Winter wonders over Lake Uri (Central Switzerland)

Duration:	2h 30min.
Starting point:	Eggberge (mountain station)
Target:	Ruogig (mountain station)
Condition:	medium
Technology:	medium

December-April

Breathtaking panoramic winter hike above Lake Uri to one of the most beautiful insider tips in the canton of Uri

by Marc Gottwald

Cable car from Flüelen to the Eggberge
Snowshoes necessary when freshly snowed. Otherwise, walking shoes will suffice
Wonderful panoramic views of the Swiss Alps
Hike also suitable for families
In summer there are fireplaces and a romantic lake (Fläschsee)

A dream place to enjoy

A magical winter landscape with a unique panoramic view of Lake Uri. This sounds pretty much like mass tourism right?

Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that! Here the chance of seeing an animal is almost greater than meeting a human being.

Okay, we don’t have to exaggerate, but in any case we were almost alone on this hike through a wonderful winter wonderland.

Steep cable car

“I don’t know if I’ve ever ridden such a steep cable car,” I whispered into my companion’s ear.

At a distance of only 1.6 kilometers and 1000 meters in altitude, the cable car takes you and your companions safely to the Eggberg. A really strong technical achievement.

If you’re not really interested in the technical stuff, then definitely this: Already during the ride you will be spoiled with an unbelievably beautiful panoramic view of Lake Uri and the Uri Alps.

Once on the Eggberg, you hike in the direction of Ruogig, which you can reach in a good 2 hours 30 minutes and 400 meters in altitude.

The purple posts show you the marked winter hiking trail. Snowshoes are officially required for this. But if it hasn’t snowed for a few days, the hike can also be done very well with normal hiking boots, as the snowshoe hikers will automatically prepare the path for you.

Eggberg is quite a big place, so many locals spend their holidays here.

But as soon as you have passed the last houses, you can enjoy the wonderful tranquility with an imposing snow-white mountain panorama. In addition to the 2500 meter high Gitschen you can also see the almost 3000 meter high Uri Rotstock.

A rare Swiss tradition in summer

Of course, you can also hike on the Eggberg in summer. Then you can witness an ancient but very rare Swiss tradition, especially in the direction of Rophaien (not on this route): wild haymaking.

Wild hay is ecologically valuable because rare plants and animals such as orchids, tiger lilies and gentian blue (butterflies) can survive in this way. Because the slopes are very steep, fatal accidents occur again and again, even though shoes with nails are used today. From an economic point of view, hardly any farmer would wild hay today. That is why the federal government is giving farmers several thousand francs per hectare in subsidies. After about 45 minutes you leave the meadow and enter the snow-covered forest. The snow tracks of the animals are exciting. In addition to rabbit tracks, we also saw squirrel tracks, for example. And you? Soon the highest point of the hike is reached, the Hüenderegg. What a beautiful panorama! Just lovely! With good visibility, even the Rigi and the Titlis can be seen. An ideal place for an enjoyable picnic.

If you don’t have any food with you, you can either enjoy something delicious in the Alpkiosk Fläschsee or about 15 minutes away at the Alpbeiz Selez. The Alpbeiz Selez convinced us with the fine french fries. When the snow has melted, there is also a fireplace at Fläschsee. Well-fortified, the Ruogig cable car station can be reached from Alpbeiz Selez in around 20-30 minutes.