Perfect Family Day on the theme trail "Chäferliweg"

Who knows the only public transport that brings you to sunny Illgau? It’s the smallest cable car in Schwyz and it ascends the 227 m elevation in a mere three minutes. Once there, we take a second gondola that brings us to the mountain station Oberberg St.Karl.

Surrounded by beautiful nature and calm we start on the adorable “Chäferliweg” theme trail. A 45-minute hike they say. However, this is only in theory as we will soon learn. Do not forget the Lady Bug Cards (Käferkarten), which are both available at the valley and mountain station, and off we go on our adventure looking for the seven ladybug children.

Already at the first playground we completely forget the time

The sound of children laughing soon breaks the calm. Only a few meters in, we find the first playground that features absolutely everything a child’s heart desires: an obstacle and skill course, a racetrack for wooden blocks with a transportation cable car, a witch’s cottage with its own tunnel as well as balancing paths.

We wind up the cable car, have countless races with the blocks and, of course, we try to make the parkours in the 15 seconds that are labeled as “great time” on the information board. However, both kids and parents fail to meet this goal. At least we make it in less than 30 seconds – and have a lot of fun while doing it. Added bonus: the kid’s glee of having been faster than the grown-ups.

“Scavenger hunt” with ladybug drawings

We spend 45 minutes on the playground – the time it would have taken to do the hike. It won’t be the last time we completely forget the time on the trail and just enjoy being in the moment. As it is far too early for lunch, we don’t use the two beautiful BBQ areas located near the playground, but we fill our bottles with water at the dispensers. We will have our lunch break at the firepit near the second playground.

The moment has come to start the theme trail. Which we find very easily thanks to the many ladybug drawings on the ground and on boards. The short and easy path leads across Alpine fields, downhill towards Illgau. Again and again, the gaze drifts to the mountains – what a view!

Sun-protected playground with fire pit

We walk past the chime of bells – we even manage to sing the children’s song “Fuchs du hast die Gans gestohlen” after the 28^th attempt – and across pastures to the small chapel. There we toll the bell and make them chime only for us. The kids shout for joy. We soon reach the “Balmli” playground. We cross the small suspension bridge to visit the scenic outpost. Of course, the kids immediately seize the little cable car and there is even a small table with benches in the playhouse. There are also two firepits. Finally, we barbecue our sausages and campfire bread and enjoy a break at the sun-protected playground with tables and benches.

After lunch, we set out for the last leg of the theme trail. We walk under the cable car and zigzag our way across Alpine meadows towards the finish. At the last post with bench, we find the seventh ladybug child, and then we are back in Illgau.

One last highlight

But wait! The adventure is not quite finished, there is one last stop: a visit at the ladybug store “Chäferli-Ladä”. A cozy and rustic eatery with chairs for the kids, a small creek, where the drinks and our feet can cool, while we enjoy our “Puurehof” ice cream. As already at the beginning of our hike, here too, we completely forget the time and enjoy the moment.