Five-Lake Hike at the Gotthard Pass

July 19, 2016 -- This 4-5 hour hike is one of the first I did three years ago when I moved back to Switzerland... and having lost all my photos of that hike I wanted to do it again.... and it did not disappoint!

I would say this hike rates as one of the very best tours that you can do in Switzerland. It is not extremely difficult and its accessibility means that just about anyone can experience the beauty of the rocky Alpine landscape smack dab in the middle of the Alpine chain.

The 13km round tour includes a decent hike up from the dammed lake called Lake Lucendro (fantastic) and a steep rocky descent on the other side, but otherwise it was a light up and down trail past a myriad of shimmering alpine pools which you have no idea exist up here when you are traveling along the Gotthard Pass road below.

From the Gotthard Road you see only the Lucendro Dam, and have no idea the lakes are up there

The source of the mighty Reuss River (one of Switzerland's more important rivers) is just above the Lucendro Lake.

About mid-way in the loop is a short detour to the Orsirora Pass (only 15 minutes) so we scooted up that for a fantastic glimpse into the Ursuren Valley to the West and the Uri Alps to the East. 

Gatscholalücke (Orsirora Pass) looking West

Gatscholalücke (Orsirora Pass) looking East

Of course it helped my mood greatly that there was not a single cloud in the sky for most of the day, and the sky was deep blue, and the air was cool from a slight alpine breeze (here up at 2500m the temperature was about 24 degrees while down where we live it was a 31-deg. day).


So now for all the wonderful photos that I had a really hard time paring down:

Start of the Hike at the Piazza Lake near the Gotthard Pass (2091m)

Walking down the old cobblestone Gotthard Road toward the Lucendro Dam, and up along its right hand side.

Above the dam is the wonderful Lucendro Lake. Our tour took us up the hill on the right, but there is another trail from the back of the lake to the left over the Lucendro Pass.

We walked about 2/3 to the back then ascended 200m to the right.

200m ascent is rewarded with a great view of Lake Lucendro, the dam, and the Gotthard Pass Lakes at the back.

Zoom to the Gotthard Pass and Hotels. Most people make it only that far and have no idea how gorgeous it is up here.

After the first ascent, there is a lovely high moor landscape. We are too early for the thousands of Cottongrass flowers that will bloom in August.

The first set of three lakes is called "the Valetta Lakes"

The first of the three Valetta Lakes

First time I've seen the trail markers nailed to a rock instead of on a pole! We chose the 15-minute (x2) detour to the Gatscholalücke

Gatscholalücke / Orsirora Pass (2528m) looking West

Lunch at the Orsirora Pass, with views both East and West!

Heading back down the Pass to continue our hike to the left. Those are the Valetta Lakes where we came up from.

Next Lake is called the Upper Orsirora Lake (same as the Pass). Most other hikers this day were doing the hike from the other direction. 

With views of the Lower Orsirora we head down to the next lake, Lake Orsino

This was the trickiest part of the tour and requires balance and sure-footedness

The last of the lakes on the tour, Lake Orsino, before heading down 200m to return to the dam.

Walking along Lake Orsino.

Walking along Lake Orsino. We descended from the dip at the back on the left.

Final 200m descent to return to the dam. The Gotthard Pass and Hotel are visible in the back (South). 

Descent and last stretch past a waterworks and back to the Lucendro Dam.

One more rest stop to enjoy the superb views toward the North along the Gotthard Road, where it descends to Andermatt.

At the lakes back near the Gotthard Pass, the Cottongrass is flowering here (400m lower than at the high moor)

From the Gotthard Pass we return home with the Bus, traveling North along the Gotthard Road, ending up in Andermatt.