Hiking holidays Via Suworow Airolo - Muotathal

After a steep climb through the Tremola, views open up to the Totenkapelle (Chapel of the Dead) and the Susten on the Gotthardpass. The pass head is «conquered» via the old trading route, just as Suworow and his troops did after the French retreated.

The descent into the Urserntal valley leads through the rugged Gotthardreusstal valley, mainly along the old trading route. Suworow set up his quarters in Hospental in the Hotel St. Gotthard (formerly Ochsen). The route continues along the valley floor to Andermatt.

Taking the route through the Schöllenenschlucht gorge today is much easier than in Suworow's time. He and his soldiers had to force the French troops back down the valley. However, he was given a memorial at the Teufelsbrücke (Devil's Bridge) for his pains. 

The wonderful cultural landscapes with medieval buildings and stone arch bridges are a joy to behold along the route through the lower Reusstal valley. Totally in contrast to Suworow and his troops, who only had French soldiers in sight. 

Constant pinpricks accompanied the general on his way to Lake Uri. Compared to the narrow gorges through which the Russians had previously fought their way, however, the way through the Reuss plain was child's play. The hiker of today will find today’s stage to be the same way. 

At the Urnersee lake, Suworow was unable to proceed any further as the French had seized all boats. So the ViaSuworow follows the route of the Russians from Altdorf into the Schächental valley, where cobbled cattle tracks bordered by drystone walling lead to Biel-Chinzig.

The Chinzigpass awaits with bizarre rock formations and views of the Alps in the Chinzer and Hürital valleys. Unfortunately, Suworow's troops saw little of these as they had to scale the pass with their heavy field guns on a dull, rainy day.