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Season: all year
Recommended season: early January to mid March, early May to late October and mid December to late December
Max. altitude: 1305 m (4281 ft)What to expect: quick Stoos overview 
The small mountain village of Stoos is located in Central Switzerland, east of Lake Lucerne.
The main highlight is the "Stoosbahn" funicular, which connects the valley to the village. Its round cabins tilt to adjust as the track becomes extremely steep - so steep that it feels more like an elevator than a typical funicular on some parts!
Alternatively, there's an older cableway from the village of Morschach in the valley.
In the resort, you take in views of the Mythen and other peaks, enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants, or stay overnight in one of the hotels. There are easy hiking trails year-round, and sled and ski runs in winter. Chairlifts can take you up to Fronalpstock or Klingenstock, where the panoramic "Stoos ridge hike" between the two summits is a popular trail.
➤ What the excursion costs: Stoos prices with and without rail passes
| View more prices and discounts | Price | Applies to a funicular return ticket valley station-Stoos and to a cableway return ticket Morschach-Stoos |
|---|---|---|
| View Swiss Travel Pass prices (swissrailways.com) | CHF 0 | Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Travel Pass Flex |
| View Lucerne Travel Pass prices (swissrailways.com) | CHF 0 | Lucerne Travel Pass |
| View ticket prices and discounts (swissactivities.com) | CHF 11.60 | Normal ticket, 50% discounted with a Swiss Half Fare Card |
| View ticket prices and discounts (swissactivities.com) | CHF 23.20 | Normal ticket, full fare |
Stoos prices with a Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) or Saver Day Pass
The entire journey to the mountain village is free with a Swiss Travel Pass , Swiss Travel Pass Flex, or Saver Day Pass. All segments of the route are included.
The chairlifts to Klingenstock and Fronalpstock are not free, nor discounted.
Stoos prices with a Swiss Half Fare Card
All routes to Stoos are 50% off with a Swiss Half Fare Card. A discounted return trip from the valley funicular or cableway station to Stoos costs CHF 11.60; the entire excursion from Lucerne costs CHF 35.40.
The chairlifts to Klingenstock and Fronalpstock are not discounted.
Stoos prices with the Lucerne Travel Pass
The Lucerne Travel Pass includes all routes to Stoos, plus the chairlifts to Fronalpstock and Klingenstock. You don't need any additional tickets.
Stoos prices with normal tickets
Without a rail pass, you'll have to buy regular tickets. A full-fare funicular or cableway return trip to Stoos costs CHF 23.30, and the entire excursion from Lucerne costs CHF 70.80.
If you want to use the chairlifts to Fronalpstock or Klingenstock, you'll need full-fare tickets as well.
Combi tickets including the chairlifts and ski lifts
There are several tickets for combined rides and activities around Stoos. Check the discounts offered by your rail pass before you buy such tickets: your pass may already include one or more segments.
The main combi option is the "Peak Experience Ticket", available for the summer season. It includes both the funicular and cable car to Stoos, as well as the chairlifts to Fronalpstock and Klingenstock.
➤ Rail pass discounts for your trip to Stoos
| Pass | Discount |
|---|---|
| Day Pass | Free:
Stoos to Fronalpstock and Klingenstock (chairlifts): no discount. |
| Lucerne Travel Pass | Free:
|
| Saver Day Pass | Free:
Stoos to Fronalpstock and Klingenstock (chairlifts): no discount. |
| Swiss Half Fare Card | Discount 50%:
Stoos to Fronalpstock and Klingenstock (chairlifts): no discount. |
| Swiss Travel Pass | Free:
Stoos to Fronalpstock and Klingenstock (chairlifts): no discount. |
| Swiss Travel Pass Flex | Free:
Stoos to Fronalpstock and Klingenstock (chairlifts): no discount. |
Video
How to reach Stoos: the 2 routes explained, plus map
The two routes to Stoos
You can reach the mountain village in two ways:
- a steep 7-minute funicular ride (the "Stoosbahn") from the valley north of Stoos
- an 8-minute cableway ride from the village of Morschach in the valley west of Stoos
In both cases, it's a 1h30- to 1h45-minute trip from Lucerne, and 1h45 to 2h00 from Zurich.
The funicular route to Stoos explained
The Stoosbahn funicular leaves from a station in a narrow part of the valley between the villages of Schwyz and Muotathal. The area is in the Central Alps, east of Lake Lucerne.
1. Train to Schwyz
In most cases, you'll have to reach Schwyz first. It's a 45-minute train ride from Lucerne, either with or without a change of trains in Arth-Goldau. Exit the railway station of Schwyz and turn left, where you'll find the bus platform.
2. Bus from Schwyz to the funicular valley station
Board the bus n the direction of "Muotathal, Hölloch". Alternatively, you can board this same bus in Arth-Goldau, where it starts before it continues to Schwyz. Overall, that takes a bit longer than reaching Schwyz by train.
