Nüsellstock

Nüsellstock is a hill of roughly 1,478 m above sea level that rises above Rothenthurm in the canton of Schwyz, central Switzerland. It is the village's local mountain and a high point on the ridge that separates the Alpthal valley from Einsiedeln and the Sattel area. The nearby Nüsell pass takes its name from it and is a well-known road-bike climb from Rothenthurm.

Where is Nüsellstock?

The summit sits in the Schwyz Prealps, where the municipalities of Rothenthurm, Alpthal and Einsiedeln meet. From the ridge you get views of Lake Sihl, Lake Zurich, the town of Einsiedeln and the Alpine chain. Meadows, the Rothenthurm raised bogs and wooded slopes follow each other, so the scenery keeps changing.

How do you get to the top?

The easiest starting point is Rothenthurm railway station. The Rothenthurm Thorthour, a loop of about 27 to 28 km, reaches the Nüsellstock roughly halfway round, listed at about 1,478 m. Allow eight to nine hours without breaks, so it suits fit walkers. A shorter alternative is the ridge hike from Sattel-Hochstuckli: the rotating gondola climbs from Sattel to Mostelberg in about 8 minutes, and the path then runs over Hochstuckli and the Nüsellstock towards Einsiedeln. The full ridge route from Altmatt takes around 6 hours with 960 m of ascent and 820 m of descent, with many ups and downs above the Alpthal.

Some paths cross the Rothenthurm military training area, so check current access before you set out.

What else is nearby?

• Hochstuckli: a summit with views of the Mythen and the Central Swiss Prealps. The loop from Mostelberg takes about 2 h 20 min with 488 m of climbing.
• Mostelberg Skywalk: a suspension bridge of nearly 400 m, reached by a detour from the Schwyzer Höhenweg (Sattel to Haggenegg section).
• Nüsell pass: the road climb starts at Rothenthurm church (930 m), runs about 4 km and gains close to 390 m at an average gradient near 10%. The pass top is at around 1,318 m.

When should you go?

Trails are most comfortable from late spring to autumn. Mountain bikers report that the final climb to the Nüsellstock itself means pushing the bike in places, with roots and steep steps. In winter, the small Neusell – Rothenthurm-Biberegg ski area lies about 2 km from the village centre, with a drag lift running between roughly 970 and 1,322 m.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Nüsellstock? Route guides give 1,478 or 1,479 m. The pass of the same name is lower, at about 1,318 m.

Where is the best place to start? Rothenthurm station, or the Sattel-Hochstuckli valley station if you prefer to begin with the gondola ride to Mostelberg.

Is the route hard? The full loop from Rothenthurm is a day-long walk. Ridge sections have many ascents and descents, and some bike-oriented stretches are steep.

Can you ski here in winter? Yes, a small slope at Biberegg has a drag lift, but it is a local hill rather than a large resort.