4 ViaJacobi
4 ViaJacobi
4 ViaJacobi
4 ViaJacobi
4 ViaJacobi
4 ViaJacobi

Hiking

etappe-01177

ViaJacobi

Stage 4, Rapperswil (SG)–Einsiedeln

Route report
69 photos

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etappe-01177

ViaJacobi

The hike leads over Switzerland's longest wooden footbridge from Rapperswil to Hurden and across the Etzel Pass to Einsiedeln. On the way to this important pilgrimage site, the views of Lake Zurich are splendid.
Rapperswil, where around 20,000 roses bloom every year, is the starting point of the fourth Via Jacobi stage. The town on the southern shore of Lake Zurich is known for its castle, the panoramic views from the Glarus Alps to the Zurich Oberland and the picturesque old town.

The hiking stage starts at the railway station directly on the lake. In addition to the lake view, the 841-metre-long wooden footbridge that leads across the lake to Hurden is impressive. The route continues on the other side of the dam. The panoramic views by the lake crossing can extend from the island of Ufenau to the other side of the lake and the city of Zurich. After an hour, you reach the railway station in Pfäffikon.

The town boasts a scenic lakeside promenade and benefits from its proximity to Zurich and Schwyz's favourable tax regime. Pfäffikon is also known for its water park: The Alpamare offers four pools, ten water slides and wellness facilities.

Now comes the ascent to the Etzel Pass. Around 500 metres in altitude are covered in just under two hours. The pass, at an altitude of just under 1000 metres, is reached via road sections, paths and forest sections. You will come across the Etzel Chapel, built in 1698. The St. Meinrad inn, with its sunny terrace and cosy dining room, is part of the baroque ensemble.

A gentle downhill stretch with views of the Grosse and Kleine Mythen soon leads to the Tüfelsbrugg of Etzel, built in 1117, and after another hour to Galgenchäppeli. The path between Galgenchäppeli and Horgenberg, the so-called "Alte Etzelstrasse", was already part of a trade route in the 10th century. Pilgrims from Zurich also used this path with views of Sihlsee lake to reach the Black Madonna at the monastery of Einsiedeln.

The five-hour hike ends a little later at the pilgrimage site in Einsiedeln. The richly decorated houses in the old part of town and the massive monastery complex invite you to linger for a while.
The hike leads over Switzerland's longest wooden footbridge from Rapperswil to Hurden and across the Etzel Pass to Einsiedeln. On the way to this important pilgrimage site, the views of Lake Zurich are splendid.
Rapperswil, where around 20,000 roses bloom every year, is the starting point of the fourth Via Jacobi stage. The town on the southern shore of Lake Zurich is known for its castle, the panoramic views from the Glarus Alps to the Zurich Oberland and the picturesque old town.

The hiking stage starts at the railway station directly on the lake. In addition to the lake view, the 841-metre-long wooden footbridge that leads across the lake to Hurden is impressive. The route continues on the other side of the dam. The panoramic views by the lake crossing can extend from the island of Ufenau to the other side of the lake and the city of Zurich. After an hour, you reach the railway station in Pfäffikon.

The town boasts a scenic lakeside promenade and benefits from its proximity to Zurich and Schwyz's favourable tax regime. Pfäffikon is also known for its water park: The Alpamare offers four pools, ten water slides and wellness facilities.

Now comes the ascent to the Etzel Pass. Around 500 metres in altitude are covered in just under two hours. The pass, at an altitude of just under 1000 metres, is reached via road sections, paths and forest sections. You will come across the Etzel Chapel, built in 1698. The St. Meinrad inn, with its sunny terrace and cosy dining room, is part of the baroque ensemble.

A gentle downhill stretch with views of the Grosse and Kleine Mythen soon leads to the Tüfelsbrugg of Etzel, built in 1117, and after another hour to Galgenchäppeli. The path between Galgenchäppeli and Horgenberg, the so-called "Alte Etzelstrasse", was already part of a trade route in the 10th century. Pilgrims from Zurich also used this path with views of Sihlsee lake to reach the Black Madonna at the monastery of Einsiedeln.

The five-hour hike ends a little later at the pilgrimage site in Einsiedeln. The richly decorated houses in the old part of town and the massive monastery complex invite you to linger for a while.
17 km
780 m | 300 m
4 h 50 min
easy (hiking trail) | medium

Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Rapperswil
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

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Saving metres in altitude
There is a train between Pfäffikon SZ and Einsiedeln that saves about 450 metres in altitude.

Hints

Guides
There is a guide available for this route in French and German.
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Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Einsiedeln
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

Contact

Signpost management
Signposting is managed by the cantonal hiking trail organisation on behalf of the canton and the communities.
Schwyzer Wanderwege
6440 Brunnen
info@schwyzer-wanderwege.ch
www.schwyzer-wanderwege.ch

Services

Accommodation

Jugendherberge Rapperswil-Jona
Jugendherberge Rapperswil-Jona
Jona
Sorell Hotel Speer
Sorell Hotel Speer
Rapperswil
Seedamm Plaza
Seedamm Plaza
Pfäffikon SZ
Hotel Restaurant Sternen
Hotel Restaurant Sternen
Pfäffikon SZ
Lützelhof
Lützelhof
Pfäffikon SZ
Hotel Drei Könige
Hotel Drei Könige
Einsiedeln
Hotel St. Georg
Hotel St. Georg
Einsiedeln
Ferienwohnung / Gästezimmer Kälin
Ferienwohnung / Gästezimmer Kälin
Pfäffikon SZ
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Bookable offers

4 Via Jacobi : Rorschach - Einsiedeln
4 Via Jacobi : Rorschach - Einsiedeln
4 Via Jacobi Rorschach - Geneva
4 Via Jacobi Rorschach - Geneva
3 Alpine Panorama Trail Appenzell & Toggenburg
3 Alpine Panorama Trail Appenzell & Toggenburg
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Places

Rapperswil-Jona
Rapperswil-Jona
Pfäffikon SZ
Pfäffikon SZ
Einsiedeln
Einsiedeln
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Places of interest

Rapperswil Castle
Rapperswil Castle
Rapperswil-Hurden Wooden bridge
Rapperswil-Hurden Wooden bridge
Seebrücke Rapperswil–Hurden
Seebrücke Rapperswil–Hurden
Ufenau and Lützelau Islands in Lake Züri
Ufenau and Lützelau Islands in Lake Züri
Alpamare Water Park Pfäffikon
Alpamare Water Park Pfäffikon
The Frauenwinkel
The Frauenwinkel
Alte Etzelstrasse
Alte Etzelstrasse
Abbey of Einsiedeln
Abbey of Einsiedeln
Altendorf–Etzel
Altendorf–Etzel
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Signalization

Signalization
For hiking, follow the logo indicated on the yellow signposts. Take a printout of our web map on your hike for safety's sake.
Signalization