A short hike to a peaceful lake in the middle of a natural preserve.

The Gantrischsee (lake Gantrisch) is a small mountain lake 1580 meters (5200 ft) above sea level with a surface area of 9000 sqm (100000 sqft). It’s accessible by a 20 minute hike starting from Restaurant untere Gantrischhütte, where there are also plenty of parking lots available (they are only scarce on beautiful summer days). The lake is a perfect place for a peaceful pick nick!

Elevation profile of the hike (generated using XC Trails)

Getting there

By car: The Restaurant untere Gantrischhütte is a 35 minute drive away. Drive through Schwarzenburg, Milken, Riffenmatt and Schwarzenbühl. In winter, this route is blocked due to a ski lift. You will have to take the alternative route via Rüti and Gurnigel. This road is also blocked if there’s a lot of snow.

Public transport: The Restaurant untere Gantrischhütte is some 75 minutes away. Go by train (S6) to Schwarzenburg then take Postauto (bus) 323. The buses leave only once or twice per day, so the best connection is leaving Lanzenhäusern 10.05 (11.12 arrival at stop “Gurnigel, Gantrischhütte”), and leaves again 16.22 (17.51 arrival in Lanzenhäusern).