A Favourite Hike with Friends: Arni Lake High Above the Reuss Valley

Posted on June 14th:  I can't believe it has been 3 weeks already since we had a visit from our lovely friends Anna and Sandy from Vancouver, who really lucked out with beautiful weather for their short Europe trip.

May 23, 2017 -- There is a hike which is a favourite of ours which we have done with most of our out-of-country visitors: a 10 km hike, not too strenuous, but with a little bit of everything: Cable cars, a lake, lots of views of high mountains and steep side valleys, alpine chalets, and lots of Swiss Cows! (Unless it's mid summer, then they are higher up the mountains).

This hike is above the Reuss River Valley (one of Switzerland's most important rivers) in the Uri Alps North of the Gotthard Pass, an area just as beautiful as, although less marketed than the Bernese Alps. The tour starts after a short steep ride in a tiny cable car (max.4 people) to a scattering of mountain homes near a lake called Arni Lake. After a short detour to the North to look over the Uri arm of Lake Lucerne and the entrance to the world's longest railway tunnel (57 km), we headed South to the little hamlet called Gurtnellen, and took a bus from there back down to the Reuss Valley.

I think it was a very successful hike. And I think of all the people who have come up here with us, these two had the best weather!

First you have ascend 800m with tiny cable car from Amsteg in the Reuss Valley to Arni on the alp

This steep short ride takes you from the Reuss Valley to a mountain alp 800m up

The tiny cable car seats only four people, and all the mail and goods for the village and the restaurant also get transported up this way. Also, it's one of many such cable cars where you have to phone up first to let them know you need a ride. And you pay at the top.

From the cable car station at Middle Arni you get the best view into the Maderaner Valley, an upper side valley to the Reuss Valley.

First a 15-minute detour to the North to look at the Uri arm of Lake Lucerne, and the North entrance of the new Gotthard Base tunnel, at 57 km the longest railway tunnel in the world.

Beautiful duo in front of beautiful Mount Bristen

This view is looking North after we passed the cable car station on our way South.

What would Swiss mountains be without the Swiss cows!

On the left, the transport cable car is on its way from the summit cable car station to the restaurant

Walking around Arni Lake, a little jewel on this upper alp.

Near the lake is a look-out point high above the Reuss Valley (Old Amsteg Hydro Plant below). In the back, the winding road into the Maderaner Valley. This road was washed out a few months ago, leaving the valley residents cut off for several weeks. 

Arni Lake. The water level is usually higher.

This is the traditional spot for stopping for lunch, with a view South toward the Gotthard Massif

Traditional lunch bench and lunch meadow, with all our friends who've been here with us before

We are taking an alternate, more interesting route, used mainly by the inspectors of the water supply system.

We are taking an alternate, more interesting route, used mainly by the inspectors of the water supply system.

Crossing the Intschialp stream in a side valley. One can walk up the mountains at the back, but that's for another day!

Our creek water is so clean, we always fill our bottles up like this on our hikes.

Heading South again toward Gurtnellen.

Another view South into the Reuss Valley before descending to Gurtnellen Village (behind the trees on the left).

The meadows are full and lush at this time of year.

My favourite part of the hike, walking through the meadows.

My favourite part of the hike, walking through the meadows.

Swiss Chocolate tastes better because the milk comes from cows who eat these meadow flowers.

Our destination: Gurtnellen Village, still 200m above the Reuss Valley, so we are waiting for the little bus to take us down.

A favourite hike, above the Reuss Valley near Amsteg. Total 10 km, takes about 3 hours to walk.