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Tell Trail

  1. Hiking
  2. Sustainability
Route
Long Distance Hiking
Length
208.2 km
Travel time
approx. 8.0 Days
Tour details
Tour details
Tell Trail
Gratwanderung Schluchberg
Photo: Switzerland Tourism / Silvano Zeiter, Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
Tell Trail
Felspassage Wagenleis
Photo: Switzerland Tourism / Silvano Zeiter, Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
Tell Trail
auf dem Gräfimattstand
Photo: Switzerland Tourism / Silvano Zeiter, Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
Tell Trail
on the Gräfimatt Stand
Photo: Switzerland Tourism / Silvano Zeiter, Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
Tell Trail
Trübsee bei Engelberg
Photo: Switzerland Tourism / Silvano Zeiter, Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
Tell Trail
Breakfast on the Laucheren Alp
Photo: Switzerland Tourism / Silvano Zeiter, Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
Tell Trail
Brienzer Rothorn
Photo: Switzerland Tourism / Silvano Zeiter, Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
Tell Trail
On the way on the Rigi
Photo: Switzerland Tourism / Silvano Zeiter, Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
Tell Trail
Arrival in Lucerne
Photo: Switzerland Tourism / Silvano Zeiter, Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
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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 leads in eight stages from Altdorf to the Brienzer Rothorn. On this long-distance trail you hike over the "Big 6" peaks of Central Switzerland (Stoos, Rigi, Pilatus, Stanserhorn, Titlis and Brienzer Rothorn) past idyllic mountain lakes and through historic villages. The spectacular mountain panorama is a faithful hiking companion along the way. The individual stages are also suitable as day trips with friends or family and can be shortened by using mountain railways, aerial cableways and public transport (the Tell Pass is the matching ticket). And these railways/cableways have it all: the steepest cog railway in the world, the oldest cog railway in Europe, the world's first aerial cableway with revolving cabins, etc.: the Lucerne - Lake Lucerne region is home to spectacular record-breaking installations. 

 

Stage 1: Altdorf - Muotatal

Stage 2: Muotatal - Brunnen

Stage 3: Brunnen - Rigi Kaltbad - Lucerne

Stage 4: Lucerne- Pilatus - Stans

Stage 5: Stans - Engelberg

Stage 6: Engelberg - Älggialp

Stage 7: Älggialp - Lungern

Stage 8: Lungern - Brienzer Rothorn - Sörenberg

Tour details
Tour details

Technical details

Tour type
Long Distance Hiking
Starting point
Tell Memorial, Aldorf
Point of arrival
Sörenberg, Post
Difficulty
Difficult
Condition
5 / 6
Ascent
14142 m
Descent
13441 m
Best Time of Year
June, July, August, September
Directions
The long-distance trail starts at the Tell monument in Altdorf and follows the Via Suworow over the Chinzig, passing through the Wängi valley to the Muotathal valley. From there, the steepest funicular railway whisks you up to the car-free village of Stoos. The subsequent ridge section from the Klingenstock to the Fronalpstock is a real gem. Over the Schwyzerhöhe the trail goes down to Brunnen on Lake Lucerne. The third stage leads over the Gätterli pass to Rigi Kaltbad. Take the cog railway down to Vitznau and then enjoy the relaxing boat trip to Lucerne. A rest day is planned here in the "city of lights". If you want to continue hiking, you can go via Fräkmünt to Lucerne's local mountain, the Pilatus. After a descent on the world's steepest cogwheel railway to Alpnachstad, the trail leads to Stans, where a cable car takes you up the Stanserhorn. The section along the newly opened ridge trail to Grafenort and finally Engelberg is one of the highlights of the Tell Trail. From Engelberg you follow the popular 4-lake trail and extend the route to the geographical centre of Switzerland: Älggialp. Over the Brünig pass, you continue to Lake Lungern, where you tackle the last stage to the summit of the Brienzer Rothorn. The Tell Trail ends after the descent to the village of Sörenberg.
Safety information
T3: demanding mountain hiking.

 

Good surefootedness

Average navigation skills

Elementary alpine experience

Equipment
Sturdy footwear
Export
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Good to know

Accessible by bus and train
No
Further information & links
With rail/boat/bus

- Distance = 207.3 km

- Total elevation gain = 13,658 m

- Total elevation loss = 12,956 m

 

Without rail/boat/bus

- Distance = 156.3km

- Total elevation gain = 7,126 m

- Total elevation loss = 8,176 m