Tradition: Swiss Mythology
Alternative Names: Türst, The Dreadful Huntsman
Category: Forest Dweller
The Myth
Türst is a terrifying supernatural huntsman from the agricultural communities of Lucerne, Switzerland. He appears during the stormy months leading up to Epiphany, riding through villages while blowing his hunting horn. He is accompanied by a fearsome pack of hunting dogs, each with only three legs. In some regions, he wears a green hunting costume, while his followers take the form of strange beasts that are half dog and half pig. His arrival is marked by violent weather, the sound of his horn, and the baying of his supernatural hounds.
Türst is dangerous to anyone who crosses his path. He warns careless pedestrians to move aside, shouting, “Three steps to the right, get out of my way!” Anyone who fails to obey in time risks being swept into the hunting procession and transformed into one of his three-legged dogs. His wild hunt can also terrorize livestock, particularly dairy cows, frightening them so severely that they become sick and stop producing milk. Farmers therefore fear his passage and take precautions to protect their animals and property.
Türst is sometimes accompanied by his wife, Sträggele, a hideous witch who shares his frightening nature. In Horw, his retinue also includes a one-eyed leading hound and the ghost of a deceased parson’s mistress, whose eyes glow in the darkness. To protect themselves, people in some villages erect crosses, believing that these can ward off the huntsman and his followers. If a cross falls, misfortune is expected to continue until it is restored. In Ettiswil, farmers leave their barn doors open so that Türst can pass through unhindered, fearing that his invisible forces might otherwise tear them apart. His stormy procession remains a dreaded presence, bringing terror to villages, threatening livestock, and punishing anyone who obstructs his hunt.
Sources
“Türst.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%BCrst