Fräkmüntegg – Schwändelberg – Horw

Almost 1,000 metres of descent: from Fräkmüntegg through woodland and across open pastures to Horw, with ever-changing views of the lake, Lucerne, the Rigi and the Pre-Alps.

The hike begins at the Fräkmüntegg mountain station at just over 1,400 m, the highest point on the route. After only a few minutes, the trail crosses the Bielilücke and then follows the cantonal boundary in places. It descends steadily through woodland and open pastures, passing Trämelegg and Roteflue. Rest areas offer views of the Stanserhorn and Titlis, as well as the Rigi and the Pre-Alps.

By the time the Schönenboden Hütte is reached, much of the descent has been completed. The yellow-marked hiking trail continues via Buholzerschwändi towards Schwändelberg. Shady stretches of woodland alternate with clearings along the way; farther down, the lake and the city of Lucerne come into view. Near Restaurant Schwändelberg, the terrain becomes increasingly gentle.

Towards the end, the route passes the Grisige clay pit, where clay is extracted for the Horw Gettnau brickworks. Via Sternenried, the trail reaches the first houses of Horw and ends at the railway station after just over two hours.