After a scenic 20-minute ride through the pretty town of Stoos and its outskirts, and then the narrow valley toward Muotathal, get off at the stop "Schwyz, Stoosbahn".
Cross the street at the bus stop. You can't miss the yellow funicular valley station.
3. Funicular to Stoos
Next up is the impressive 7-minute trip to Stoos, with beautiful views of the Central Swiss Alps. The Mythen mountain tops are the most prominent.
The Stoosbahn funicular top station is at a central point in Stoos: next to the Stoos Lodge hotel and several restaurants, and near the starting point of hiking trails.
The cableway route from Morschach to Stoos explained
If the funicular to Stoos is not running, or if you’d like to add variety to your trip, you can take the cable car from Morschach. This village is located in the valley west of Stoos.
1. Train to Brunnen
You'll first have to get to Brunnen, a town on eastern Lake Lucerne. The 45-minute to 1-hour train trip from Lucerne is either direct, or includes a change at Arth-Goldau.
2. Bus to Morschach
At the Brunnen railway station, board the bus in the direction of "Morschach, Luftseilbahn". Get off at the last stop, which you'll reach in 15 minutes.
3. Cable car to Stoos
Board the small cable car, which gets you up to Stoos in 8 minutes. The cableway's top station is located on the western edge of the village, but it's just a 5- to 10-minute walk to the more lively area, where the funicular station and shop are situated.
Traveling to Stoos by car
Stoos is car-free and can't be reached by car either. You'll have to park at the funicular valley station or the cableway valley station. At both locations, you'll find paid outdoor parking lots and paid parking garages.
Operation dates and timetable info for the Stoos funicular and cableway
You can reach Stoos year-long. If the funicular isn't available, the cableway route from Morschach is, and the other way around.
2026 operation dates for the funicular to Stoos
The Stoosbahn funicular from the valley station "Schwyz, Stoosbahn (Talstation)" operates daily, except for the following revision breaks in April-May and November-December:
- 24 to 28 November to 5 December 2025
- 7 to 24 April 2026
- 23 November to 4 December 2026
During these breaks, the funicular does operate on weekends, starting from Friday in the late afternoon.
2026 operation dates for the cableway from Morschach to Stoos
The cable car from Morschach operates daily, except for these revision breaks in March-April and November:
- 3 to 14 November 2025
- 23 March to 2 April 2026
- 26 October to 20 November 2026
During these revision works, the cable car does operate on weekends, starting on late Friday afternoons.
How to plan your trip to Stoos in the Swiss timetable
Assuming you start your journey in Lucerne and travel by the Stoosbahn funicular, these are the official names used in the Swiss timetable:
- "Luzern" for the railway station of Lucerne
- "Schwyz" for the railway station of Schwyz
- "Schwyz, Bahnhof" for the bus stop at the Schwyz train station, where you'll board the bus to the funicular valley station
- "Schwyz, Stoosbahn" for the bus stop where you'll get off the bus
- "Schwyz Stoosbahn (Talstation)" for the funicular valley station
- "Stoos SZ" for the funicular top station. SZ is the abbreviation for the canton of Schwyz, in which Stoos is located.
If you get up by cableway from Morschach instead, you'll encounter these names:
- "Brunnen" for the train station of Brunnen
- "Brunnen, Bahnhof" for the bus stop at the Brunnen train station, where you'll get on the bus to Morschach
- "Morschach, Luftseilbahn" for the bus stop next to the cableway valley station
- "Morschach Talstat. (Luftseilb)" for the cableway valley station
- "Stoos Bergstat. (Luftseilb)" for the cableway mountain station
In case you plan additional chairlift trips to Fronalpstock and Klingenstock, use these names:
- "Stoos (Sesselbahn Fronalpstock)" for the Fronalpstock valley station in the village
- "Fronalpstock" for the Fronalpstock top station
- "Stoos (Klingenstockbahn)" for the Klingenstock valley station in the village
- "Klingenstock" for the Klingenstock top station
The best months for your excursion
I'd say that the trip to Stoos is worth it year long:
- In low-season months like March, April, (late) October, November, and early December, you can enjoy relative quiet while wandering through the town and its surroundings.
- The peak months of July to September are perfect for longer summer hikes, and the winter months of January and February give you the best shot at snow in the village and open ski lifts.
I personally like the variety of routes: it's fun to travel up by the Stoosbahn funicular, and down by cable car to Morschach. So the following periods, in which both modes of travel are available, are my top pick: early January to mid March, early May to late October and mid December to late December.
Weather tips and forecastss
The main reasons to visit Stoos are the stunning views of green hills and mountains and the peaceful beauty of the surrounding area. Even if you plan to stay indoors and have a bite in one of the restaurants, it's nicer to do so while enjoying the views. So clear skies are preferable.
At a bit above 1300 m, Stoos isn't particularly high to Swiss standards. But it will be colder there than down in the valley, so dress accordingly.
Stoos is high enough to be a winter sports resort, but snow isn't guaranteed. So before visiting for snow activities, check if the ski lifts are running.
