Klingenstock to Fronalpstock

Greetings from Lucerne, Switzerland

When Karyn said she was a careful planner, she certainly wasn’t exaggerating. We were originally planning on hiking Stoos Ridge on Tuesday, but the weather forecast for Tuesday called for rain. She was able to shift gears smoothly, and instead of spending Sunday wandering the old town of Lucerne, we headed straight for the Swiss Alps for an incredible adventure the five of us won’t soon forget.

The journey to Stoos Ridge involved many different modes of transportation. The first was a fifty-minute train ride, after which we jumped on a bus to a town called Schwyz. This is where we boarded a funicular that traversed straight up to Stoosbahn. This funicular is the steepest funicular ride in the world, heading up a 110-degree incline. The view looking straight down was amazing. Once we reached the top, we hiked for about 15 minutes, passing cows in the fields with not a care in the world, grazing on the green grass surrounding them. At this point in our adventure is where I had “open eyes” to a new mode of transportation: the cable car. After spending twenty minutes heading vertically, we reached another mode of transportation: a chair lift. Again, straight up we went, riding it to the heavens above. Finally, after traveling nearly two hours, we made it to the top and faced our fears: “The Stoos Ridge Hike.”

Stepping out on the trailhead was breathtaking. No pictures can truly show the depth and magnitude of what we were seeing and ready to experience. Our starting point was the Klingenstock mountain peak. The end of our hike was Fronalpstock, a peak nearly three miles away with a 1,900-foot elevation change.

The brochure and videos said it was a 2-3 hour hike. It took us every bit of 4 hours. I would love to say it was because of the numerous pictures we were taking along the way. The true reason was the need to rest, and the picture taking was our excuse. This was not only one of the most breathtaking hikes we’ve taken (no pun intended), but it was also one of the most physically challenging hikes Julie and I have been on.

The trail follows a stunning ridge with endless views of the Alps. We saw ten sparkling blue mountain lakes, lush green valleys, and white-capped mountain ranges surrounding our way.

I looked at the time; we were one hour in and thinking halfway through. Little did I know we had numerous more peaks and switchback paths and possibly 1,000 more stairs to climb. When I thought the end was in sight, I was just teased with more breathtaking views and another peak to conquer. Finally, what seemed like a straight vertical climb to the end was Fronalpstock peak. I do believe I was the last to finish the hike.

(I was trying to savor every minute.)

After our sea legs returned and the air in our lungs was restored, we headed back down, laughing and enjoying the bond the five of us shared conquering Stoos Ridge.