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Tell Trail

· 5 reviews · Long Distance Hiking
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Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Felspassage Wagenleis
    Felspassage Wagenleis
    Photo: Switzerland Tourism / Silvano Zeiter, Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
The new long-distance Tell Trail leads in eight stages through picturesque central Switzerland from Altdorf to the Brienzer Rothorn.
difficult
Distance 208.2 km
192:00 h
14,142 m
13,441 m
2,328 m
429 m
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

Profile picture of Laila Bosco
Author
Laila Bosco
Update: March 01, 2023
Difficulty
difficult
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,328 m
Lowest point
429 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 11.79%Dirt road 0.49%Forested/wild trail 23.16%Path 37.36%Road 3.62%Ferry crossing 7.14%Lift/cableway 16.40%
Asphalt
24.6 km
Dirt road
1 km
Forested/wild trail
48.2 km
Path
77.8 km
Road
7.5 km
Ferry crossing
14.9 km
Lift/cableway
34.2 km
Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Alp Hinter Mättental
Restaurant Skihaus Edelweiss
Alp Vorder Wissenboden
Alp Chinzertal
Alp Wängi
Bergrestaurant Lipplisbüöl
Restaurant Bödeli
Restaurant Sonne
Regio Shop - Café - Kiosk
Gasthaus Balmberg mit Mosi-Bar
Berghotel Stooshüttä
Fronalpstock | Hotel & Restaurant
Ferienhof Rüti und Camping
Ristorante - Pizzeria Buongustaio
Wildi's Dorfcafé
Erlebnisbad Swiss Holiday Park
Swiss Holiday Park
Restaurant Hirschen
Restaurant Timpelweid
Restaurant Gätterlipass
Berggasthaus Rigi-Burggeist
Berghaus Unterstetten
Hotel Rigi-First
Gasthaus Rigi-Bärenstube
Restaurant BärgGnuss
Gourmet Restaurant Regina Montium
Hotel Edelweiss in Rigi Kaltbad
Bistro by Regina Montium
Panorama Restaurant
Hotel Rigi Kaltbad
Hotel Alpina
Hotel Restaurant Alpina
Berghotel Pilatus-Kulm
Restaurant Pilatus-Kulm
Restaurant Bellevue
Bellevue
Restaurant Chalet
Restaurant Untertrübsee
GASTHAUS GERSCHNIALP - CAFÉ RITZ
Berghotel Trübsee
Berghaus Jochpass
Berggasthof Rossboden
Hotel Engstlenalp - Meiringen
Tannalp
frutt Lago
frutt Titschli
Frutt Lodge
frutt Bar & Lounge
Hotel Posthuis
Älggialp Berggasthaus
Aelggialp Berggasthaus
Naturfreundehaus Brünig
Restaurant Bahnhöfli
Obsee campsite
Grill- & Speiserestaurant Obsee
Restaurant Turren
Bärghuis Schönbüel hoch über Lungern
Bärghuis Schönbüel
Berghaus Eisee
Hotel Brienzer Rothorn Kulm - Brienz

Safety information

T3: demanding mountain hiking.

 

Good surefootedness

Average navigation skills

Elementary alpine experience

Tips and hints

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

Start

Tell Memorial, Aldorf (458 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'691'865E 1'193'012N
DD
46.881880, 8.643880
DMS
46°52'54.8"N 8°38'38.0"E
UTM
32T 472866 5192099
w3w 
///grudge.eyeful.clown
Show on Map

Destination

Sörenberg, Post

Turn-by-turn 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.

Note

Wildlife refuge Arvigrad-Dürrenboden: December 15 - April 30
all notes on protected areas

Coordinates

SwissGrid
2'691'865E 1'193'012N
DD
46.881880, 8.643880
DMS
46°52'54.8"N 8°38'38.0"E
UTM
32T 472866 5192099
w3w 
///grudge.eyeful.clown
Show on Map
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendations for this region:

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Equipment

Sturdy footwear

Questions and answers

Question from Alexander Skwar · October 08, 2022 · Community
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Question from Hans Ulrich Mueller  · May 20, 2022 · Community
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Rating

3.8
(5)
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Photos from others


Reviews
Difficulty
difficult
Distance
208.2 km
Duration
192:00 h
Ascent
14,142 m
Descent
13,441 m
Highest point
2,328 m
Lowest point
429 m
Refreshment stops available Linear route Cultural/historical interest Cableway ascent/descent

Statistics

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Maps and trails
  • 8 Stages
Hiking Trail · Switzerland
Tell Trail stage 1: Altdorf - Muotathal
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 1
Distance 22.4 km
Duration 5:30 h
Ascent 556 m
Descent 1,447 m

The first stage of the Tell Trail starts at Altdorf and follows the Via Suworow over the Chinzig pass through the Wängi valley into the Muotathal ...

from Laila Bosco,   Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
Hiking Trail · Switzerland
Tell Trail stage 2: Muotathal - Brunnen
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 2
Distance 27.9 km
Duration 5:00 h
Ascent 398 m
Descent 817 m

The second stage of the Tell Trail leads from the Muotathal valley to the mountain village of Stoos. Then it's a ridge walk from the Klingenstock ...

from Laila Bosco,   Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 3
Distance 37.8 km
Duration 5:00 h
Ascent 843 m
Descent 534 m

The third stage of the Tell Trail leads from Brunnen over the Gätterli pass to Rigi Kaltbad. Then it's a cog railway ride down to Vitznau followed ...

2
from Laila Bosco,   Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
recommended route Difficulty difficult Stage 4
Distance 27.4 km
Duration 8:00 h
Ascent 1,650 m
Descent 362 m

The fourth stage of the Tell Trail starts in Lucerne and leads via Fräkmünt up the Pilatus. The descent to Alpnachstad is by cogwheel railway then ...

1
from Laila Bosco,   Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
Hiking Trail · Switzerland
Tell Trail stage 5: Stans-Engelberg
recommended route Difficulty difficult Stage 5
Distance 28.6 km
Duration 9:55 h
Ascent 1,501 m
Descent 2,375 m

The fifth stage of the Tell Trail starts on the Stanserhorn. Then you hike along the newly opened ridge path over the Storegg pass to Engelberg.

from Laila Bosco,   Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
Hiking Trail · Switzerland
Tell Trail stage 6: Engelberg-Älggialp
recommended route Difficulty difficult Stage 6
Distance 25.6 km
Duration 6:00 h
Ascent 563 m
Descent 1,157 m

The sixth stage of the Tell Trail leads from Engelberg over the Joch pass to Melchsee-Frutt. Then it's past the Hochstollen and on up to Älggialp. 

from Laila Bosco,   Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
Hiking Trail · Switzerland
Tell-Trail stage 7: Älggialp - Lungern
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 7 closed
Distance 18 km
Duration 6:00 h
Ascent 444 m
Descent 1,390 m

The seventh stage of the Tell Trail leads from Älggialp towards the Brünig pass and Lake Lungern. The destination of the stage is the village of ...

from Laila Bosco,   Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 8
Distance 21.2 km
Duration 5:30 h
Ascent 1,170 m
Descent 480 m

The eighth and final stage of the Tell Trail leads from Lungern over Canton Lucerne's highest peak, the Brienzer Rothorn, to Sörenberg.

1
from Laila Bosco,   Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee
Distance  km
Duration : h
Ascent  m
Descent  m
Highest point  m
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