Gnipen Rockslide Trail Ascent – Wildspitz Summit loop from Arth-Goldau
Gnipen Rockslide Trail Ascent – Wildspitz Summit loop from Arth-Goldau
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Gnipen Rockslide Trail Ascent – Wildspitz Summit loop from Arth-Goldau
06:35
14.0km
1,110m
Hiking
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: July 23, 2026
Tips
Includes a segment that may be dangerous
A part of this route comprises technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.
After 3.42 km for 1.61 km
Waypoints
Start point
Train Station
Get Directions
24 m
Arth-Goldau railway station
Highlight • Rest Area
Goldau Becomes a Railway Junction
On June 4, 1875, the Arth-Rigi Railway (ARB) began operations. Goldau's first small station, built behind the Pfrundhaus (parsonage), served travelers from Einsiedeln. However, until then, the idea was to bypass Goldau and build the Gotthard Railway station in Oberarth. Blasting work began a few weeks after the ARB opened. The plan was for a 2.5 km long tunnel to lead beneath the landslide area to Steinen. However, the development favored Goldau. In May 1876, work on the tunnel had to be halted due to a lack of funds. Various cost-saving measures were explored, one of which was to abandon the tunnel and build a station in the middle of the rubble area.
The ARB Goldau station had to be relocated next to the Gotthard Railway line and received financial compensation for this. Diplomatically, the new station was named "Arth-Goldau." Construction work progressed rapidly, and in 1882 the line through the Gotthard to Italy was opened. Things followed quickly: In August 1891, the Südostbahn (Southeastern Railway) to the outer part of the canton of Schwyz was put into operation, and in June 1897, the line to Zug and Zurich opened. Goldau had become a railway junction with five railway lines leading in different directions.
The Arth-Rigi Railway built the raised platform that still exists today in 1895. From 1897 to 1959, a tram ran from Arth to Goldau. The former tram line is still called the "Tramweg" (Tramway) and is a beautiful walking path between the three villages of Goldau, Oberarth, and Arth.
The railway had a major influence on Goldau's development. The population grew rapidly. Many railway workers and SBB employees, such as locomotive drivers and conductors, moved to Goldau – and stayed. Population growth also led to construction development, until Goldau "overtook" the village of Arth. Yesterday and today, the railway and the train station play a major role in Goldau. While it was once the "railroad workers" who value the Arth-Goldau railway junction, today it is the "commuters" who appreciate it.
Text / Source: Municipality of Arth, Town Hall, 6415 Arth
arth.ch/geschichte/4254
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Tip by
4.04 km
Gnipen Rockslide Trail Ascent
Highlight • Climb
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Tip by
5.18 km
Gnipen Summit and View of Lake Zug and Lake Lauerz
Highlight • Summit
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6.52 km
Wildspitz Summit
Highlight • Summit
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8.43 km
Grill and Picnic Area with View of Lake Zug and Rigi
Highlight • Rest Area
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9.19 km
View of Lake Zug and the Schwyz Valley from the descent of Gnipen
Highlight • Viewpoint
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10.3 km
Viewpoint Over Lake Lauerz and Lake Zug
Highlight • Viewpoint
11.5 km
Bench With View of Mount Rigi
Highlight • Viewpoint
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14.0 km
End point
Train Station
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
6.62 km
2.59 km
2.24 km
1.67 km
752 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
5.99 km
3.86 km
1.48 km
1.24 km
766 m
324 m
290 m
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Elevation
Highest point (1,540 m)
Lowest point (500 m)
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Weather
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Today
Saturday 1 August
29°C
16°C
41 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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