Waldstätterweg Swiss Path

Klausenpass
1948
Gadmen
l
B isistal
Illgau
tal
Stoos
it a
rs
8 Risleten Gorge with dinosaur tracks,
­Beckenried
Imposing gorge with waterfalls and deep views
e
l se
Wirzweli
Wolfenschiessen
V ie r w
Schwyz
Buochs
zer
st
Rigi Kulm
1798
Goldau
Ottenbach
Oberrüti
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egg
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The cultural landscape guide
Beromünster
Waltenschwil
Rickenbach
Meister-
Ettiswil
Buchs
Uffikon
r se
e
Sarmenstorf
Mauensee
Wauwil
Reinach
Triengen
i le
Fahrwangen
Grosswangen
Alberswil
Knutwil
Büron
Beinwil
Oberkirch
Geuensee
Menziken
Aesch
l lw
Birmensdorf
Buttisholz
Nottwil
The two „Waldstätterweg“ and „Swiss Path“ routes all around Lake
Neudorf
Lucerne
offer a view of the unique natural and cultivated landscape. „SurSursee
rounded by the splendour of the world!“ – as the well-travelled poet
and
scholar, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, alreadySchenkon
stated with great enthusiasm in 1779 looking down from the Rigi Känzeli viewing platform. Today,
it is possible to rediscover this feeling from a modern perspective by hiking
around Lake Lucerne.
Mosen
This book presents the hiking trails around Lake
Lucerne, „Waldstätterweg“ and „Swiss Path“. The
Boswil
two topics of the history of tourism and agriculture
are linked to the modern era by means of these
cultural trails.
Menznau
Natural beauty, historical importance, ease of access and early expansion of
transport and hotel infrastructure made the Lake Lucerne region the leading tourism region with an international appeal in the course of the 19th
Eich
century alongside the Lake Geneva and Bernese Oberland regions.
Hitzkirch
Ha
uss
Sempach
Hildisrieden
The Lake Lucerne region
B a ld
the battery is charged before the start of every stage. The app content is
also available online Merenschwand
(www.waldstaetterweg.ch).
nb
Beinwil
It is essential to download the app via a Wi-Fi connection
and make sure
(in german)
Muri
Bremgarten
Ruswil
Hochdorf
de
The guide which automatically provides you with information on topics
Maschwanden
Auw
relating to the Waldstätterweg and the history of tourism and agriculture in
the Lake Lucerne region. Information on this is provided at 50 locations in
the form of texts, images andMühlau
historic film and audio documents. The app
is available for free download (App Store: ios.waldstaetterweg.ch; Android
Market: android.waldstaetterweg.ch).
Wolhusen
Rain
Abtwil
Sins
Swiss Path
Neuenkirch
Ballwil
L in
s
bi
Al
The towns surrounding Lake Lucerne are easily accessible by
public transport. The Lucerne, Brunnen and Flüelen railway
Wettswil
stations offer the fastest connections. The Lake Lucerne
Navigation Company as well as various bus and rail companies offer ideal and regular connections. All public transport
connections are available at www.sbb.ch.
&
Rothenburg
e
Hedingen
Public
transport
Bonstetten
Kl .
Em
Waldstätterweg
me
se
Zürich
Mettmenstetten
Lake Lucerne circle trail
Emmen
Eschenbach
Hünenberg
The app (in german)
Emmenbrücke
Inwil
Dietwil
Malters
Reuss
Cham
The websites www.weg-der-schweiz.ch and www.
Türlersee
waldstaetterweg.ch provide extensive information
on hiking sections, attractions for children and sights
as well as accommodation and dining options. More
detailed information on Hiking in Switzerland routes
98 and 99 are available at www.wanderland.ch.
Affoltern
Obfelden
Online assistance is provided for individual agritourism or hotel planning. The same applies to the
educational sector with the platform “Lernen unterwegs” (learning on the move, in german).
