Chugel Bahnen Seebodenalp is a marble run trail overlooking beautiful Lake Lucerne, located just a 30‑minute drive from the city. Open from May to October, this new family attraction officially launched in May 2024 and has quickly become a popular activity for visitors to the region. The trail follows a mostly looped route with a few offshoots and takes about two hours to complete at a relaxed pace.
What to Expect on the Trail
The Chugel Bahnen Seebodenalp trail features 11 fun and creative marble run stations spread along the path. Marbles can be purchased at the cable car station or from the vending machine in the parking area. Each marble costs 10 CHF, which is a little steep, but they are larger than standard marbles used on other trails. The interactive wooden stations are varied and imaginative, though the distances between them can feel quite long at times. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps, and it’s common to see cows grazing in the meadows. Be cautious near fences, as many are electrified and clearly marked. The trail includes some moderate inclines and descents, so a hiking backpack is a better choice than a stroller.
Dining Options
There are several dining options in the Seebodenalp area, making it easy to plan a picnic or meal break. Many BBQ spots and rest areas line the trail — perfect for families wanting to grill or snack with a view. We enjoy bringing a picnic. You’ll also find the Grod-Beizli restaurant along the trail and the Hotel Rigi-Seebodenalp next to the cable car station. Both serve traditional Swiss dishes and offer cozy seating areas with alpine views.
Getting There
You can reach the Chugel Bahnen Seebodenalp trail either by car or by taking the cable car from Küssnacht. Holders of the Swiss Half-Fare Card, Junior Card, or Swiss Travel Pass receive discounted cable car tickets. On our visit, we opted to drive since rain was in the forecast and we wanted flexibility to leave quickly if needed. The road up is narrow, winding, and mainly one-lane, with occasional passing pullouts. On clear days, the cable car is an easy and scenic alternative. At the top, there’s a large gravel paid parking area close to the trailhead, cable car station, and nearby restaurant. You can check conditions ahead of time using the mountain webcams.
Final Thoughts
Our family really enjoyed this interactive mountain trail. The kids loved rolling their marbles at each station and watching them travel through the playful wooden structures. Although the stretches between some stations were long and the marble price a bit high, we appreciated that you can reuse the same marble on future visits — just bring a marker to label it. Overall, Chugel Bahnen Seebodenalp is a fun, family-friendly outdoor experience near both Zurich and Lucerne, offering a delightful mix of nature, play, and Swiss mountain charm.
*Note that the Map comes from the Chugelbahnen website.