Etzel Pass, Mountain pass in Schwyz and Einsiedeln, Switzerland.
Etzel Pass is a mountain crossing between Pfäffikon and Einsiedeln situated at 950 meters in elevation, opening views toward Lake Zurich and Lake Sihl. The asphalt road that connects these two regions winds gently for roughly 11 kilometers between the valleys.
The pass became an important trade route during the 13th century, connecting regions through the Swiss Alps and serving travelers across generations. Later developments brought pilgrimage traditions and eventually modern vehicle traffic, transforming it into a central transportation artery for the area.
The chapel at the summit honors Saint Meinrad, a hermit who once lived in these mountains and is deeply venerated in the region. Pilgrims still visit this site today as part of their spiritual journeys through the Alpine landscape.
The road is paved year-round and accessible to both cars and bicycles, though visitors should expect snowy conditions during winter months. The changing grades and curves require careful driving, particularly when the road surface is wet or slippery.
A mountain inn sits at the summit, built on the former site of an 18th-century pilgrim lodge that burned down. This history of loss and rebuilding remains part of the pass's character and story.
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