Via Urschweiz, Stage 2

A steep mountain trail leads from Isenthal through woodland and award-winning wild-hay meadows to Gitschenen. Chapels, rugged rock faces and thriving mountain farming accompany the ascent to the cable car.

From the Isenthal, Dorf postbus stop, the mountain trail leaves the village behind. It climbs steeply towards Sankt Jakob along an old cattle track, initially through woodland and then increasingly across open meadows. Just over halfway along, the St.-Jakob-Kapelle stands directly beside the route. Beneath rugged rock faces, steep wild-hay meadows define the valley; this cultural landscape has received recognition from the Swiss Landscape Fund.

Higher up, mountain farming comes to the fore. The sustained ascent continues through the wild-hay landscape to Gitschenen, an alpine settlement inhabited year-round. Nearby, an alpine herb garden and a high-altitude nature trail explore the local flora, while separate themed trails are devoted to dialect, bears and traditional crafts.

Shortly before the destination, the Betrufkapelle stands directly beside the trail. After just over three hours, the route reaches its highest point at around 1,550 m by the upper station of the Isenthal–Gitschenen cable car. The Alpstubli Gitschenen is only a few steps away, and the cable car returns hikers to the valley from here.