The funicular and cable car normally operate in bad weather too, but services can be suspended in case of strong wind, thunderstorms, or other extreme circumstances.
What to see and do in Stoos
The character of the town
Stoos has long been a relatively unknown destination. That still shows, which in my opinion is a pro: it’s a small, scenic village with holiday homes and a couple of hotels and restaurants.
The current funicular, which was built in 2017 and now is the main attraction to many visitors, has boosted the town’s popularity. As a result, more tourist facilities have opened.
Stoos is located on a green plateau in the hills. On the southern side, it’s enclosed by a range of higher peaks of which the Fronalpstock and Klingenstock are part. West, north, and east, you can see the Muotatal valley and the mountains surrounding it.
The small lake “Stoosseeli” is at the southern edge of the town. You’ll find several picnic spots here, as well as a water play area. In summer, you can fish here. If it’s windless, the water surface mirrors the green hills.
Hotels and catering
Stoos is home to quite some holiday homes and group accommodations. You can spend the night in fine hotels too, such as the 4-star Stoos Wellness Hotel with spa facilities, and the large Stoos Lodge which is directly next to the funicular station. Both hotels offer restaurants. Another option is the small Caschu Alp Boutique Design Hotel in town.
You’ll find more restaurants and terraces when exploring the town, such as the Alpstubli at the foot of the Maria Hilf chapel and the Sternegg restaurant next to the Stoos Lodge.
The funicular top station also serves as a shop with souvenirs, outdoor gear rental, and groceries for the overnight guests. The shop’s product range includes lots of regional delicacies.
The chapel
Perched on a gentle hill just above the town is the small “Maria Hilf”-chapel, which was consecrated in 1932. Services are still held here. You can enter the building as a tourist too. Even if you don’t, the short climb is worth it for the views over the village and the mountain peaks.
Easy hikes from town
From the funicular top station, you can start several easy roundabout tours, which are fun for kids too. Examples:
- Try the 30-minute educational “moor trail”, during which you’ll learn about this special habitat. Part of the trail can be done barefoot.
- The 1h15 “Nühusweidli trail” is a circular trail around the village.
- The 0h50 circular “Stooshorn trail” consists of an easy stroller-friendly path with educational info through QR codes, plus a large swing and other entertainment for children.
Winter sports
In favorable snow conditions, multiple ski and snowboard runs are accessible. You can either go op to Fronalpstock or Klingenstock for more difficult runs, or try one of the easier runs near the village.
If you prefer taking it easy, try one of the circular winter hiking paths in and near the village. A longer 8-km winter trail trough the meadows and forests east of Stoos is available too.
And you can enjoy sledding: directly from the village or up at Fronalpstock. That’s one of Switzerland’s more challenging sled runs though: not suited for beginners and kids! Or try the airboard from Fronalpsock. Again, this is not suitable for smaller children.
The chairlifts to Fronalpstock and Klingenstock
Fronalpstock and the famous ridge hike
The views from Fronalpstock
Stoos lies east of southern Lake Lucerne (also called the “Urnersee”), but you can’t see the lake from the village. You can if you travel up by chairlift to Fronalpstockat just over 1900 m though. The chairlift starts from the western side of the village, at just a 10- to 15-minute stroll from the funicular top station.
The panorama up here is magnificent: you’ll not only see Lake Lucerne, but several other Swiss lakes too. The peaks of the Central Alps and the Gotthard massif are also part of the scenery.
The Stoos ridge hike and the shorter panorama trail
Fronalpstock is the starting point for sledding and ski runs in winter, and for several hikes in summer. The most popular one is the ridge hike to or from Klingenstock, the other peak above Stoos. It’s usually accessible from June to October. The exact dates depend on weather and snow conditions. For the views, hiking from Klingenstock to Fronalpstock is best, as you’re facing Lake Lucerne while walking.
Mind that this is an actual mountain trail, only suitable for experienced hikers with proper boots.
If you can’t complete this 2-hour tour, you can still enjoy some of its best views by hiking the easy 30-minute circular “panorama trail” from Fronalpstock.
Klingenstock
The chairlift to Klingenstock departs east of the village, at a 20-minute walk from the funicular station. You’ll see part of Lake Lucerne here, but less so than from Fronalpstock. Klingenstock mainly serves as a starting point for ski runs in winter and for the ridge hike to Fronalpstock in summer.
➤ Get your tickets for the Stoos funicular or cableway
If you don't have a rail pass that allows free trips to Stoos, you'll need a regular ticket.
Promotions
There are currently no promotions available.
- www.stoos.ch: the Stoos ridge hike
- www.stoos.ch: Fronalpstock
- www.stoos.ch: Klingenstock
Schedules
- www.stoos.ch: timetables of the Stoos funicular, cableway, and chairlifts
Prices
- www.stoos.ch: prices of the Stoos funicular, cableway, and chairlifts
Free with the Swiss Travel Pass in Lucerne
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Gotthard Panorama Express
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