The Stoos Ridge Hike is arguably one of the most scenic hiking trails in Switzerland. It does take some effort to reach the trail and complete the hike, but you will be rewarded with the most incredible panoramic views! Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about hiking the Stoos Ridge Trail.
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What You Should Know Before Hiking the Stoos Ridge Trail
Table of Contents
- Stoos Ridge Hike Information
- How do I get to the Stoos Ridge Hike?
- What to Expect When Hiking the Stoos Ridge Trail
Stoos Ridge Hike Information
- How long is the Stoos Ridge Trail? The trail is approximately 2.9 miles from the Klingenstock mountain station to the Fronalpstock station.
- How difficult is the Stoos Ridge Trail? The trail is rated moderate. The well-marked path follows up and down the ridgeline. The high elevation and hilly trail will have your heart pumping!
- What is the elevation gain? The Stoos Ridge Trail from Klingenstock to Fronalpstock has an elevation gain of 902 feet.
- Is there a fee to hike the Stoos Ridge Trail? There is no fee to hike the trail, but you will need to purchase a ticket to ride the Stoosbahn and the chairlift to reach the trailhead. You will also need to pay for parking at the Stoosbahn station if you have a car.
- How long does it take to hike the Stoos Ridge Trail? Plan for about 2-3 hours to hike the trail, you’ll want to stop for photos and a picnic break!
- Can kids hike the Stoos Ridge Trail? Yes! We saw several families with kids on the trail and I’m sure this is a hike they will always remember! It can be challenging, especially for kids, so you may need to carry them if their little legs get tired.
- Is the Stoos Ridge Trail dog-friendly? Yes! Dogs are allowed on this hiking trail, but keep in mind that they will need to ride the funicular and chairlift to reach the trail.
- Is the Stoos Ridge Trail open year-round? No, the trail is open from mid-May through the end of October. It is closed during the winter months.
How do I get to the Stoos Ridge Hike?
To reach the Stoos Ridge hike, you will need to take the Stoos funicular (Stoosbahn) from Schwyz to the small mountain town of Stoos.
There isn’t a train station at the Stoosbahn base station, but you can take a train to Schwyz, Bahnhof then take a bus to Schwyz, Stoosbahn. If you are driving, a parking lot is located at the Stoosbahn station.
Stoos Funicular
The Stoos Funicular is the steepest railway funicular in the world. It has a max gradient of 110% and it feels like you are riding vertically up the mountain!
The one-mile track climbs about 2,440 feet in elevation during the approximate 7-minute ride. The scenic ride offers views of the valley as it travels up the track, over a bridge, and through 3 different tunnels.
Two trains run continuously throughout the day from 7:10 am to 9:40 pm Sunday through Thursday, and 7:10 am to 11:40 pm Friday and Saturday. Click the link for the current timetable.
Each train has 4 cabins which hold up to 34 passengers per cabin, so with 136 passengers per train the wait usually isn’t very long.
The price when we rode the funicular was 23.20 CHF round trip. It is free if you have a Swiss Travel Pass, they also accept half-fare cards. Check the Stoosbahn website for current pricing.
Stoos Village
The funicular takes you to the idyllic mountain town of Stoos. This remote car-free town is home to a small ski resort, a handful of farms, a few cafes, and a fairytale Alpine church.
Be sure to take time either before or after your hike to walk around the town and grab ice cream or a bite to eat.
Klingenstock Chairlift
The Stoos Ridge Trail is a point-to-point trail from Klingenstock to Fronalpstock, both of which can be reached via a chairlift from Stoos.
When purchasing your Stoosbahn ticket, you will also need to purchase a separate ticket for the chairlift. During our visit, the price was 33 CHF for a return ticket. Check the website for updated pricing.
We recommend beginning your hike at Klingenstock, this is the most popular choice as it has slightly less elevation gain and you will have the views in front of you the entire hike.
To reach Klingenstock, you will see a sign-marked trail to the left after you exit the Stoosbahn station. You will follow the trail uphill for about 7 minutes until you reach the 6-person chairlift.
The chairlift ride from Stoos to Klingenstock takes approximately 7 minutes. You’ll be surrounded by beautiful scenery every minute of the ride as you go up through the clouds with the sound of cowbells echoing in the valley below.
What to Expect When Hiking the Stoos Ridge Trail
It does take some effort to reach the beginning of the trail, but it is well worth it!
The trail follows along the narrow ridge and offers breathtaking 360-degree views over the surrounding Alps, Lake Lucerne, and countless picturesque Swiss villages dotting the countryside.
It was our favorite hike during our trip! For our full itinerary, see our guide An Ambitious 7-Day Switzerland Itinerary.
The Stoos Ridge Trail is approximately 2.9 miles from Klingenstock to Fronalpstock and takes about 2-3 hours to complete, depending on how often you stop for photos and snacks.
Try to plan your visit on a sunny day. When the clouds roll in, there is not much visibility from the top and the incredible views will be covered with a layer of clouds.
With that being said, if you have spent any time in Switzerland, you will know that the weather is unpredictable and constantly changing. It can start sunny but quickly turn windy, cloudy, and rainy at the summit, even in the summer.
I tried out the BAERSkin Tactical Hoodie on this trip and was impressed with the fit and performance. Not only is it cute, cozy, and soft, but it is also well-insulated and kept me warm on this hike when the winds picked up.
The trail consists of a lot of up-and-down hills, and your lungs will be working over time with the higher elevation. Thankfully, we didn’t feel any altitude sickness, though.
Your knees will also be feeling it with all the stairs! I recommend bringing hiking poles to help absorb the impact on your knees, and good hiking shoes are also a must.
The trail is well-marked and easy to follow. There are stairs and rails in the steeper sections and the trail felt safe without sheer drop-offs.
The trail does get crowded and there are spots where you can only pass single file, so it’s best to arrive earlier in the morning on a weekday.
You’ll find a few grassy spots along the trail and even a table where you can bring a picnic and soak up the views while eating lunch.
Related Post: For more hiking trail recommendations, see our guide 4 of the Best Hikes in Switzerland (For the Average Hiker)!
Fronalpstock Chairlift
The last uphill stretch to Fronalpstock is challenging but worth it! The view from the summit at 6,302 feet will take your breath away as you look over 11 different lakes and countless mountain peaks.
Enjoy a well-deserved meal with a view at the Fronalpstock restaurant. For a truly memorable experience, spend the night at the Fronalpstock Hotel where you can wake up to a spectacular sunrise and enjoy the incredible scenery without the crowds.
After resting and enjoying the views, take the chairlift from Fronalpstock back down to Stoos.
Once you reach Stoos, it will be about a 10-minute walk to the Stoosbahn station. The path passes by the picturesque Maria Hilf Chapel which was built in 1932, be sure to stop for a photo.
After wandering around Stoos, it’s time to take the funicular back down to the Schwyz Valley station and conclude your incredible Stoos Ridge Hike! For one of our other favorite Switzerland hikes, see our Weekend Guide to Oeschinensee!
A few more posts you might like:
- 9 Things to Do in Lucerne in One Day
- 8 Fun Things to Do in Grindelwald
- 9 of the Best Things to Do in Lauterbrunnen
- The Best Things to Do in Meiringen (A Swiss Hidden Gem)
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