Let's begin at the end loop of Bus line 3, at Laettich (Baar
sports area). Crossing the nearby pedestrian bridge we're on the hiking
track. River up we're soon at the main road. After crossing the roundabout
we proceed on the left (Eastern) side of the river. The imposing house to
the left (the "Ziegelhuette") was part of the former
brickworks.
After some 200 m we're entering the forest; on a hiking trail as most
hikers wish it to be: gravel road, quietness, forest air, murmuring
water... The ambiance will hold until we reach Hoell, where some foot
bridges will allow the crossing of creeks and swampy areas.
Here technically interested hikers should cross over to the Restaurant.
Not (only) because of the cozy outdoor cafe, but for getting to the old
pumping station.
The short detour passes the Restaurant on the left side, uphill towards
Edlibach. After some 50 m a white marker of "Industriepfad Lorze"
points to the right. For a short while the road is still ascending, but
after some 100 m it's flat and we're now walking along the edge of
the woods.
We've hardly entered the woods, that we're recognizing the small building
to the right in front of us. It is housing the old Piston
pump. For more
then 100 years this pump is in uninterrupted service, sending freshwater
to the Adliswil area in Zuerich Sihltal.
A glass window allows inspection of the working bijou. Also physically one
recognizes the working: it's like listening to heartbeats.
The track runs now over and down to the grotto entrance (Kiosk). A
visit of the two grottos (a lower and a upper one) is impressive.
We're now back at the Lorze and following the bank we're soon at the
first Hydro power plant. About 100 years ago electricity was produced here
for the first time for the metal works in Zug (now the shopping area
"Metalli").
A while later we're crossing once again Lorze, this time on the old
roofed wooden bridge (1759). Undercrossing the two other bridges (1910 and
1985) we may reflect
about "arts in bridge constructions". Amazing are all three
constructions.
We're proceeding along the river. Now the road is a little bit steeper. We
pass the first source for drinking water. Later there follows a second
hydro power station, finally the begin of a canal bypassing Lorze and
delivering water to the power plant below.
The last 200 m to Schmittli we have to be satisfied with a small
Bitumen pedestrian walk along the noisy main road. The river too is jammed
in by concrete walls.
We have to cross the main road Schmittli-Allenwinden.
From Schmittli (Bus stop, Restaurant) we choose the road to the right,
uphill towards Brunegg. On the Bitumen road after 10 minutes, we arrive at
a fountain where the hiking track to Allenwinden begins. There is also a
wooden sign "Wolfbachstr.") We are again on a lovely hiking
track, crossing forests and open fields. We're using the same route as for
"Zug-Zugerberg-Allenwinden"
In Allenwinden on the main road near the Bus stop "Egg" we'll
find the track to Wildenburg and Baar at the residential area Eggried.