Luzerner Hinterland–Rigi

Peaceful Pfaffnertal is shaped by farming. Then follows a stamina-sapping up and down section, efforts compensated by wonderful views in Bellevue. After old tractors in the Burgrain Farming Museum, enjoy the sweet, hard Willisauer Ringli biscuits in the town. Along protected ponds in Ostergau to Ruswil, Switzerland’s largest farming municipality.

Over the Brunau mountain ridge to Emmenbrücke, Luzern’s multi-culti agglomeration. After visiting the Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), lakeside promenade or Verkehrshaus (Transport Museum) in Luzern’s seething tourist pool, the perspiration-producing route climbs again; picture-postcard views of the lake and Rigi.

Küssnacht was once a port on the old Gotthard route, the «Hohle Gasse» from the Tell legend is not far off the route. Then a twisting panoramic stretch along the Vierwaldstättersee to climate-cosseted Gersau, where palms and chestnut trees give a southern feel. But the town of Brunnen, historic old Switzerland and the Gotthard await.