Gipfeltour Hirzli

The starting point of this panoramic circular hike is the Morgenholz mountain station above Niederurnen. If you arrive by public transport, you can take the bus – for example from Ziegelbrücke station – to the Niederurnen, Ochsenplatz stop. From there, a signposted footpath leads to the valley station of the Niederurnen–Morgenholz cable car in about ten minutes.

At the mountain station, follow the signs for the Hirzli circular trail (route no. 814). The clockwise round with the ascent via Schwifärch is recommended. The climb, which takes about 1 hour 50 minutes, is steep in places and is therefore better suited for the ascent than for the descent.

First, the hike leads on a wide forest path through the Niederurn valley before it turns into a narrower mountain hiking trail. Soon the Niederurn Sculpture Trail will accompany the route. Along the way, hikers encounter artistically carved wooden figures by the forester and artist Thomas Jud. As the altitude increases, the path becomes steeper and leads in several hairpin bends via Schwifärch up to the forester's lodge. There, benches with a magnificent view of Lake Walen invite you to take a first rest.

The last section runs through sparse forest and over open slopes to the summit of the Hirzli at 1,641 metres above sea level. At the top, an impressive panoramic view opens up over the Linth Plain, Lake Zurich and Lake Walen. With good visibility, the views extend as far as the Rigi, the Mythen and numerous other peaks of Central Switzerland as well as the Black Forest. Directly at the summit cross there is a summit book in which hikers can immortalize themselves.

For the descent, the path first follows the route towards Planggenstock. Particularly striking here are the striking Nagelfluh formations from which the Hirzli is built. At the next signpost, the route branches off back towards Morgenholz. The path leads over lush alpine meadows to Alp Obere Planggen and then down into the valley on pleasant hiking trails. Past Tierweg and Chaibeloch, you finally reach a wide gravel path that leads to the Hirzli restaurant. The sunny terrace invites you to end the hike with a refreshment and a wonderful view.

From the restaurant it is only a few minutes' walk on the road and the subsequent hiking trail along the edge of the forest back to the Morgenholz mountain station, the starting point of the circular hike.

Additional info