Tell Trail - long-distance hiking in the heart of Switzerland
To start with, let's talk about us: we like hiking, but there are always discussions with my husband – who is a passionate «rope » – hiker. Because he thinks: Where there are cable cars, people don't walk. That is why the «Tell-Trail» is made for us.
![Andrea Hurschler, journalist and her husband Paulo Garrido, cable car mechatronics engineer](https://img3.oastatic.com/img2/70718889/800x-s/variant.png)
Stage 1: Altdorf - Muotathal
Soon after the start in Altdorf at the famous Telldenkmal, the statue of the Swiss national hero, we are faced with the first cable car ride. The small air cableway Brügg-Eierschwand-Ruogig offers the perfect contrast to the big cableways that will still be waiting for us on the hike. On the Chinzigpass we are really excited for the first time. The unusual mountain formations and the view of the Alpine chain in the Hüri and Chinzertal valleys are something we have never seen before. At the end of the first stage, we reach the mountain village of Muotathal, which is known throughout Switzerland for its rustic weather freshness.Stage 2: Muotathal - Brunnen
Today we experience the dry wit of the people of Muotathal on the joke trail, which leads us to the valley station of the Stoos cable car. The steepest funicular in the world is naturally on my husband's bucket list. After a short break in the car-free mountain village of Stoos and the chair ride, the impressive ridge walk from Klingenstock to Fronalpstock awaits us. The view of the Vierwaldstättersee is simply magnificent and I take more photos than I want to edit at home. The way to Brunnen can be done on foot – but you guessed it: We take the chairlift and the cable car. By the time we reach Brunnen, where we enjoy the dolce far niente on the lake, I too am grateful for the gift of time by the water.Stage 3: Brunnen - Rigi Kaltbad
The lake remains our faithful companion today. First we take the cable car high above the Urnersee up to the Urmiberg. The hike over the Gutterlipass is not without its difficulties. The route to Rigi Kaltbad, which follows the Rigi Felsenweg, is more leisurely. Here it is not only the view of Lake Lucerne that is fascinating, but also the witnesses of the old railway. With Europe's first mountain railway, a cogwheel railway, we finally descend from the Rigi to Vitznau, where the boat to Lucerne is already moored at the jetty.Stage 4: Lucerne - Pilatus - Stans
After the oldest mountain railway, the steepest cog railway awaits us today. But we have to earn this ride first and walk up to Lucerne's local mountain Pilatus via the Kriens Hochwald on countless serpentines through partly rough paths. After more than 1500 metres of altitude in our legs, we are glad to be able to relax our legs a bit and are even greeted with the sight of stone boulders! The ride on the cogwheel railway down to Alpnachstad proves what a hike we have had. The path along the Alpnachersee to Stans, on the other hand, is just a walk.Stage 5: Stans - Engelberg
The fifth stage of the Tell Trail starts on the Stanserhorn. Then you hike along the newly opened ridge path over the Storegg pass to Engelberg.
Stage 6: Engelberg - Älggialp
The sixth stage includes a hike that is very popular as a day hike: the Four Lakes Hike from Engelberg to Melchsee-Frutt. Thanks to the cable car and chairlift, we can easily cover the 1000 metres of altitude directly after breakfast; with the Trübsee, the first lake has already been passed. A special experience on the chair ride: we listen to the whistles of the marmots and try to spot the small animals before they disappear into the air. The three other lakes Engstlensee, Tannensee and Melchsee – and the next destination is the little-known Seefeldsee in the marshy nature reserve of Sachsler Seefeld again a water body. A crowning conclusion to the day: we arrive at the centre of Switzerland. On the Älggialp we complete the short adventure trail and learn interesting facts about the centre of Switzerland.Stage 7: Älggialp - Lungern
From the Älggialp we move through small forests towards the Brünigpass, which connects the cantons of Obwalden and Bern. If there is no cable car waiting, we enjoy the view of a lake on the way down, the Lungerersee with its special turquoise blue colour. Even though Lungern is the furthest municipality from the canton of Obwalden and is unknown to many people: we think it is a very beautiful spot on earth!Stage 8: Lungern - Brienzer Rothorn - Sörenberg
Our legs don't work and we can clearly feel the seven days that have passed. We are all the happier that the Lungern-Turren mountain railway was saved a few years ago and escaped closure. Because on the panoramic hike up to the Brienzer Rothorn there are still a few metres of altitude to climb. Fortunately, the view makes this a little easier. After the cable car ride down to Schönenboden, our tour ends with a leisurely hike to Sörenberg, where we can enjoy the beauty of nature in the UNESCO Biosphäre Entlebuch – and say to each other for the umpteenth time on this multi-day hike: «We already live in a beautiful country!»Details Total Tour Tell Trail
Tell Trail and more
There is also plenty to discover off the official hiking route. Browse through the lists and discover sustainable experiences, ideas for families and easy, enjoyable hikes along the trail.
