Short Walk in our Neighbourhood to a Look-out Platform in Steinhausen

Wednesday February 21, 2024 -- Wednesday is usually a hiking day for us, but because the forecast wasn't great, we didn't make any big plans. But the day turned out not bad at all, so we decided quite short notice to go on a simple walk in the hills north of our city of Zug.

After a short bus ride to the next town over (Steinhausen) we walked to a look-out platform which I had noticed on our hiking map, a rather short platform as it turns out, but which did afford us with views of the Alps all the way to the Bernese Oberland, which is such a positive aspect of living in this area: We get some really nice views of the Alps.

It was a short walk, just 5½ kilometers and about 90 minutes of walking. We passed a couple of farmer's shops along the way, and bought some refreshments.

Typical house for this area. This is in Steinhausen

This is the look-out platform which I saw on my map. It's not very high, but we wanted to have a look. 

The view from the look-out platform past the buildings in Cham and Steinhausen, past Lake Zug, and all the way to the Bernese Alps. The mountain in the center is the Stanserhorn. It's just too bad about the power lines.

View in the direction of Mount Pilatus. on the left you can see the well-known Bernese Trio of Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau.

On the left at the back is Mount Rigi, which you can see from many parts of Switzerland!

Some of the trail was through the forest, which is always pleasant, especially when the forest is not thick and dark. 

A lot of farmland in this area outside of the city. 

One of two farmer's shops we stopped at. The farm was called Hinterzimbel, and among other things sold home-made apple juice, which we enjoyed along the way. 

Ah, the lovely smell of pig manure at this time of year!

Spring crocuses

This is one spectacular group of old silos!

Such a nicely tended property

Another farm closer to home, the Iten-Hof Farm, offering a large selection of home-made jams, preserves, sirups, juices, milk-products, produce, etc. I am still always astounded that they trust visitors to pay for their purchases in the correct amounts, and not take anything out of the cash box, which in this case isn't even locked. 

Restaurant "Zur Alten Lorze" in Schochenmüli. (The "Alte Lorze" is the stream that flows behind the building). 

All kinds of farmland just outside the city. Many apple and cherry trees. These are so wonderful in spring when everything is in blossom (see my other photos of this area HERE). In the background is Mount Rigi. 

And all of a sudden the mountains appear HUGE! This is an effect we often see here, depending on the Föhn Winds. These are the Bernese Alps; especially recognizable is the north face of Mt. Eiger, the dark pyramid to the right of center, among the group of three peaks. 

Every farm has its resident cat!

A short walk in our own neighbourhood, starting with a bus ride from our front door to Steinhausen (approx. 1 p.m.), a walk to the look-out platform and stopping at two farmer's shops (blue circles)

City of Zug: The Farms around the Old Lorze River

Sunday April 23, 2023 -- More unpredictability in the weather forecast, so it's impossible to arrange to travel to parts of Switzerland renowned for their fabulously blossoming cherry orchards. Fortunately for us, Zug is also a renowned cherry growing region (particularly known for the brandy called Kirsch, made from the cherries... and subsequently the patented recipe for the famous Zuger Kirsch Torte). Even just looking out from my balcony I can see so many blossoming trees, not just cherry, but apple and the high-growth pear trees.

On this Sunday we had some wonderful sunny weather (very local), so I set off to do a 4-km round tour of the neighbouring farmlands to photograph some of these beautiful trees (cherries almost finished, and pears not quite in full bloom). Part of my tour was along the old Lorze River, and I was surprised that the bear garlic, which I thought was already finished, was just in full growth here. A pleasant surprise was a display of hand-painted rocks along the way, created by private individuals to make the trail more "fun". (We used to walk this trail often, and this is new).

It was nice to go visit the neighbourhood once again! 

(Note: One of Switzerland's most famous cherry-growing areas is Nuglar-St.Pantaleon in the western part of Switzerland. We did a "Cherry Blossom Hike" there in April of 2019, that was a very successful outing at the time, we timed it well, just before the end of the blossom season. Those photos are HERE).

From my balcony the view across the farms with their blossoming trees. The "New Lorze" river is along the line of trees below. 

I don't have to go far to enjoy the blossoming trees!

Especially the high-growth (pear?) trees are stunning

The lovely 4-km walk in the farmland between the cities of Zug and Steinhausen takes about an hour. We live in an ideal spot. In the city, but on the outskirts next to farmland, between the two Lorze Rivers (Old and New). (I started at 13:40)

The first stretch is next to the "Neue Lorze" river, with lots of nice trees along the way, to the West

This one is looking east toward Mt.Zug

A line of very pretty cherry trees

After crossing to Schochenmühle (this is a restaurant), you can join the smaller river called the "Alte Lorze" (Old Lorze River)

This is the Old Lorze River. I was surprised at how fresh the bear garlic is here. 

A pleasant surprise to see the trail next to the stream was decorated with these beautiful hand-painted stones. The artist calls them "Magic Stones". People respect the request not to touch or move the stones. 

A whole line of "Magic Stones". They've nicknamed this the "Gnome Trail" (Wichtelweg)

Details of the painted stones. The gnome says "Enjoy and rejoice, but don't move anything or take them away.... Thank You"

Some of the tree trunks were even decorated like little gnome houses, so cute

A view towards the mountains, where there were more clouds than here. 

