Ortstock Mountain
Swiss mountain in the Schwyz Alps
Ortstock crowns a ridge in the Schwyz Alps; hikers use marked trails and summer via ferrata routes to reach viewpoints over the Linth valley and nearby lakes.
Ortstock at a Glance#
About Ortstock#
Ortstock is a mountain in the canton of Schwyz in central Switzerland, notable for its prominent summit and alpine terrain. It sits within the Glarus/Schwyz range and is a familiar local objective for hikers and mountaineers.
The peak is climbed by marked routes in summer and is also visited for ski touring in winter when conditions permit; approaches involve alpine paths and some exposed sections. The mountain offers panoramic views over adjacent valleys and neighboring peaks from its summit.
Geologically the mountain is part of the Alpine chain formed by the mountain-building processes that created the Swiss Alps. Its rock faces and ridges are typical of central Swiss alpine topography.
Ortstock stands within the mountainous interior of canton Schwyz; access is by valley roads and trailheads in nearby municipalities, and it is reached via marked alpine footpaths.
- Elevation: Elevation is 2,717 metres, making it a prominent peak in the local alpine landscape and a common objective for day ascents from nearby valleys.
- Route note: Marked alpine hiking routes exist for summer ascents, but exposed sections require sure-footedness and alpine experience.
What to See#
- Main summit: Summit reaching 2,717 metres above sea level, which is the principal high point visited by hikers and mountaineers.
- Key climbing routes: Steep north face and south ridge routes that form the most commonly used ascent lines in summer; the mountain is a target for ski touring in winter conditions where snowpack allows.
How to Get to Ortstock#
Ortstock is accessed from valleys in the canton of Schwyz, commonly approached from the village of Muotathal or nearby transport hubs. From Zurich, take regional trains to Schwyz or Einsiedeln and then local buses to trailheads; driving provides the most direct access to starting points.
Tips for Visiting Ortstock#
- The ascent involves exposed scrambling in places; bring sturdy footwear and watch the weather - storms come quickly in the Alps.
- Early starts avoid afternoon cloud build-up and offer clearer summit views of Lake Lucerne and surrounding peaks.
- Check local alpine club route descriptions and coordinate with local guides if unfamiliar with technical mountain travel.
Best Time to Visit Ortstock#
Summer months are best for ascent when routes are snow-free and mountain huts (if any) are open.
Weather & Climate near Ortstock#
Ortstock's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -9°C to 10°C. Abundant rainfall (1971 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -9° - -3° | -13° | 149 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 5.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -9° - -4° | -14° | 131 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 5.7 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Poor | -8° - -3° | -12° | 147 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 5.5 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -6° - -1° | -10° | 162 mm | overcast | 78% | 5.1 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.4h |
| May | Poor | -1° - 4° | -3° | 155 mm | overcast | 78% | 4.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.8h |
| June | Poor | 1° - 7° | 1° | 186 mm | overcast | 77% | 4.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Poor | 4° - 10° | 4° | 204 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.3 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 5° - 10° | 5° | 189 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.0h |
| September | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 168 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.7 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Poor | -1° - 4° | -3° | 155 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 5.3 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -6° - -1° | -9° | 165 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 5.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -8° - -2° | -12° | 160 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 6.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