R ot s e e
er
generally always open from May to October. The
mountain hiking trails in particular are not recommended outside of the season. The Felsenweg on
the Bürgenstock is closed and impassable from
November to April. Some stage sections right by the
lake are accessible all year round.
er
Rotkreuz
e
se
Root
Gisikon
www.waldstaetterweg.ch
Schwarzenberg www.weg-der-schweiz.ch
Littau
Udligenswil
Ebikon
g
Zu
Kriens
Luzern
ch
li
et are
Longer than in the mountains: bothUroutes
Zug
Horw
pa
be
rg
Meggen
m
Hiking season
Si
Hergiswil
Se
Zollikon
al
h lt
ge
e
rb
Steinhausen
Langnau
Kirchberg
Zu
Baar
Information and
­accommodation
Kehrsiten-Dorf
Küssnacht
Immensee
rg
Sihlbrugg
Thalwil
Küsnacht
n
15 Swiss Holiday Leisure Park, Morschach
Largest family and leisure resort in Switzerland
Horgen
Erlenbach
Unterägeri
glockenspiel in Switzerland
Männedorf
Stansstad
ers
Merlischachen
Walchwil
14 Tell‘s Chapel, Sisikon
Menzingen
Samstagern
Memorial to Tell‘s leap, featuring the largest
The hiking times are only given as a guide and do not include breaks for eatWädenswil
ing, looking at things and swimming. We recommend that you allow enough
time for the individual stages.
Alpnachersee
Arth
13 Axenstrasse, Sisikon
Road with a panoramic view, formerly a worldfamous tourist attraction
Hütten
Hirzel
*close enough for an excursion
ät t
Greppen
Re
stages are designed for an average level of fitness. It is possible to travel on
public transport on individual sections to reduce total hiking times. Weatherproof equipment is required. The following applies to both routes: take
swimming gear with you!
AlpnachDorf
Pilatus
2120
Kastanienbaum
e
Requirements & hiking times
Zü r i c
hseeshoes and an average level of fitness required: the Waldstätterweg
Non-slip
in particular is a mountain hiking trail on several sections. Sturdy shoes with
Richterswil
good soles are therefore advisable for all stages except for Stage 3. The
Bürgenstock
ee
Weggis
Sattel
Ä g e rise
Freienbach
Pfäffikon
r se e
Stans
Ennetbürgen
Vitznau
Steinen
Rossberg
12 William Tell monument, Altdorf*
Oberägeri
Biberbrugg
Memorial to William Tell with him carrying
a
­crossbow on his shoulder
Schindellegi
Kerns
e
S arn
Sarnen
11 Reuss Delta, Seedorf
Outdoor experience with bathing islands and
picnic areas
H ö h ro n e
FlüeliRanft
Beckenried
a ld-
Gis
Sachseln
Stanserhorn
1898
Dallenwil
Brunnen
e
se
Sih
Ibach
Mostelberg
10 Marienhöhe, Seelisberg
Rothenthurm
The real-life version of the painting which domiEinsiedeln
nates the chamber of the National Council
Etzel
Niederrickenbach
Emmetten
L a ue r
9 Rütli, Schillerstein (Schiller rock) and
Haus zur Treib, Seelisberg
Swiss history in a compact, manageable area
The two routes can be printed out on different scales from the SwitzerlandMobility website (www.wanderland.ch). The „Vierwaldstättersee“
(Lake Lucerne) map by Hallwag, Kümmerly & Frey (both routes) and the
„Weg der Schweiz“ (Swiss Path) map by Swisstopo of Route 99 are
available for purchase.
Klewenalp
1593
Gersau
Swiss Path
Maps
Niederbauen
Seelisberg
Schlattli
Schlattli
7 Hammetschwand Lift Bürgenstock,
Gr. Mythen Rotenflue
­Ennetbürgen/Lucerne
Unteriberg
1899
Felsenweg and spectacular lift on the highest
point of the City of Lucerne
Holzegg
Wä
g
le
Oberrickenbach
Bauen
ne
Morschach
Oberiberg
rs
Melchtal
Ur
6 Chapel Bridge with the Old City, Lucerne
Internationally acclaimed sites within a very
small area
ee
Sisikon
Bannalp
Brisen
2404
Isleten
ee
ot a
Isenthal
D
5 Swiss Museum of Transport,
Lucerne
Hochybrig
Museum with a focus on transport,
mobility and communication
Mu
A
4 Hohle Gasse, Küssnacht*
Muotathal
Site with an information pavilion about William
Tell and Swiss history
Engelberg
Brunni
Flüelen
Klingenstock
1935
Fronalpstock
1922
Pragelpass
Seedorf
Zürich
Route numbers 98 (Waldstätterweg) and 99 (Swiss Path) are always signposted: as regional routes of the SwitzerlandMobility network, they are
signposted throughout and in both directions. Orientation is guaranteed at
all times – however, depending on individual requirements it may be advisableKlöntalersee
to also take maps with you on the hikes.
