Lake Schwarzsee is a hidden gem in the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland, surrounded by mountains and breathtaking scenery. Easily accessible by car or public transport, this area is perfect for all seasons, and in summer and autumn it offers numerous hiking trails, ideal for both beginners and experienced hikers. In this article we suggest an easy walk in the area and give you some tips to help you plan your adventure!
We love... the lake Schwarzsee!
Situated at an altitude of 1,046 metres, Schwarzsee is a popular tourist destination known for its crystal-clear waters and hiking opportunities. In summer, the lake becomes a meeting place for outdoor and water sports enthusiasts, while in autumn, the colourful foliage makes the landscape even more enchanting. Finally, in winter the area becomes a paradise for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. We discovered the region while taking part in the Migros Hiking Sound, a music and hiking event organised by Migros every summer in various Swiss locations. The hike we suggest today takes you along one of the less demanding but very scenic routes in the area, with incredible views of the surrounding mountains.
Hike overview & map
This hike starts on the shores of Schwarzsee and follows a trail that winds through rolling meadows and dense forests. Get ready for a 6 km walk with a climb of 471 metres. Despite the challenging climb, the trail is well-marked and has no technical difficulties, making it suitable for those looking for a moderate challenge or a relaxing Sunday stroll. The lack of technical difficulties means that no special equipment is required: a pair of comfortable shoes is all that is needed. Along the way you’ll find several resting places and three mountain restaurants for lunch or an afternoon snack. There are also other places to eat in the valley, around the lakefront.
- Fribourg
- Autumn, Spring, Summer
- Easy
- 2:00 h
- 6.0 Km
- 465 m
- Fribourg
- Autumn, Spring, Summer
- Easy
- 2:00 h
- 6.0 Km
- 465 m
Use our hiking map with a 25% discount!
For a safe hike, it is important to have the support of maps and GPS. That’s why we plan and track all our hiking routes using Outdooractive, a platform for tracking outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling and more. By subscribing for free to the website you can browse the entire route database, copy our routes, edit them and create your own and of course share them with friends.
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Hiking route
Arriving to Schwarzsee
Schwarzsee is easily accessible from Fribourg by car or public transport. Once you arrive, we recommend that you start your hike on the north side of the lake, where the main car park is located. From here, follow the signs for the Panorama Trail, which will take you gradually uphill. The whole route is uphill and the gradient is even, so take your time. There are several scenic spots along the way – a great excuse to stop, take photos and catch your breath. After about 1.8km of ascent, you’ll reach the first resting place, Alp Unteres Bödeli. It’s a small mountain restaurant serving drinks, cheese and sausages. If it’s too early for lunch, you can continue for another kilometre and find a second option: the farm restaurant Unter Euschels. From here, the trail continues slightly uphill for about 1.5 km to the highest point of the hike at 1,512 metres. This is almost the end of the walk. From the highest point the trail descends gently to the restaurant Bärghuus Riggisalp.
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Back towards the lake
For the return journey, you can either take the same path as you did for the ascent. Don’t worry – you won’t get bored. The scenery will be just as fascinating from a different perspective, and the descent will certainly be more enjoyable this time. Alternatively, just behind the Bärghuus Riggisalp restaurant, near the car park, you’ll find the chairlift that takes you back down to the valley in a few minutes. Here you can find information about the chairlift. If you have time and haven’t had lunch yet, we recommend a stop at the Gypsera restaurant, right on the lake. The menu includes local specialities such as cheese fondue, perfect for recharging after a hike. Alternatively, you can relax by the lake, where you can hire a boat in the summer or take a refreshing dip in the crystal clear waters.
See the location in Google Maps. For those travelling by car, Schwarzsee is easily accessible from Fribourg in about 40 minutes. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll find a large paid car park close to the lake: CHF 1 per hour for 1 to 4 hours and CHF 5 for the whole day. You can pay with cash or with the Parkingpay, Easypark and Twint apps.
See the location in Google Maps. Schwarzsee can be reached by bus from Fribourg. The bus stop is “Schwarzsee, Gypsera” and from there it is only a short walk to the starting point of the hike. As always, tickets can be bought via the SBB website and SBB App, which we recommend you use to check timetables, routes and travel options in advance.
Tips
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