Hiking holidays Via Suworow Airolo - Muotathal, 8 days TO
Hiking Via Suworow
On the tracks of the General
The Russian General Suworow led an army of 21000 men from the south to Switzerland to end the rule of France. The result of this campaign was a wild hunt through the Swiss mountains. Countless skirmishes and stratagems sapped the morale of the Russian troops, who in the end, after a march over the snow-covered Panixer Pass, were defeated on the long way back to Russia.
Considering the adverse circumstances, the General can be forgiven for not having an eye for the beauty of the world of Swiss mountains. He must, however, be congratulated for his selection of the route, because a challenging hiking tour awaits you following the footsteps of the General, taking you over the most beautiful passes in Central Switzerland.
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.
approx. 5 h
approx. 15 km
500 m
1'500 m
Day
8
Departure or extension
Tour character
The Via Suworow poses a challenge for mountain climbers, even without the French resistance. Sure-footedness and good physical condition are necessary to master the stages that are sometimes quite long.
Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
Information
Arrival / Parking / Departure:
Parking at Airolo station. CHF 5 per day.
Return journey by train via Schwyz and Erstfeld to Airolo. Duration: approx. 2 hours.
Travel documents
Travel documents "analogous"
By default, your travel package includes a set of travel documents, which we will transmit you in advance. The following documents will inform you about your tour:
Travel program with all organizational details.
Official guidebook «Cycling Switzerland»
maps for your biking and/or hiking routes
Detailed maps about your stage locations
Detailed programme day-by-day
Travel documents "digital"
If you select the option "digital travel documents" when booking, we will provide you with all documents for your trip in a digital form. You will receive a small set of documents with the following content:
Manuals for the use of necessary apps
luggage tags
eventual vouchers
En route you will inform yourself easily with the app of SwitzerlandMobility and other free apps. Background information and all other documents are electronically assigned and can be downloaded to your mobile phone in advance.
Since this option saves resources and costs, a discount of CHF 30.- per room is offered.