Melchsee-Fru
Basel
3 Chestenenweid, Weggis
Chestnut groves and nature reserves along the route
Silberen
Chur
Altdorf
2 Forum of Swiss History & Museum of the
Swiss Charters of Confederation, Schwyz*
Modern national history museums
Signposting
Urirotstock
2928
Attinghausen
Brunnen
Flüelen
Kaiserstock
2515
Luzern
Bürglen
Jochpass
Fürenalp
Bern
Schattdorf
1 Swiss Knife Valley Visitor Center, Brunnen
Victorinox Brand Store and the history of the
Swiss Army Knife
sch
Surenenpass
2291
F
Waldstätterweg
Genf
nt a
I
Top highlights on the routes
ch e
Lugano
S ch ä
Imprint
Photos: E. Ammon, aura.ch; R. Bissig, M. Froelicher; C. Perret, perretfoto.ch
Conception: M. Froelicher, I. Steiner, C. Näpflin
Design: A. Affentranger, Schmid Riedmann & Partner
A commitment of the Albert Koechlin Foundation; Lucerne, 2015
Linthal
Titlis
3238
Erstfeld
Information on the Swiss Path & Waldstätterweg
Verein Weg der Schweiz und Waldstätterweg
Postfach 684, CH-6440 Brunnen, Tel. +41 41 825 00 46
info@weg-der-schweiz.ch, info@waldstaetterweg.ch
Ortstock oden
2717Urnerb
Useful information
2224
3198
Gontenschwil
Egolzwil
Schötz
Nebik
Altis
Dagmersellen
The Waldstätterweg
Swiss Path
A cultural route full of history
The path that unites Switzerland
The Waldstätterweg leads around the touristic highlight of the
Vier­wald­stättersee (Lake Lucerne). Explore the natural and cultural
landscape with its historic sites, villages, lake shores and city on foot.
Discover the heart of Central Switzerland anew. Waldstätterweg or the
appeal of a long-distance hike: treat yourself to a break on a hiking tour
to rediscover the landscapes of early Swiss tourism. Whether in one-day
or several day stages, you get a new perspective on the natural and
cultural environment of Lake Lucerne.
The route follows the outline of the lake including all its arms. It leads
along lakeside paths, mountain trails and urban
promenades and includes historic footpaths such as
the cliff path on the Bürgenstock mountain.
To mark the 700th anniversary of Switzerland, a 35-km long homethemed hiking trail was created around the southernmost part of Lake
Lucerne. If divided by canton, every Swiss citizen has a 5-millimetre
share of the path.
The Swiss Path goes from the Rütli via Flüelen around Lake Uri to Brunnen. The varied, attractive route passes through both the steep mountainsides and the flat shore zones of Lake Uri. It crosses over steps hewn
out of rocks before returning to wide, easy trails and
passing many places to rest and swim.
4.30 h 3
Hiking time
2
Greppen
5.45 h Hiking time
Meggen
4
Weggis
6.30 h Hiking time
Ennethorw
4.45 h 1
Hiking time
Gersau
1
Stage 1: Brunnen-Vitznau
Stansstad
A touch of southern ambiance
1
Buochs
From Brunnen on the Waldstätterquai, the square dedicated to the Swiss living abroad and on the lake side to Brünischart and the start of the mountain
trail through almost Mediterranean-like forest vegetation with wonderful
panoramic views. Vitznau is reached via Gersau.
5
5.15 h Hiking time: 4 h 45 min 4 h 45 min Height difference: 560 m
Brunnen-Gersau: 2 h 45 min Gersau-Vitznau: 2 h
From Seelisberg to the Reuss Delta
Past the viewing terraces of Marienhöhe and Waldweidli on historic trails
to Beroldingen, Bauen and Isleten. Along the lake to the Reuss Delta, where
the artificial bathing islands are the perfect place to relax and swim.
Hiking time
6
Stage 1: Rütli-Flüelen
4.45 h 4.40 h 7
Hiking time
Hiking time: 5 h 30 min Height difference: 980 m Rütli-Seelisberg: 1 h Seelisberg-Bauen: 2 h 10 min
Bauen-Isleten: 40 min Isleten-Flüelen: 1 h 40 min
Hiking time
Sisikon
18.6 km
Bauen
V
2
Waldstätterweg
Stage 2: Vitznau-Küssnacht
Via ladders on the Riviera
Past orchards to Oberwilen and via the narrow molasse folds with ladders
that at one time afforded the only overland link to Weggis. Through the
Chestenenweid nature reserve via Weggis, Hertenstein and the Haldihof
farm to Küssnacht.
