Weg der Schweiz: Brunnen - Sisikon

The Axenstrasse is the section of the road between Zürich and the Gotthard the goes along the Vierwaldstättersee, from Brunnen to Flüelen. It provides some stunning views across the lake whenever the road pops out of one of its many tunnels. On every trip south, this scenery is a strong temptation not to drive any further, but just do a hike right here. Not in the least because quite often the Mittelland fog seems to dissolve right here, typically providing a mix of stunning views with a misteriously misty atmosphere.

All of this can be enjoyed by any slighly able walker, because the Weg der Schweiz is an easy, well-marked route than loops around the Urnersee, as this part of the Vierwaldstättersee is known. I took Olli do to the section between Brunnen and Sisikon. Olli was my Finnish CouchSurfing guest for the weekend. He was recovering from a broken ankle, and had been advised by the doctor to do some easy hikes to get it back into shape. The Weg der Schweiz proved to be an excellent choice for that.

I was expecting a lot of hikers on the route, on a reasonably nice Saturday, but it was surpisingly quiet. Maybe people did not realize that the route was entirely free of snow, thanks to the unseasonably mild weather? The ski tows at the Morschach "Swiss Holiday Park" were ready for action, but the slopes themselves looked almost absurdly green.

There's not much to say about the route. Ascent on a wide forest track from Brunnen to Morschach. Further ascent from Morschach to Schilti on a paved road. Finally a steeper descent into Sisikon with some steps on a more narrow but well maintained path. Not a T6 route where epic stories are made and heroes are born. But the views will stop even the most extreme mountaineer from complaining how easy the route is.

The village of Sisikon is rather dead. At least there is a restaurant, where you can have a cuppa whilst waiting for the train or boat back to Brunnen. There is one train per hour, but only one boat per day in winter, so plan well if you want to catch it. If you don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere for an hour, then consider going the other way, ending in Brunnen. That would actually also be the 'official' direction of the Weg der Schweiz, in case you choose to be pedantic about that.

Those who like a longer walk, can also continue beyond Sisikon to Flüelen. (Note however that a section of that path is currently blocked, and the diversion along the main road might not be so pleasant.) Heck, even the entire Weg der Schweiz with its 36 km is a perfectly feasable day hike for the energetic. I might well do that at some point, when the days are a bit longer again. Maybe as training for the Rigi March, or otherwise just for the sake of it.