Juxtaposition of old and new. 

Aren't these high-growth trees simply spectacular? (Mt.Zug in the background)

After walking for just over 30 minutes, I was too hot in my warm clothes so I sat on a bench in the shade for 30 minutes. When I continued on the walk, the sky had already gotten overcast. I got home about 20 minutes later, just before it started to rain.

At 14:45, an hour after I left the apartment, the weather had turned.

Crossing back over the "New" Lorze River (man-made canal).

Panoramic Views of the Alps from our House Mountain: Zugerberg

Wednesday March 15th, 2023 -- For a change, Urs had to work this Wednesday, so I was on my own. On sunny days I usually like to enjoy the sun on my balcony, but sometimes I will go out for a walk on my own.

As the visibility was extremely good today, I decided on the spur of the moment to head up to our "house" mountain, Mount Zug (Zugerberg) for a short, 5-km walk from where I knew I would get some pretty good views of our local mountains such as Mt.Rigi, Mt.Pilatus, and even the Bernese Alps in Central Switzerland. We have done a lot of walks on our mountain, but there is a high spot called Hochwacht where I had not yet been. From there I walked on a short section of the Alpine Panorama Trail and caught the bus back on the road to Aegeri.

There is a look-out point down in the old town of Zug (called the Guggi), from where I know you can get a good look over the roofs and towers of our old town, and a particularly good view of the Bernese Alps far across on the other side of the lake, so to make sure I got the view before the clouds moved in, I made a stop there before heading up the mountain with the funicular.

Since I started relatively early at 10 a.m., it was still a bit chilly, especially when the clouds hid the sun, but otherwise a very nice and refreshing 90-minute local walk. Sometimes you don't have to travel far...

Heading by bus along the lake into the old part of Zug town, this view across Lake Zug and to the Alps of Central Switzerland (including the Bernese Alps) is just magnificent. 

This viewpoint is called the Guggi, and you can see the old city towers, the church towers, the lake and Mt.Rigi in particular, plus the Bernese Alps. This is at 10 a.m.

One of our old town towers

Across the roofs of old town Zug, and a better view of the Bernese Alps

Here is a very close-up view of the Alps of Central Switzerland, including the famous trio of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau (Grindelwald/Lauterbrunnen in the Bernese Oberland). 

A 10-minute bus ride from "downtown" Zug to the funicular, and another 8-minute ride with the funicular to the top of the mountain

Zug funicular crossing on the way up to the mountain. It was a good time to go up here, we were only about 10 people in the funicular. 

Zug funicular crossing on the way up the mountain.

There is little wind right now and you can see all the reflections of the clouds on the still lake. It looked pretty neat. 

Starting on my walk from the summit station of the Zugerberg Funicular. Eventually I passed by that tower going left, but first I followed a road to the right, and came up from the forest on the other side. 

A short 5-km hike across the top of Mt. Zugerberg, via the look-out at Hochwacht, and catching the bus on the Aegeri road on the east side of the mountain. 

Mt. Zugerberg is not a very high mountain, and yet there was still plenty of snow in the forest on the east side. 

The sun-dappled forest and snow-covered trees were very pleasant to walk along!

Looks lovely with snow...

Near the tower now, a look down at the Montana International school which is near the funicular station. 

The tower which I saw from below

A view from the tower toward Mount Pilatus (Luzern's House Mountain), which is hidden in clouds

That small hill with the tree is called Hochwacht, from where you get some nice panorama views

Zugerberg Hochwacht. I took a few photos from up there but didn't stay long, as there was a cold wind blowing

From Hochwacht: The view to the East, to Unterägeri, Lake Aegeri, and the Glarnisch Alps in the background. 

Far-reaching view to the northeast, past Lake Zurich to the Toggenburg Region

To the northwest, the city of Zug is not visible, only the very west part of it where we live (in the circle) and the next town over: Steinhausen. This is the north end of Lake Zug.

And to the Southwest in the direction of the Bernese Alps in the center. Most prominent is Mt. Rigi on the left, which is at the south end of Lake Zug. 

Close-up view of the summit of Mount Rigi. (See the helicopter on the top left? Usually it's a fly or some other bug which appears on the photo).

Panorama view to the West from Hochwacht on Mount Zug

A red kite in flight

Sunshine on the frosted branches of the beautiful large trees on the Hochwacht summit

Another look toward Lake Aegeri (Aegerisee) as I head down the small hill

The only photo of me on this small walk; I put the camera on one of those fence posts for a self-timed photo!

A look behind me at the small hill with the big trees at Hochwacht

Now I've joined National Trail no.3, the "Alpine Panorama Trail"

From here my end goal is the bus stop at "Schmittli" on the main road between Zug and Unterägeri

There is still plenty of snow on these low mountains. Hopefully some warm weather will get rid of it soon!

This farm is called Brunegg, and there is a restaurant here as well. From here it's just another 15 minutes down to the bus stop on the main road. 

I really wanted to scratch this girl's forehead, but all she wanted to do was slobber all over my hands with her very long tongue!!

So many walks around our city of Zug and our mountain. The one in light blue is the 5-km walk I did this day.