All hikes in Uri/Gotthard

Rambling through airy fir forests, walking over magic carpets of wild flowers and experiencing ancient haymaking and Alpine traditions at the same time? The wild-haymaking trail on the Rophaien near Flüelen overlooking the emerald green Lake Uri is an ideal hiking destination.

Mule track, main road, Gotthard Railway, motorway, NEAT building site... by the latest in Erstfelden, the Urnertal seems like a transit corridor. Silenen, Amsteg: of symbolic note on the old mule track. Good views of Wassen’s hilltop church and the helical tunnel.

Discover the courtship rituals of black cocks, and with some luck and a sharp eye, observe mountain wildlife on the steep slopes. Equipped with binoculars and a backpack, you'll follow a ranger who knows exactly where the wild things are in the Niederbauen region.

Through the refreshingly cool gorge on the Urnersee lake - along the lakeshore road to Risleten and a climb through the attractive Risletenschlucht gorge. Crossing of the Stützberg along the historic path to Volligen and arrival in Rütli, with views down to the Urnersee lake.

The trail goes up from the picturesque Urnerboden to the Klausen Pass, which is famous for its classic car races. Over different little alps and various villages, the trail passes through the Schächental valley and then onwards to Altdorf.

From the pass with its old refuge, the Hospiz, and Totenkappelle (Cemetery Chapel), the section leads to the world-famous Tremolastrasse, which climbs an impressive 340 metres around 24 bends. Once you reach Airolo, the obere Leventina valley awaits with further discoveries.

The Alpine mountain trail from Gitschenen to Klewenalp provides a striking experience of nature with its flowers, wild animals and unique pond landscape. At the highest point, the Hinterjochli, the view extends far into the Swiss Mittelland.

From Andermatt the hike continues to Hospental, a typical mountain-pass village with refuge shelters, a customs post and guest houses. The route then leads along part of the cobbled post coach road dating from 1830 and the old pack-animal trail up to the pass to the Hospiz (hostel).

A section that particularly delights flora lovers. But those with an interest in geology will constantly look up towards summits known to hold mountain crystal. The interesting composition of the route makes this section a “kings stage”.

The Vier-Quellen-Weg (Four Springs Trail) in the Gotthard Massif leads to the sources of four rivers: the Rhine, Reuss, Ticino and Rhone. A tour through an exceptional Alpine landscape with a wide diversity of fauna, flora and witnesses to a historic past.

Closely watched by the devil, the route leads from Wassen to Göschenen and through the bottleneck of the Schöllenenschlucht gorge to Andermatt. The sequence of historic routes, bridges, customs posts and hostels bring pre-modern transport to life.

The route follows paving of the old mule track to the pass of passes. Vast variety of colourful Alpine flora. The striking ventilation plant of the Gotthard road tunnel is like a music pavilion. At pass head, interesting museum on post-coach times.

Isleten is an idyllic village on Lake Urn, and Gitschenen a unique sunny mountain terrace surrounded by Switzerland’s steepest wild haymaking terrain. Isenthal is located in between these two. This is an exciting hike on old paths up into the mountains.

A stage for railway fans: part of the trail runs right alongside the railway tracks, past Göschenen and Andermatt, which played important roles in Gotthard traffic history. In between the Schöllenenschlucht (gorge), shrouded in myth.

At the Urnersee lake, Suvorov was unable to proceed any further as the French had seized all boats. So the ViaSuworow follows the route of the Russians from Altdorf into the Schächental valley, where cobbled cattle tracks bordered by drystone walling lead to Biel-Chinzig.

The Chinzigpass awaits with bizarre rock formations and views of the Alps in the Chinzer and Hürital valleys. Unfortunately, Suvorov's troops saw little of these as they had to scale the pass with their heavy field guns on a dull, rainy day.

The Senda Sursilvana affords an insight into a whole region, one which holds many natural and cultural treasures. A high-level hike with several detours to the banks of the young Rhine.

Many spots with views of the Urnersee lake in all its splendour. Interesting and impressive houses between Seelisberg and Bauen as well as at Seedorf. Plenty of places for refreshment and playgrounds en route.

On the seventh stage, a small cable car and stone steps lead from Altdorf into Central Switzerland, with much green, a little snow, and the Surenen Pass awaiting hikers along the way, as well as goats, cows and horses, before finally arriving in Engelberg.

Traditional craftsmanship, the magnificent expanses of wild hay in the Isenthal, and a superb view of the Mittelland - this is what you will see when you are on the hiking trail that links the cantons of Uri and Nidwalden as it passes by histori-cally significant scenery and transport routes.