The Rotenflue cable car connects Rickenbach SZ directly with Rotenflue, the heart of the Mythen region. The gondola ride takes about 15 minutes and offers views of the Grossen Mythen. This makes it possible to combine mountain railway and hiking options with historic sights in the village. If you are looking for a holiday apartment as a base, you can first consider whether tours or chapels should be the focus of your stay.

Getting here and tours from Rickenbach

There is a bus stop for routes 503 and 505 directly in front of the Rotenflue cable car’s valley station. Route 505 runs directly from Schwyz railway station to the valley station. Paid parking is available there around the clock. These details can help you plan your journey and assess Rickenbach as a starting point for your own routes.

The “Rotenflue-Holzegg combo” combines three sections: the ascent on the Rotenflue cable car, the hike from Rotenflue to Holzegg, and the descent on the Brunni-Holzegg aerial cableway to Brunni. The valley station in Rickenbach is accessible by bus. The “Rotenflue bus combo” follows a different route: from Rotenflue, it takes about an hour on foot to reach Ibergeregg Pass; from there, a bus takes you back to Rickenbach. The approximate walking time refers to the route to the pass, while the first combination also includes a descent on the aerial cableway.

There is also a choice of routes for the “Around the Grossen Mythen” hike: it can be done in four different ways. One option starts in Rickenbach, leads via the Rätigs intermediate station and Hasli to the “Zwüschet-Mythen” alpine pasture, and then returns to Rickenbach on foot. The “Mythen Round Trip” can start at the Rotenflue cable car’s valley station and includes a 10-kilometre hiking trail that is also suitable for children. Check the current trail warnings before setting off on the described route around the Mythen.

Depending on where you start, the “Schwyz Panorama Trail” can be reached from Rickenbach by taking the Rotenflue cable car to Rotenflue. The “Ibergeregg Moor Forests” hiking combo continues to Oberiberg; from there, a bus takes you back to the Rotenflue cable car’s valley station. These options differ in whether Rotenflue serves as the access point or a hike is combined with a return bus journey.

A hike with activity stations

The Ameisiwäg is just over two kilometres long and takes about 90 minutes with children. The trail goes gently up and down and passes seven activity stations before reaching its destination in Sytiwald. There you will find fire pits with firewood, picnic areas and an anthill made of logs that is suitable for climbing. These facilities may occasionally be unavailable; also check the trail conditions on site. The approximate duration provides a guide for planning your time with children, without presuming what trail conditions will be like on the day of your visit.

Chapels and historical landmarks

The present-day St. Magdalena Chapel was built by Rudolf Bellmont in 1678 and consecrated in 1681 to St. Mary Magdalene, John the Baptist and John the Evangelist. Extensive renovation was already required in 1776. After severe earthquake damage, the chapel underwent extensive restoration from 1971 to 1975. Its construction, renovation and restoration mark different stages in its history.

The present-day Tschütschi Chapel was built in 1670 and consecrated in 1672. A chapel at Tschütschi is said to have existed as early as the beginning of the 13th century; it is considered one of the oldest chapels in the country. This early, tentative date refers to an earlier chapel, not the present-day building. Together with St. Magdalena, Tschütschi offers another insight into Rickenbach’s sacred history.

Among the historic homes is the wooden Acherli house. Built around 1270, it is one of the oldest residential buildings in the canton of Schwyz that is still inhabited. In the hamlet of Perfiden, the remains of a medieval tower castle were discovered during archaeological excavations in 1955. Acherli and Perfiden add medieval landmarks to the history of the chapels.

More activities on Rotenflue

The paragliding take-off and landing site at Rotenflue is a five-minute walk from the Rotenflue cable car. Another tour starts in Rickenbach, takes the Rotenflue cable car, and returns to Rickenbach by bicycle via a spectacular descent. So, alongside hiking, paragliding and a downhill bike ride offer different options for your itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Muotathal, Riemenstalden, Morschach, Rothenthurm, Alpthal, Unteriberg, Lauerz, Steinen.

Back to the main travel overview: Schwyz.