Gadmen
l
ot a
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
Rudolfstetten
e e r se egg
Hitzkirch
The cultural landscape guide
Beromünster
Sarmenstorf
Meisterschwanden
Mauensee Ettiswil Alberswil
Knutwil
Buchs
Egolzwil
Triengen Gontenschwil
G
Ohm
Schötz Nebikon
Uffikon
i le
Fahrwangen
Grosswangen
Wauwil
Reinach
r se
e
Beinwil
Oberkirch
Geuensee
Büron
l lw
Waltenschwil
Rickenbach
Menziken
Aesch
Ha
Re
uss
(in german) Muri
Bremgarten
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.
B a ld
Beinwil It is essential to download the app via a Wi-Fi connection and make sure the battery is charged before the start of every stage. The app content is also available online Merenschwand (www.waldstaetterweg.ch).
Sempach Hildisrieden The Lake Lucerne region
Hochdorf
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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).
Birmensdorf
Zürich
Rain
Abtwil
Sins
Wolhusen
Ruswil
Ballwil
Oberrüti
Swiss Path
Neuenkirch
Eschenbach
nb
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
e are Longer than in the mountains: bothUroutes 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.
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).
Lake Lucerne circle trail
Emmen
Inwil
Dietwil
Hünenberg
The app (in german)
Emmenbrücke
er
g
s
Malters
Reuss
Cham
Information and accommodation
R ot s e e
ch
er
Baar
er
Rotkreuz
ee
Root
Gisikon
www.waldstaetterweg.ch
Schwarzenberg www.weg-der-schweiz.ch
Littau
Udligenswil Ebikon
g Zu
Kriens
Luzern
pa
b tl i
b
Horw
m
Hiking season
Si
Hergiswil
Se
Zollikon
er
Sihlbrugg
Langnau
al h lt
Zug
Mettmenstetten The websites www.weg-der-schweiz.ch and www. Türlersee waldstaetterweg.ch provide extensive information
Erlenbach
Kirchberg
g Zu
Steinhausen
Thalwil
n
n
15 Swiss Holiday Leisure Park, Morschach Largest family and leisure resort in Switzerland
Horgen
Küsnacht
Unterägeri
g er
glockenspiel in Switzerland
Männedorf
Meggen
Küssnacht
Immensee
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.
Kehrsiten-Dorf
Merlischachen
Walchwil
13 Axenstrasse, Sisikon Road with a panoramic view, formerly a worldfamous tourist attraction Hütten
Hirzel *close enough for an excursion
Alpnachersee
Stansstad
ers
Greppen
de
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!
ät t
Arth
L in
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 täfa stages are designed for an average level of fitness. It is possible to travel on
AlpnachDorf Pilatus 2120
Kastanienbaum
e
Requirements & hiking times
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 Sarn
Sarnen
11 Reuss Delta, Seedorf Outdoor experience with bathing islands and picnic areas
H ö h ro n e
FlüeliRanft
Beckenried
a ld-
Giswil
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
5 Swiss Museum of Transport, Lucerne Hochybrig Museum with a focus on transport, mobility and communication
Mu
Isenthal
D
4 Hohle Gasse, Küssnacht* Muotathal Site with an information pavilion about William Tell and Swiss history
Engelberg
Brunni
Flüelen
Klingenstock 1935 Fronalpstock 1922
Pragelpass
A
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.
Seedorf
Zürich
3 Chestenenweid, Weggis Chestnut groves and nature reserves along the route
Silberen
Melchsee-Frutt
Basel
B isistal
Altdorf
Chur
Attinghausen
2 Forum of Swiss History & Museum of the Swiss Charters of Confederation, Schwyz* Modern national history museums
Signposting
Urirotstock 2928
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
ärnisch 14
Surenenpass 2291
F
Waldstätterweg
I
nt a
Lugano
Top highlights on the routes
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Genf
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
Sustenpass 2224
Gr. Spannort 3198
Klausenpass 1948
Altishof Dagmersellen Langnau
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
4 h 45 min Height difference: 560 m Hiking time: 4 h 45 min 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