Railway 1
Stages 1-2 plus Variation
PostBus 2
Hiking time
Isenthal
Swiss Path
Stages 1-7
2.55 h
5.55 h
Hiking time
5.30 h Hiking time
Stage 3: Küssnacht-Luzern
Stroll with views of the Alps
From Küssnacht through the nature reserves in Wagenmoos, along the lakeshore at Meggen and Meggenhorn castle. Approach to the city of Lucerne
and arrival along the 19th-century tourism alley, its quay with distant views
of the Alps.
4 h 30 min Height difference: 310 m
Hiking time: 4 h 30 min Küssnacht-Meggen: 2 h 30 min Meggen-Luzern: 2 h
Stage 2: Flüelen-Brunnen
Over lake shore trails and Axenstrasse
Along Lake Uri and via the Axenstrasse attraction built in 1860 to the
Tellsplatte, Tell‘s Chapel and to Sisikon. Ascent to Morschach with a unique
panoramic view before descending to Brunnen.
Boat
Hiking time: 5 h 55 min Height difference: 1‘050 m Flüelen-Sisikon: 2 h 40 min Sisikon-Morschach: 2 h
Morschach-Brunnen: 1 h 15 min
5 h 45 min Height difference: 620 m
Hiking time: 5 h 45 min Vitznau-Weggis: 2 h 45 min Weggis-Küssnacht: 3 h
3
2
4
Stage 4: Luzern-Alpnachstad
Crowning stage over the Renggpass
5
Stage 5: Alpnachstad-Bürgenstock
A sporty section with views of the Mittelland
6
Stage 6: Bürgenstock-Beckenried
Via the north wall to the other shore
7
Stage 7: Beckenried-Rütli
Through the refreshingly cool gorge on Lake Uri
Past the KKL and Tribschen estate via the Horwer peninsula at the foot
of Mount Pilatus. Passage over the Renggpass, the only overland link to
­Obwalden in the 1860s before the construction of the Brunigstrasse.
Through Alpnachstader Ried and Rotzlochschlucht gorge to the Schnitzturm
tower in Stansstad. Ascent along the abandoned tracks of the Fürigen cablerailway to Oberschilt, then a steep climb to the Bürgenstock, with views of
Mount Pilatus and the Mittelland.
Meet the Bürgenstock cliff path, which as an Alpine promenade, afforded
well-heeled ladies and gentlemen a view back to the city of Lucerne. Past
the pilgrimage site of St Jost along the shore at Ennetburgen, Buochs and
Beckenried.
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 Lake Uri.
Hiking time: 6 h 30 min 6 h 30 min Height difference: 805 m
Luzern-Winkel: 2 h 50 min Winkel-Ennethorw: 30 min
Ennethorw-Renggpass: 2 h Renggpass-Alpnachstad: 1 h 10 min
Hiking time: 5 h 15 min 4 h 45 min Height difference: 773 m
Alpnachstad-Rotzloch: 2 h 10 min Rotzloch-Stansstad: 35 min
Stansstad-Bürgenstock: 2 h 30 min
Hiking time: 4 h 45 min 5 h 15 min Height difference: 264 m
Bürgenstock-Ennetbürgen: 3 h Ennetbürgen-Buochs: 30 min
Buochs-Beckenried: 1 h 15 min
Hiking time: 4 h 40 min 4 h 40 min Height difference: 584 m
Beckenried-Volligen: 3 h 10 min Volligen-Rütli: 1 h 30 min (Rütli-Seelisberg: 1 h)
V
15.9 km
Isenthal route
Via the old country road to the Isenthal valley
The official route of the Swiss Path goes via the old country road between
Nidwalden and Uri which traverses Isenthal territory. This is due to the fact
that until the 19th century there was no passage right by the lake, and it was
necessary to take this steep route. Since it was isolated for such a long time,
Isenthal has maintained quite a lot of its special character, meaning that it is
well worth vesting in any case. The descent is via the crest to Isleten.
Hiking time: 2 h 55 min Height difference: 400 m Bauen-Isenthal: 2 h Isenthal-Isleten: 55 min
7.4 km