Colourful mountain springtime in the Urner Alps
Tour description
When traffic jams stretch from the Gotthard Tunnel to Gurtnellen, few of those forced to park their cars have any idea that high up on the sunny slopes of the steep Urnerland region, idlers can enjoy a number of exquisite natural idylls, far removed from the stress and strain of the A2 motorway.
The first 700 metres of altitude are covered by floating on the Intschi cable car to Lake Arnisee. Only then does the hike into the Schindlachtal valley begin. The field names here reveal a lot about the landscape: Heissigegg, Rostwald, Wildampferen, Wolfbiel and Siechrut are what they are called – you will find out what these mean along the way.
We stop for lunch at a private hunting lodge that four elderly men have renovated. One of them is usually upstairs, serving hungry guests and offering thirsty visitors a coffee with homemade schnapps... it's a different world up there.
We hike out of the valley along the high trail with views of the Maderanertal valley and the Hüfigletscher glacier. The path is lined with blueberry bushes glowing in all shades of red and rust. You'll dream of this the next time you're stuck in traffic between the crash barriers in front of the north portal... I promise.
Saturday | 06. June 2026
Length and duration
10 km | ↗︎ 780 ↘︎ 780 m elevation gain | 4.5 hours
Difficulty
Good paths and trails without difficulties, normal fitness level
Price
CHF 115.- including return cable car ticket from Intschi to Arnisee / teens CHF 59.-
Services
Guided day hike including the Intschi cable car and wild stories from the Urnerland region.
Not included
Travel to/from Intschi, drinks and lunch at the hut or food from your backpack.
Equipment
Hiking shoes and daypack | packing list will be sent before the tour.
Registration deadline & payment
Sunday 31 May 2026 | payment after registration by TWINT or QR code.
Arrival & meeting point
Best reached by public transport, Intschi cable car valley station at 09:45, departure Zurich main station at 07:35.
Return journey
Intschi valley station from 17:08, back in Zurich main station at 18:55.
Hiking guide
Markus Unterfinger
Phone: 076 419 21 10
markus@wanderidee.ch