Beautiful Panorama hike Lachen-Etzel-Einsiedeln

Lachen-Etzel-Einsiedeln T1, 18km, 900m ascent, 400m descent The weather forecast for Sunday 27th September 2026 is wonderful, with temperatures at the Etzel peak of 19°C. The hike starts at 08:15 in Lachen SZ at the AVEC supermarket in the train station. (Train from Zurich HB at 07:30 !!) See detailed description of panorama and highlights further below under HIGHLIGHTS. RSVP: Please respond no later than Friday with your firm participation. OUTBOUND TRAVEL: 07:30 Meet under the «Blue Angel» in Zurich HB (note: I will only join the group in Lachen) 07:43 S25 (direction Linthal) to Lachen SZ 08:12 Lachen SZ 08:15 Meet the group at the AVEC supermarket in train station of Lachen SZ THE HIKE: Duration: 5h30’ (plus breaks) Distance: 18km Maximum altitude: 1'100m Ascent/descent: 900m/400m SAC classification: T1 MAP AND ROUTE PROFILE: https://swisstopo.app/i/5/66QR5CHB HIGHLIGHTS: Restaurant Berggasthof Etzel-Kulm: https://schwyz-tourismus.ch/gastronomiebetrieb/berggasthof-etzel-kulm The Fortress: https://www.festung-oberland.ch/sperren/reduitbrigade-24/st-meinrad-etzel/ Einsiedeln Cathedral: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EinsiedelnAbbey https://www.kloster-einsiedeln.ch/ DESCRIPTION: We will experience fantastic panoramic views over Lake Zurich and the panorama of the Alps, ascend the dominating pyramid of Etzel, and finish at the majestic alpine monastery cathedral in Einsiedeln, all while enjoying the deep historic significance of this region: Located at the border between Zurich and central Switzerland, vacillating between the modern steel and glass tax haven of Pfäffikon-Freienbach with its thirty mostly Russian billionaires, against a historic background of papal Catholicism fighting the Protestantism brought about by neighboring Glarus chasing away their originally catholic priest Zwingli in 1515 to Zurich, from whence Swiss evangelical ideas moved to France, England, and ultimately to the American bible belt. Along the way we will notice the beautiful mediterranean flair of the harbor marina of Lachen, pass along the historic St. Johann chapel on its lookout high over town and lake, and for the first 400m of altitude gain we will experience an incredible panoramic view of Lake Zurich from its beginning in the Linth marshes until the lake’s end in Zurich. For the final ascent our path then enters the forest and walks up to the Etzelpass at St. Meinrad chapel, from where it winds up some steep stairs along historic machine gun bunkers defending the Etzel-Einsiedeln fortress line of the Swiss military WW2 Reduit strategy of concentrating the army in the alps. The free standing peak of the Etzel pyramid at 1100m offers an incredible 360° view, from Walensee and the Eastern Alps over to Lake Constance in the north to Zurich in the west, sweeping over the billowing steam plumes of our beloved 1960s nuclear plants in the far distance, to Uetliberg, Mythen, the Sihlsee, the Glarner Alpen, and onto the crown jewel and destination of our hike, the benedictine monastery and its outsized baroque cathedral in Einsiedeln. The peak restaurant at Etzel serves fabulous cake and frowns on picnic, so we will have a breakfast there, while postponing our sandwich break for later along the hike. Descending from Etzel we cross the historic medieval wooden bridge at Sihlboden, and make our way back up to the meadows plain which was flooded in the 1930s by the SBB to create the dam for their power station at the Sihlsee. Walking along the cross-country slope around Sihlsee we notice the mound at Galgenenchappeli ("Gallows Chapel"), where the good abbot of Einsiedeln would historically hang all those found in disagreement, an event always found to the delight and enjoyment of the populace. As we approach Einsiedeln we take a slight detour to the St. Benedikt lookout behind the monastery, so as to fully appreciate the massive buildings the devout mountain farmers and the rent collected by the monastery as the largest landowner far and wide have created, from what was originally a hermit cabin ("Einsiedelei") in a remote mountain forest. Those in a hurry can then head to the train station for a short bi-hourly 50min ride back to Zurich. For those in a Sunday contemplative mood, we will visit the cathedral, see pilgrims from the far corners of Catholicism praying to the Black Madonna, and pet the fabulous horses of the prized horse farm of the monastery. EQUIPMENT: Sunscreen Good sturdy shoes with a Vibram sole. (categorically no sandals or open shoes) Rain jacket, just in case. Picnic lunch and Water (It will be hot and it’s a long walk. Maybe you can refill your bottle at Etzel, no guarantee) Money, smartphone, ID, health insurance card, train ticket Good mood 😊 LUNCH: Picnic RETURN TRAVEL: Depart Einsiedeln ca 16:00 Trains every hour at xx:24 and xx:59 from Einsiedeln, connecting through Wädenswil to Zurich HB. It takes about 50 minutes, with the last train leaving at 23:24. COST w/HALBTAX: Total cost about CHF 22.- w/HT (plus food/drinks) Thereof: A ZVV Z-Pass Ostwind Halbtax day-pass at CHF 21.40 seems to carry about the same price as the two individual Halbtax tickets. COST w/GA: none (plus food/drinks) DISCLAIMER: By joining this walk, you acknowledge and accept the terms set out below. This is NOT a guided tour. It is a private get-together of individuals hiking together. Each participant remains responsible for their own judgement, decisions, actions and safety. It is your responsibility to prepare appropriately before the event. You need to understand the nature of the activity, assess its difficulty and risks, and consider the expected weather and trail conditions. You also need to assess the experience, skills and level of fitness required and decide for yourself whether you meet these requirements. You are responsible for your own preparation, equipment (boots, clothing, gear, etc.) and adequate insurance cover. Prepare and equip yourself as you would if you were undertaking the walk on your own. During the event, you remain responsible for exercising your own judgement and making your own decisions. If at any point you consider the route, conditions or any other circumstances unsafe or unsuitable for you, it is your responsibility to act accordingly. Participation is entirely at your own risk. The organiser does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the event description and merely provides an opportunity for participants to meet and hike together. Any liability of the organiser is excluded. By joining, you accept that you may appear in photos. Please do not expect photos to be removed or withheld from posting unless there is a compelling reason, such as a particularly embarrassing or inappropriate image.