The new Tell-Trail long-distance trail takes walkers right through the picturesque Lucerne – Lake Lucerne region from Altdorf to the Brienzer Rothorn. For those who do not like to be on the road for ...
The long-distance hiking trail «Tell-Trail»leads in eight daily stages through the picturesque Lucerne-Lake Lucerne region - from Altdorf to the Brienzer Rothorn. There are also numerous experiences ...
The new Tell-Trail long-distance trail takes walkers right through the picturesque Lucerne – Lake Lucerne region from Altdorf to the Brienzer Rothorn. Stunning photo spots await you along the entire ...
The new Tell-Trail long-distance trail takes walkers right through the picturesque Lucerne – Lake Lucerne region from Altdorf to the Brienzer Rothorn. Discover the culinary highlights and experiences ...
TELL PASS - THE TICKET FOR CENTRAL SWITZERLAND
![](https://img1.oastatic.com/img2/70716022/370x-s/variant.png)
Experience Central Switzerland by train, bus, boat and numerous mountain railways in a very uncomplicated way with free travel for two to ten days. In addition, bonus partners offer further discounts and families benefit from an attractive fixed price for children of only CHF 30.
The Tell-Pass is available in German, French and Italian.
All information on the Tell Pass: https://www.tellpass.ch/de/
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Keywords
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The new long-distance Tell Trail leads in eight stages through picturesque central Switzerland from Altdorf to the Brienzer Rothorn.
The new Tell-Trail long-distance trail takes walkers right through the picturesque Lucerne – Lake Lucerne region from Altdorf to the Brienzer Rothorn. For those who do not like to be on the road for ...
The long-distance hiking trail «Tell-Trail»leads in eight daily stages through the picturesque Lucerne-Lake Lucerne region - from Altdorf to the Brienzer Rothorn. There are also numerous experiences ...
The new Tell-Trail long-distance trail takes walkers right through the picturesque Lucerne – Lake Lucerne region from Altdorf to the Brienzer Rothorn. Stunning photo spots await you along the entire ...
The new Tell-Trail long-distance trail takes walkers right through the picturesque Lucerne – Lake Lucerne region from Altdorf to the Brienzer Rothorn. Discover the culinary highlights and experiences ...
The third stage of the Tell Trail leads from Brunnen over the Gätterli pass to Rigi Kaltbad. Then it's a cog railway ride down to Vitznau followed ...
The fourth stage of the Tell Trail starts in Lucerne and leads via Fräkmünt up the Pilatus. The descent to Alpnachstad is by cogwheel railway then ...
The fifth stage of the Tell Trail starts on the Stanserhorn. Then you hike along the newly opened ridge path over the Storegg pass to Engelberg.
The seventh stage of the Tell Trail leads from Älggialp towards the Brünig pass and Lake Lungern. The destination of the stage is the village of ...
The eighth and final stage of the Tell Trail leads from Lungern over Canton Lucerne's highest peak, the Brienzer Rothorn, to Sörenberg.
The sixth stage of the Tell Trail leads from Engelberg over the Joch pass to Melchsee-Frutt. Then it's past the Hochstollen and on up to Älggialp.
The first stage of the Tell Trail starts at Altdorf and follows the Via Suworow over the Chinzig pass through the Wängi valley into the Muotathal ...
The second stage of the Tell Trail leads from the Muotathal valley to the mountain village of Stoos. Then it's a ridge walk from the Klingenstock ...
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