Finstersee is a village in the municipality of Menzingen in the canton of Zug. From here, walking trails lead to Mülibach Falls and along the “Panorama Gottschalkenberg” route; there are also three circular trails, a viewpoint and notable landmarks in the village’s history. When planning your visit, you can choose between a hike and a closer look at the church and school buildings.
Menzingen lies on a moraine plateau between the Lorze and Sihl rivers, at an altitude of about 800 m above sea level, and includes Finstersee. This places the village within the geographical setting of its municipality in Zug.
Hiking Trails, Waterfall and Viewpoint
The three circular trails in Finstersee follow paved roads, forest roads and natural paths. All of them cross private property, so hikers are asked to show due consideration. When planning, take both the different types of trail and this request into account.
The middle route, “Coal Mining – Obergibel Cheese Dairy,” is listed as taking 1¼ hours. It leads to Obergibel, an estate at 947 m above sea level with its own mountain cheese dairy. Cheese can be bought directly from the farm; if you plan to do so, check that direct sales are available before your visit.
Mülibach Falls, around 10 m high, can be reached on foot from Finstersee. Follow the paved road towards Sparen to the edge of the forest; from there, a small path leads to the waterfall. The “Panorama Gottschalkenberg” route also crosses the Mülibach at the waterfall.
A municipal hiking leaflet from 2010 describes the shady spot at MĂĽlibach Falls in summer as a place to enjoy a grilled snack and play with water and stones. The leaflet also notes that families with children appreciated the spot.
The “Panorama Gottschalkenberg” route climbs uphill from Finstersee. After crossing the Mülibach at the waterfall, it branches left onto the hiking trail towards Sparen. It climbs along a forest road to 1,140 m above sea level. A detour leads to the Bellevue viewpoint: there are several barbecue areas, and the view stretches across Lake Zurich towards the Zurich Oberland. If you plan to use the barbecue areas, check their condition on site.
Church, School Buildings and Educational Trail
The Church of St. Charles Borromeo in Finstersee was dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo in 1868. It is listed in the cantonal register of protected monuments dated 30 May 2025. A small school founded in 1858 stands directly beside the church. The former school building is still preserved today and stands beside the current school building, built in 1947.
The “Menzingen Educational Trail” offers another way to explore the history of education. This scenic circular walk introduces twelve educational institutions and their history through text and images on information panels. These include the old and new school buildings in Finstersee. The panels and buildings give the walk a tangible connection to the village’s educational history.
A playground is located next to the church by Finstersee School; its features include a climbing wall. Check the condition of the facility before your visit. Bus route 2 to the Finstersee, Kirche stop is listed as a way to reach the playground. Check the connection against the current timetable before travelling.
For the wider travel overview: Menzingen.
