Etzel

Etzel is a mountain of roughly 1,098 m near Einsiedeln in Switzerland, straddling the border of the cantons of Schwyz and Zurich. It rises between Lake Zurich and the Sihlsee reservoir. St. Meinrad's chapel sits on the pass below the summit, and a mountain inn near the top serves one of the region's best panoramas.

What will you see on Etzel?

Near the summit, at the Etzel Kulm inn, the view runs north across almost the whole of Lake Zurich. To the south the Sihlsee glitters, and on clear days the Mythen peaks stand out. Hiking descriptions say that in good weather you can even pick out the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

The second highlight is St. Meinrad's chapel on the Etzelpass, at about 950 m. Tradition says the monk Meinrad settled here as a hermit around 828, and that two robbers killed him in 861. The present chapel dates from 1698, replacing a building that tradition dates to the 13th century. The Kühne Foundation funded a restoration that finished in January 2011.

What is the Etzelpass?

The pass links Pfäffikon SZ with Einsiedeln over a road of about 12 km. The Via Jacobi, the Swiss section of the Way of St. James, crosses it. From 1941 the pass was fortified with bunkers and tank barriers as part of the Swiss Réduit defence plan, and traces of these works remain.

How do you get to Etzel?

A PostBus runs to the pass from Einsiedeln, and from Pfäffikon SZ via Feusisberg. Cars can park on the pass itself. For a longer outing, start at Schindellegi railway station, walk via Büel and Etzel Kulm to the pass, and continue to Einsiedeln. Hiking guides give about five hours and rate it as sporty.

Which route should you pick?

• Short loop from the pass: about 3 km and one hour. You pass a small raised bog, then climb to the top. The descent is steep in places.
• Circular route St. Meinrad – Etzelkulm: a loop joining the chapel and the summit, recommended by regional tourism offices.
• Schindellegi to Einsiedeln: a full day in the hills, with views and a pilgrim stretch.

When should you go?

A clear day from late spring to autumn gives the best views. Check the inn's opening hours and the trail conditions before you set out, as both vary by season.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Etzel? The summit is about 1,098 m above sea level, and the Etzelpass lies at about 950 m.

Can you hike Etzel with children? Yes. The short loop from the pass takes around an hour and is easy. The descent is steep in places, so keep a close eye on small children.

What can you see from the top? Lake Zurich, the Sihlsee and the Mythen, and with excellent visibility the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

Can you reach the pass without a car? Yes, PostBus services run from Einsiedeln and from Pfäffikon SZ via Feusisberg.