Erstfeld - Arnisee
I did this hike on the 10th of april, 2025. I had been looking for a hike not too far from Zürich and with some nice panoramic views, and came across the trail leading from Erstfeld to Arnisee above the valley floor. It looked almost snow free, so I packed my gaitors and spikes, and went on the below hike.
Full route: Swisstopo
It was a really nice spring morning with fresh cold air when I started out in Erstfeld. After a short walk from the train station out of the town, I started the ascent up through forest and into Erstfeldertal.
After coming out of the forest, the views into the valley opened up. I walked for a short time along the river on the valley floor, before the trail turned off and continued upwards. It was very calm in the valley, and I was completely alone on the trail.
Following the trail up, the views opened up even more. From up here, I could see far into Erstfeldtal and also in direction Altdorf and Vierwaldstättersee. I started coming across snow patches, but it was mainly on the sides of the gravel road I was walking on, so not a problem.
The gravel road turned into a more narrow hiking path as I made my way onto the panoramic part of the trail. It was a really nice part though forest, where I had constant views to the mountains on the opposite side and down in the valley below.
After a few hours, I found a spot with great views and decided to take a break. Sitting here, it almost felt like I could touch the mountains on the other side of the valley. I really like hiking in spring, when the air is crisp and there is still fresh snow on the mountains.
After the break, I continued in direction Arnisee. From here, the trail got more narrow and a few places with chains to hold on to, but nowhere did I find it problematic. I had to cross a few snow covered ravines as well, and was very happy I had brought my spikes.
The vegetation slowly started to open up the closer I got to Arnisee, and about an hour before I reached the lake, I could see what looked like a small platform on the mountain side, where Arnisee was just behind. On this part, I also had amazing views over the valley and surrounding mountains.
The trail running the last part to Arnisee was out in the open crossing over fields, and because it was April, many of the fields were covered with crocus, which looked amazing. I reached Arnisee, and had a long lunch break at the side of the lake, enjoying the views around me.
As I had quite good energy this day, and I anyway had some time until the next cable car, I decided to make a small detour up into a side valley. It was a really nice little valley and I hiked for about half an hour, until the snow covered too much of the trail.
Walking back down to Arnisee, I had great views to the peak of Bristen and its triangular shape. I had to rush the last kilometer to make it to the cable car, but I managed just in time.
The cable car took me down to Intschi, from where I caught the bus to Erstfeld and here jumped on the train back home to Zürich.
