Heidi's Favourite Strolls
Einsiedeln is situated in a charming Swiss pre-alpine area that is very popular with hikers. So I suggest you take a break in your sightseeing and go for a stroll.
Here is my suggestion: Enter the abbey garden (on the far right hand side of the front of the abbey) and pass through the parts of the abbey where the work-shops are located to the horse stables. From there a path leads up to two of the best view points of Einsiedeln.
The first one is the statue of St. Benedict. It is about 15 min. on foot and offers a splendid view over the building complex of the abbey and the town with its surrounding hills.
A further 15 min. away you reach the Vogelherd, which offers an additional view on the Sihlsee (lake of the Sihl) and the mountains.
Both view points are stops on the St. Benediktsweg a two hours round trip on foot that will take you to the beach of the lake and back to Einsiedeln.
The way of the cross will take you up to the Meinradsberg from where you get a birds view of the abbey and the abbey square.
Signs in black and white will show you the way to the view points mentioned above..
If you are interested in hiking, I suggest you buy yourself the hiking map available at the Tourist Office.