Swiss hiking trail closed as crews remove unstable rock near Erstfeld
A section of the hiking trail toward Bruust-Schwandi in Erstfeld remains closed as authorities work to remove unstable rock. Geologists have confirmed that five to ten cubic metres of the rock along the cantonal road pose an immediate collapse risk.
The Office of Civil Engineering is leading the rock removal operations to ensure public safety. Traffic control staff will be on-site to manage brief disruptions on the cantonal road south of Erstfeld while the work continues.
The project, costing around 85,000 Swiss francs, is set to last until the end of February. Once completed, the hiking trail toward Bruust-Schwandi will be assessed for reopening.
Geologists had earlier inspected the rock formations and identified the hazard. Their findings prompted the closure of the trail and the start of clearance work to prevent accidents.
The removal of unstable rock aims to eliminate the risk of rockfalls along the cantonal road. After the operation finishes, officials will decide whether to reopen the hiking trail. Until then, the area remains off-limits for safety reasons.
