Weg der Schweiz

Sisikon is located in the flat river delta of the Riemenstalden stream, surrounded by impressive cliffs and steep forested hillsides. This is where the fourth and last stage of the Swiss Path starts. The cantons gifted this cultural trail to the population of Switzerland in 1991. Ticino, the French-speaking region and Valais were allowed to design the fourth section of the trail because they were the last to join the Swiss Confederation.

This stage begins at Sisikon station, which is on the Gotthard Railway line. The Fronalpstock rises steeply in the east. On the other side of the lake, the Uri Rotstock glacier pyramid is impressive, reaching a height of almost 3,000 metres. The trail first follows the stream for a short distance before crossing it. Then the climb begins on the steep hillside with narrow bends through the shady deciduous forest.

Numerous benches, railings and paths cut into the rock ensure a comfortable and reassuring hike. There is an impressive view downwards through small clearings, with the lake becoming more and more remote as you ascend. You reach the hamlet of Tannen at an altitude of 803 metres through the Täfeliwald forest. You will see the oldest wooden house in the canton of Schwyz here; built in 1341. From the vantage point on the hilltop with its lime tree, which is somewhat atypical for this region, you can see across the lake to the Rütli, Seelisberg and other highlights on this first stage of the Swiss Path.

You soon reach the highest point, then continue progressively downhill on a surfaced panorama trail to the intermediate destination of Morschach. You pick up the Chapel Trail at the Franz-Xaver chapel. This circular route south of Morschach leads past five sacred buildings. The area is also famous for the family holiday paradise Swiss Holiday Park, and is located on a high plateau by Lake Lucerne. As early as 1869, Queen Victoria of England, and sometime later Winston Churchill, travelled to Morschach on holiday.

The Axenstein viewing platform is located just before the descent through the Ingenbohl Forest. The panoramic view is magnificent. The mountains and hills that rise around the lake can be spotted from the Alpenzeiger viewpoint. Far below, you may see surfers and sailing boats on the bright blue lake, and historic steamboats heading for the docks.

There is now a comfortable hike through a superb forest, back to the lake in the town of Brunnen. Life is vibrant in this important tourist resort during the summer months. King Ludwig II of Bavaria travelled here. He was regularly rowed out onto the lake at midnight to listen to the alphorn being played for him in front of the fairy-tale mountain backdrop.

The Swiss Path ends here. However, if you have not yet had enough, you can do a circuit of the whole lake on the Waldstätter Trail.