Stoos Ridge Hike: Klingenstock to Fronalpstock, Lake Lucerne Region

High above Lake Lucerne, the Stoos Ridge Trail (Gratwanderung Stoos in German) runs between Klingenstock Peak and Fronalpstock Peak in the Schwyzer Alps of Switzerland. 

The narrow high trail traces the undulating Stoos ridge, delivering sweeping views of the Lake Lucerne region. 

A series of cableways (funicular + chairlifts) make this hike fairly accessible. The upside is that many people can enjoy the thrill of a ridge trail with little effort. But with greater accessibility comes more foot traffic. 

Is the Stoos ridge worth it? It depends on the weather conditions. On clear sunny days, absolutely. On overcast days with poor visibility, it’s not worth it. 

When we started researching this hike, I was overwhelmed by the logistics. Below, you’ll find a succinct step by step overview, which should eliminate any confusion.

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Stoos Ridge Hiking Map

To view an interactive map of this trail, check out our 5-Day Lucerne Itinerary for Hikers.

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Essential Trail Info

Hiking Season | The Stoos Ridge Trail is open from (mid-May) June until the end of October, so long as the trail is snow-free.

Trail Direction | You can hike this trail in either direction. However, we recommend starting in Klingenstock and ending in Fronalpstock, because the views unfold more dramatically. Furthermore, there’s a restaurant at Fronalpstock with a panoramic terrace, which makes for a more satisfying and appetizing ending. Lastly, the Fronalpstock-Stoos chairlifts run longer than the Klingenstock-Stoos chairlift.

Difficulty | This is a moderate trail (T2) with no technical difficulty. But, the trail isn’t flat. There are numerous ascending and descending passages. As is common with most ridge trails, there are some steep drop-offs along the path. None of the drop-offs are precarious, or exposed, but those with fear of heights may find certain areas dizzying.

Cableway Ticket Package | At the Schwyz Stoosbahn funicular valley station, purchase the Stoos Peak Experience Ticket (Gipfel Erlebnisticket in German). Find up-to-date pricing on stoos.ch. Discounts with Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card.

Sunrise and Sunset | If you want to experience a magical sunrise and sunset along the Stoos Ridge Trail, you can stay the night in the mountaintop Fronalpstock Hotel Restaurant. 

Where to Stay in Stoos | There are a few accommodations in car-free Stoos including the Stoos Lodge (budget-midrange), Wellness Hotel Stoos (midrange), and Caschu Alp (adults-only luxury).

Where to Stay in Lucerne | The Stoos Ridge Hike is a popular excursion from Lucerne. Here are a few centrally-located accommodations, walking distance to the train station: Hotel Münzgasse (budget), The Lubo (budget), Hotel Central Luzern (midrange), Cascada Boutique Hotel (midrange), Hotel Des Alpes (midrange), Hotel des Balances (luxury).

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Stoos Ridge Trail: Step by Step Overview

Step 1 | Travel to the valley station of Stoosbahn funicular (Standseilbahn Schwyz-Stoos in German): Google Maps. Use the sbb.ch website to plan your transit journey. If you’re coming from Lucerne, take a train to Schwyz Bahnhof followed by a bus to Schwyz Stoosbahn. 

Step 2 | Ride the Stoosbahn Funicular to the car-free village of Stoos.

Step 3 | Walk 15 minutes to the Klingenstock chairlift valley station. 

Step 4 | Ride the Klingenstock chairlift up to Klingenstock summit.

Step 5 | Hike the Stoos Ridge Trail. 

Step 6 | Ride the Fronalpstock chairlifts down to Stoos Village. At Mettlen (middle station), you will disembark the Fronalpstock chairlift Section 2 and walk a few meters to the Fronalpstock chairlift Section 1 chairlift, which descends further to Stoos village.

Step 7 | Walk 15 minutes through Stoos village to the Stoosbahn Funicular mountain station. 

Step 8 | Ride the Schwyz-Stoos Funicular down to Schwyz. 

