29^Jan Sun
09:30

On the sun terrace above Illgau, not far from the cantonal capital of Schwyz, lies a charming landscape of gently rolling hills. The special tranquillity of this area makes it very popular with snowshoe hikers and nature lovers.

Full description: https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/schneeschuhwandern/trails-d/route-00819.html

Starting point: bottom station of Luftseilbahn Illgau-Ried (https://goo.gl/maps/Qf5qjnhQo8EgTez48). We'll then take a gondola to Illgau (http://www.illgau-ried.ch/), followed by a gondola to St. Karl (http://seilbahn.illgau.ch/). We'll start hiking from there. The combined return ticket for these gondolas costs 26 CHF.

How to get there: Train (IR 46 direction Locarno) departs at 08:05 from Zurich HB, platform 6. Change in Schwyz to bus 501, until Ried (Muotathal), Seilb.Illgau

Snowshoes: This is a snowshoe hike, so having snowshoes is required. Rental of snowshoes should be possible at the bottom station of gondola in Illgau. I called them and it seems that they have 8 pairs of snowshoes available that they can reserve for us. I'm therefore setting the maximal number of participants to 9 (I have my own snowshoes), but if you have your own snowshoes or can easily rent them in Zurich, please let me know in the comments so that I can confirm the reservation and we can potentially allow more people to join. Snowshoes (with poles) should cost 10 CHF, with 20 CHF deposit (to be on the safe side - bring cash). 

    Update: I booked 8 pairs of snowshoes, for people that joined before Saturday 3pm. You can still join the hike, but you now need to bring your own snowshoes. 

What to take: Snowshoes and poles (see point above), hiking boots, enough food (we'll probably eat lunch somewhere along the way) and water, proper winter hiking clothes (it might be cold), optionally: warm drinks.

Disclaimer: I'm not a guide - everyone hikes at their responsibility and risk.