Hiking holidays Cradle of Switzerland

Drop off your luggage and take the cable car up to the Klewenalp. The hike begins on broad, easy paths and continues along a wildlife trail dotted with information boards about the local wild animals and birds. As you walk, sweeping views open up over Lake Lucerne and the Rigi and Pilatus peaks. Passing through colourful alpine meadows, you eventually reach the Niederbauen mountain inn. From here, a cable car takes you down to Emmetten, where a bus returns you to Beckenried.

The cable car takes you back up to the Klewenalp, where you begin the ascent to the Hinterjochli. From here, narrow mountain trails lead you along the Via Urschweiz heritage trail[BH1] to Gitschenen. Another cable car takes you down to St. Jakob, where you continue on foot along the traditional crafts trail to Isenthal. A spectacular winding bus ride with expansive views over Lake Uri brings you to picturesque Altdorf, the principal town of the canton of Uri and home to the famous William Tell monument.

The day begins with an impressive drive along one of Switzerland’s most striking alpine roads. The Klausen Pass, marking the boundary between the cantons of Uri and Glarus, serves as the starting point for today’s hike. From here, the Schächental High Trail leads you through the Schächen Valley, rising and falling gently through sun‑drenched slopes, majestic mountain scenery and a remarkable world of alpine flowers and plants. Your destination is the charming Alphotel Biel-Kinzig, beautifully situated in the Biel-Kinzig mountain area.

You continue along the Schächental High Trail towards Eggbergen, pausing for a break at the inviting Fleschsee lake along the way. From Eggbergen, the route leads through Uri’s largest wild-hay landscape. At Oberaxen, you board the typical Schiffli – a small, traditional cable car – down to Flüelen, before taking the train onwards to Schwyz. The cable car ride is not for the faint-hearted! In fact, this entire section requires sure-footedness and a good head for heights.

The day begins with a bus ride to Rickenbach, followed by the cable car up to the Rotenfluh, where sweeping views over the Schwyz basin await. Easy paths lead you past the Grosser and Kleiner Mythen peaks. Just before reaching the Mostelberg, a barefoot trail adds a playful change of pace, before the world’s first revolving gondola cableway carries you back down into the valley. From Sattel you can visit the Morgarten memorial, which overlooks Lake Aegeri, before returning by bus to Schwyz.

From Sattel, the trail climbs steadily towards the Wildspitz, the highest peak in the canton of Zug. Following the ridge of the Rossberg massif – famous for the devastating Goldau landslide of 1806 – the route leads on towards Arth-Goldau. Before you arrive, enjoy one last panoramic view of the magnificent Alps and lakes of Central Switzerland. Your journey concludes with luggage pick‑up and departure, or you may choose to extend your stay.