When tackling the Reuss Valley between Göschenen and Altdorf, hikers should prepare for an impressive mountain landscape. The 32-km-long Gottardo hiking trail takes in a multitude of historically significant sites and properties. Scattered along the trail are a number of information boards, with the first few kilometres revealing many interesting and strange facts about the history of the Gotthard mountain trail. From the viewing platform at the small church in Wassen, you will be able to see the trains climbing through the narrow valley thanks to the system of loop tunnels. You will then have to cross the Felliboden suspension bridge between Gurtnellen and Amsteg. The route from Amsteg to Erstfeld train station gives you the chance to marvel at SBB’s highest bridge and walk over the former Swiss Federal Council bunker without even realising it.

From Erstfeld, you can follow the new 8-kilometre section of the trail all the way to the station in Altdorf, which is dedicated to new modes of transport. From the NRLA viewing platform, you can take in an impressive view of the Reuss plains and its transport routes. The final section guides you along the Reuss river through a popular local recreation area.

Train your sights on a modern feat of engineering!

 

Interactive panoramic map

Click here for the interactive map. Click on the individual marker symbols to discover the Gottardo hiking trail online.

The panoramic map is also available to download as a PDF. A folded-map version is available free of charge from the tourist offices in Altdorf and Andermatt and from some hotels and restaurants situated along the Gottardo hiking trail.

 

PDF panoramic map

Mockup Karte small

Click here for the new panoramic map in PDF format..

 

Route

In total, the northern section of the Gottardo hiking trail from Göschenen to Altdorf is 31.7 kilometres in length. This takes around nine and a half hours to complete. It is better to start in Göschenen (1111 m above sea level) and hike down the valley toward Altdorf (494 m above sea level). The Gottardo hiking trail – which is ideal for families – can be tackled in stages. If you wish to take your time to enjoy the landscape and sights, you should plan to take two days. It is recommended to wear trekking shoes or mountain boots.

The Gottardo hiking trail starts and ends at Göschenen station and Altdorf station, making it easy to reach via express and regional trains. The starting points in Wassen, Gurtnellen, Amsteg, Silenen and Attinghausen can all be reached from Göschenen or Altdorf by taking an AUTO AG URI bus. Large information boards are present at the starting points. From here, you can follow the Gottardo signpost, which points you in the direction of the next stopping point on the route.

 

 Trail  Distance Time
 Göschenen - Wassen  4,8 km  1.40 h
 Wassen - Gurtnellen  4,4 km  1.20 h
 Gurtnellen - Amsteg  6,8 km  2.10 h
 Amsteg - Silenen  1,8 km  0.35 h
 Silenen - Erstfeld  5,6 km  1.50 h
 Erstfeld - Altdorf  8,3 km  2.05 h

 

 

Walking maps

The Gottardo hiking trail is marked on the Uri walking and biking maps. You can order them online here. Alternatively, you can order the free swisstopo print version from SchweizMobil.

 Gotthard ISBN 978-3-906200-38-5 
 Maderanertal ISBN 978-3-906200-39-2
 Schächental ISBN 978-3-906200-40-8