ViaSuworow
Overview
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Distance 28 km
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Duration 7 h 25 min
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Ascent 600 m
Intro
The wonderful cultural landscapes with medieval buildings and stone arch bridges are a joy to behold along the route through the lower Reusstal valley. Totally in contrast to Suvorov and his troops, who only had French soldiers in sight.
Description
The long hike towards Altdorf begins in the village centre of Wassen. Shortly after the start, you come to the Pfaffensprung. Here, the water of the Reuss is collected and led through a 7-kilometre tunnel to the power station in Amsteg. Mainly walking near the railway tracks, you soon reach Gurtnellen. The village was badly hit by the flood of the century in 1987. Having crossed the Reuss, the trail now mostly follows the motorway. Towards the Grosse Windgällen, past dry-stone walls and accompanied by railway bridges on the other side of the valley, you reach Amsteg after about three hours.
While Suvorov did not reach Wassen until the evening of 25 September 1799, the Austrian brigade around Auffenberg – which had arrived in the Maderanertal the day before from Disentis via the Chrüzlipass and was under Suvorov's command – threw itself into the battle near Amsteg on the morning of the same day. On the battlefield, they defeated the French and crossed the Chärstelenbach. Just as the French were about to retreat, the needed reinforcements arrived, and they retook the helm. After reaching Amsteg on 26 September, Suvorov's troops pushed the French back towards Altdorf, who destroyed several bridges on their way.
The hiking trail passes the Zwing-Uri ruins and, shortly afterwards, the tower of the nobles (Meierturm) in Silenen. At the oldest stone house in Silenen, which is still inhabited today, the trail branches off uphill. Passing beautifully laid-out vegetable gardens, you often walk between dry-stone walls to Erstfeld. By now, you have been walking for almost 5 hours. After crossing the Reuss once again, the trail follows the left bank to the mouth of the Schächen. Here too, the beautifully built dry-stone walls are striking. In Altdorf, the cantonal capital of Uri, the long stage ends at the heritage-listed Altdorf market square with its Tell monument.
*Background information and quotations stages 55.1-55.9: Alois Camenzind (1992), Maultiere machen Geschichte oder Suworows Krieg in den Schweizer Alpen im Jahre 1799, Luzern: Verlag Pro Libro Luzern GmbH
During the afternoon of 26 September, Generals Suvorov, Auffenberg and Rosenberg entered Altdorf with their troops and occupied the capital. The French General Lecourbe intended to entrench himself for the time being with the two remaining battalions in Seedorf. All ships and vehicles were in his hands. As a result, the sea route was blocked for the Russians, and with one day behind schedule, hunger became more severe.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Wassen
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Altdorf
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| Direction |
One way
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| Altitude (meter above sea level) |
500 m
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| Ascent |
600 m
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| Descent |
1050 m
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| Distance |
28 km
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| Duration |
7 h 25 min
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| Duration back |
8 h
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| Technical requirements |
Easy
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| Physical requirements |
Difficult
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| Season |
April - October
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Quick Facts
Route number
