Following historic trails – Via Gottardo

The starting point of your hiking adventure on Via Gottardo is at the train station in Basel. The St. Alban Tor leads to the banks of the Rhine. Directly on the water you walk along former fishing paths along the Rhine and then you cross the Hardwald recreation area. After you have left the town of Muttenz… read more

The second stage is characterized by the historic Hauenstein line, one of the oldest railway lines in Switzerland. Relaxed you follow the Via Gottardo from Liestal towards Lausen. In Ergolz- and Homburgertal you will find a multitude of imposing palaces and fortified castles. So you can visit the late… read more

At 11 kilometers, this stage is one of the shorter of the Via Gottardo, so you can start the day in a relaxed manner. Through the gentle hills of the Jura Mountains you follow the path through quiet forests and across wide meadows. Before you get to Trimbach, you have the opportunity to hike up the promising… read more

From Olten you follow the course of the Aare to the south and you will soon reach the shady Bornwald. From the slopes of the Born mountain you can enjoy a great view of Aarburg. The sight of the church enthroned high above the city is particularly beautiful. Behind it lies the mighty fortress, which… read more

On the fifth day you leave Zofingen heading south and hike through areas that are very typical of the Central Plateau. You move at the interface between forest, cultural landscape and small villages. The route leads uphill and downhill and takes you to beautiful viewpoints again and again. Halfway there… read more

The first section of the sixth stage is shaped by Lake Sempach. You pass the lido and then walk a little higher along the east bank of the lake. In the small town of Kirchbühl stands the Sankt Martin church, one of the oldest churches in the canton of Lucerne. The numerous restaurants and cafés in the… read more

The seventh is the most relaxed of the 20 stages of the Via Gottardo: From Lucerne, the boat takes you across the beautiful Lake Lucerne to Flüelen. Just lean back and enjoy the impressive view of the water and the surrounding mountains. The steamboat takes you to Flüelen at the southern end of the lake… read more

On the eighth day you leave Altdorf and hike through the Reuss Valley, which is bordered by mighty mountains. The alternation of medieval towers, ornate churches and the railway line make this stage an exciting journey through time. A detour to the castle ruins in Attinghausen is worthwhile. Accompanied… read more

At a good ten kilometers, this stage is one of the shorter of the Via Gottardo. So you have enough time to enjoy the wonderful landscape. Even today you will be accompanied by the clear mountain water of the Reuss, which is perfect for a foot bath. After you have left the town of Göschenen behind you… read more

From Andermatt the route leads to Hospental, a typical village on the pass with holiday homes, restaurants and a castle complex that is well worth seeing. Like the Gotthardstrasse itself, the hiking trail winds up the mountain. You walk a part of the old Postkutschenstrasse and the historic mule track… read more

After a relaxing night at over 2,000 meters above sea level, the eleventh stage from the Sankt Gotthard Hospice past the Chapel of the Dead and down the mountain. You can enjoy a truly unique view a few hundred meters below the pass: the world-famous Tremola road meanders along the slope in 24 bends… read more

From Airolo you hike to a wooded hilltop on which the Torre dei Pagani is located. The view back over the place and the green valley is wonderful. From the tower, which was once part of a medieval castle, you descend to the banks of the Ticino. You follow the course of the river through the beautiful… read more

This stage is characterized by the element of water, because the fascinating Piottino Gorge is located directly on the outskirts of Rodi. Over bridges and stairs you hike between the steep rock walls above the crystal-clear Ticino River. The gorge is one of the most important passages of the Via Gottardo… read more

Stage 14 starts with a short ascent south of Lavorgo. You walk through the deep green forest to the quaint village of Chironico, where the beautiful Chiesa di San Maurizio is located. High above the river bed of the Ticinos, the route continues south with great views. Again and again you come to idyllic… read more

Well rested, you cross the center of Biasca and return to the banks of the Ticino. The path leads you through the impressive Rivieratal, once on this side, once across the river. Along the route there are small towns and villages where you can take a break or strengthen yourself. Without major differences… read more

In beautiful Bellinzona you can start the day with a visit to the mighty Castello di Montebello. The first part of this stage is relaxed, because you walk on the banks of the Ticino to Giubiasco. The path leads past the church and the sculpture park there to the eastern edge of the district. Here you… read more

From Tesserete it goes south. Outside the village you hike on the flank of the Sasso Scuro through an idyllic forest and you will soon reach the medieval Torre die Redde. There is also a picnic area by the stone tower and a few steps away you can visit the small church of San Clemente.



After the Torre… read more

Changing views of the magnificent Lake Lugano characterize this stage. From the municipality of Paradiso, which borders Lugano in the south, you hike to Monte San Salvatore. The ascent of the path is sometimes demanding, but the panorama from the most famous viewpoint on Lake Lugano makes up for it… read more

The penultimate stage starts with a leisurely crossing from Morcote to Brusino. From the ferry you can enjoy a new perspective of the picturesque places on the shore. This is followed by a crisp ascent to Serpiano, which you can shorten with the cable car if necessary. From Serpiano you hike further… read more

On the last stage of the Via Gottardo you can look forward to Italian flair and varied landscapes. Over the green vineyards outside of Mendrisio you hike through beautiful nature and small villages. The Geopark Parco delle Gole della Breggia is a special highlight: fossils from the Jura and Tertiary… read more