Step 9 | Transit back to Lucerne, or elsewhere. 

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Stoos Ridge Trail Description

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Stoosbahn Funicular Valley Station to Stoos (4-7 minutes)

The 1.7 km-long Stoosbahn (Schwyz-Stoos Funicular) is the steepest funicular in Europe. The 4-cabin funicular can hold up to 136 people. It  passes through 3 tunnels, climbing 743 meters in elevation, to reach the car-free village of Stoos.

Because the cabins remain level throughout the journey, it doesn’t actually feel steep, despite the gradient.

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Stoosbahn Funicular Mountain Station to Klingenstock Chairlift Valley Station (15 minutes)

Upon exiting the Stoosbahn Funicular mountain station, pass the infopoint Stoos and Stoos Lodge. 

Soon, turn left and follow the pathway that climbs up the meadow in the direction of Sesselbahn Klingenstock, Talstation. Alpine pasture fencing runs along both sides of the trail.

When the path intersects with the Rämsenweg gravel road, turn left. Follow the road until you reach the Klingenstock Chairlift Valley Station.

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Klingenstock to Fronalpstock (2:10 hours)

From the Klingenstock chairlift mountain station, turn right. A robust metal fence initially borderes the ridge path. Just ahead Klingenstock summit (1935 m) bears a cross and picnic table. One path ascends to the summit, while another skirts it. 

After Klingenstock, the narrow trail crosses grassy flanks of minor summits. Exposed drop-offs are fenced-off with chains. 

Atop the rolling ridge, views open up to Lake Lucerne. The well-groomed and timber-reinforced Stoos Ridge Trail gently rises and falls along the crest. 

There are many stairs throughout the route. 

After the optional detour to the Huserstock viewpoint (1904 m), the Stoos ridge hike continues down to Furggeli (25 minutes). The trail develops into a balcony, delivering impressive, camera-ready outlooks. 

With the elevation loss, the trail gets increasingly rockier and uneven. After crossing the metal plank, the trail twists down to the private Furggeli alpine pasture hut (1732 m). 

Ignore the descending trail to Stoos and maintain the same trajectory, crossing the mountain pasture. 

The path zigzags uphill for about 20 minutes, before easing across a wide plateau. 

Signs nailed to a timber building indicate 15 minutes to Fronalpstock. 

Fronalpstock (1922 m) welcomes hikers with a panoramic viewpoint of the serpentine Lake Lucerne (Urnersee), backed by Rigi. On clear days, you’ll be able to see Pilatus, Bürgenstock, Gersauerstock, Niederbauenstock, Schwalmis, Chli Horn, Stanserhorn, among many other peaks.

There is a cafeteria-style restaurant in the Fronalpstock Hotel with ample indoor and outdoor seating. 

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Fronalpstock Chairlift Section 2 – Middle Station – Fronalpstock Chairlift Section 1 (15 minutes)

Ride the Fronalpstock Chairlift Section 2 followed by the Fronalpstock Chairlift Section 1 back down to Stoos village. 

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Fronalpstock Chairlift Section 1 Valley Station to Stoosbahn Funicular Valley Station (15 minutes)

From the Fronalpstock chairlift valley station, follow the paved road. At the next junction, turn right in the direction of Standseilbahn Stoos.  

Pass by Alpstubli and then turn left on the Sportweg pathway. 

Outside the Stoosbahn Funicular Mountain Station, notice the “Talfahrt” sign, which informs visitors when the next two valley-bound funiculars depart.

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Keep Reading about Switzerland

Lake Lucerne Region:

• 2-Day Stanserhorn-Engelberg Hike
• Walenpfad Panorama Trail

Appenzell:

• Appenzell (Appenzellerland) Region Guide 
• Appenzell Village: Hotels, Restaurants, and Museums 
• Best Hikes in Appenzell
• 3-Day Alpstein High Trail Trek

Alps:

• Best Hikes in the Alps
• Summer in the Alps

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