Route: Zugersee Skyline (Switzerland)

A circumnavigation of Lake Zug in Switzerland - but taking the high route! It's called the Zugersee Skyline because it includes the iconic Rigi and Wildspitz climbs which rise from Lake Zug, as well as taking in Gnipen and Zugerberg along the way.

The aim of the route is to circumnavigate the Zugersee and pass the high points of Rigi Kulm, Wildspitz, Gnipen, and Zugerberg. Routing between those points is the runner's own choice - the GPX provided is one suggestion for the route.

Starting and finishing at the old town in Zug (easily accessible from Zug main train station), the route begins with a relatively flat path along the shore of Lake Zug, until from Immensee the climbing begins with the very steep path past Seebodenalp to Rigi Kulm. The descent to Arth Goldau is gentler and mostly runnable. The ascent to Wildspitz is steep and somewhat technical, with a short out-and-back to the peak then backtracking to Gnipen. Then come a few steep, technical sections in order to descend the ridge, but mostly the way back down to Zugberg is runnable on gravel roads and small side roads. One final steep descent to Zug brings you back to the old town by the lake, where there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to refuel.

Multiple opportunities to refill water and buy food on the route if you want to be self-supported: Immensee, Rigi Kulm, Arth-Goldau, Wildspitz. Check opening times for mountain restaurants if you're relying on them! Switzerland is brilliant for runners who don't want to carry gallons of water, because there are public fountains in most villages and towns (and sometimes in the woods too) with potable water. They may be turned off in winter though.

Please be aware that in snowy conditions, the steep paths up Rigi and Wildspitz may not be passable.

Route planning and more highlights here: https://www.komoot.com/invite-tour/279737868?code=3pk4d4-dbWxrZ6qdrnOGd4oiYzqdfOuvNPXrpRT1AYGHnrJRPg