaurant) and when we get back here again, we continue to Oberiberg, another 4 kilometers. 

For the first walk we did trail no. 564, the "Ibergeregg Loop Trail", starting at the Ibergeregg Pass at 11 a.m, walking to Zwäcken and Müesliegg, then descending to the Ski Restaurant at Gross Boden, and returning to Ibergeregg at 12:30. So it took us exactly 90 minutes. 

A very short ski fan on his way somewhere! 

Looking back in the direction of the Ibergeregg Pass as we head westward along the crest. 

Behind me we can see the thick fog at the entrance to the Muotatal (Muota Valley). The plateau at upper left is the very popular recreation village of Stoos (offers both downhill and cross-country skiing), which we found out later was just as packed with cars at the valley station as this side of the valley!

Heading west, the peaks of the two Mythen Mountains appear ahead of us. 

Below us is the restaurant at Zwäcken. It's now 11:20 and the tables are packed with early lunch-goers. 

The early-lunch crowd! It's not even noon yet.

Urs had a craving for a sausage in a bun!

While I waited for Urs, I got a kick out of this fellow peeking around the corner!

Continuing along the crest now, we can see the parking lot below, one of two full parking lots we passed on our way up to the pass by bus!

After a short downhill stretch, we have changed direction and are now heading back eastward along the lower part of the loop. 

A look directly south to the ski village of Stoos. This upper plateau is accessed from the Muota Valley via the steepest funicular in the world, opened in December 2017. 

And a closer look at the summit of the "Large Mythen" (Gross Mythen). It amazes me that they built a restaurant up there. It is a popular summit to walk up to. The red rock at the top is older than the rock below it. 

At the lowest point of our walk is the base station of the Grossenboden ski lift. The hundreds of skis leaning out front of the restaurant shows that there are a lot of people here (it's exactly noon). 

From here it should be another 20 minutes back to the pass. There is another loop trail that crosses here, Trail no. 561, the "St.Karl-Ibergeregg Loop Trail", which is longer than the one we did (6 km) and descends the hillside further. 

As we head back up toward the pass, a look behind us shows that the restaurant's terrace is indeed full! And also there is still a lot of fog in the Schwyz area. At the back on the right, Mount Pilatus is just visible. 

Heading uphill now toward the Ibergeregg Pass. The fog in the background covers Lake Luzern. (Mount Pilatus on the right at the back). As you can see, it was comfortably mild... here I've already removed TWO jackets!

We got back to the pass at 12:30 (so the walk took us 90 minutes) and headed out on the next winter trail, heading Northeast on the other side of the Pass. This is a trail we have done before, but in summer. Photos are HERE. The trail was estimated to take 75 minutes. 

This is the ski hill at the pass. There are more little people here pretty independent on the ski hill!

On the north side of the pass, the trees are still very pretty with the snow not yet melted!

The unbroken surface of the snow is full of tiny crystals.....

This second walk was more enjoyable, as there were fewer people along the trail. 

A last look to the south to the Hotel and Restaurant (and full parking lot) at the Ibergeregg Pass

Heading northwards now toward Oberiberg. The prepared trail is wide, and also shared by skiiers, but there were very few, as it's not part of the main ski area. A ski slope joins later from the left.  

Continuing along our very peaceful trail. Somewhere along the way we had found a convenient and dry bench in the sunshine where we ate our sandwiches

A view of the village of Oberiberg as we head down on the final descent. 

A close-up look at Oberiberg. What is not really distinguishable here is that there is another valley on the other side of this village, which is basically perched on a saddle between two valleys. 

A really close look past the highest buildings in Oberiberg, and into the other valley. We recognized the little church higher up on the other hillside, a church which we visited on a hike along that hillside in February of last year, those photos are HERE.  

Coming down off the mountain now at river level and close to the bus stop at a ski lift to the other side of the valley. This second trail took us less than 90 minutes to walk. 

The river here is called the Minster, and it flows northwards into Lake Sihl (Sihlsee). We got here at 14:05 and decided to walk to the next bus stop down the road, instead of waiting at the parking lot for the 14:20 bus. There was a narrow trodden path here, easy to walk. 

Walking along the Minster River to the next bus stop, to catch the 14:20 bus. 

At the bus stop, these crystals adorned the little building window!

This is what the full hike looks like which we did: First the loop hike from Ibergeregg Pass via Müsliegg, and then from the pass to Oberiberg. In all, a 3-hour and almost 10-km walk. 

The following photos were taken from the bus to Einsiedeln, and from the train from Einsiedeln down to Wädenswil on Lake Zurich. In all, our trip home took less than two hours.

Heading down the "Minster Valley" toward the town of Unteriberg, which is the town at the junction of the two valleys. 

South of Unteriberg on the way to Lake Sihlsee is another side valley called Sihltal. This large flat area is a popular cross-country ski region. 

Looking into the Sihl Valley. Back in May of 2023 we hiked from that village over the lower pass on the left, those photos are HERE. Also, this is the same view but in summer, a photo from a hike we did in the region in August 2023 --> SIHLTAL

Now we are passing along the south side of Lake Sihlsee

Crossing the lake on the bridge from East to West, here's a look southwards into the Hoch-Ybrig region of Canton Schwyz. 

Still heading north on the bus, along the west side of the lake this time. 

And this was a parking lot in Einsiedeln!!!!!

The large Einsiedeln Monastery. 

From Einsiedeln we took a train toward Lake Zurich

The trees are fantastic!

At the height of Schindeleggi, we entered into the fog again. In a way, it's a bit depressing to travel home through the fog after enjoying such nice sun-drenched countryside for a few hours!

Location of the Ibergeregg Pass in Switzerland