Weg der Schweiz, Stage 1/4

From the Rütli Meadow, you proceed up a steep wooded hillside to the Seelisberg. You come across stately homes and sacred buildings along the panorama trail, with its view across Lake Uri and the surrounding mountains. The 960 steps of the old mule track take you back to the lake shore, where lush Mediterranean vegetation invites you to linger.

The approximately three-hour hike begins at the Rütli stop, directly beside the Vierwaldstättersee. From the shore, the hiking trail climbs through open meadows and woodland to Seelisberg. In the village, the route passes the parish church of St Michael before views across the lake and the surrounding Alpine foothills open up at the Schillerbalkon.

Beyond Oberdorf, the surroundings become quieter again. Stretches of woodland alternate with open pastures as the path climbs to Marienhöhe and continues towards Brandegg. The highest point of the hike is reached at around 870 m. Shortly afterwards, Schlösschen Beroldingen stands beside the path; the longer descent back to the lake begins here.

The final section descends to Bauen, partly through woodland and partly across open terrain. After nine kilometres, the hike ends near the Bauen (See) stop, once again almost at the level of the Vierwaldstättersee. The route involves a total of around 500 metres of ascent and descent.