A Short Easter Week Walk from Bürglen to Altdorf in the Reuss Valley

(Posted on January 12, 2021)

Wednesday April 4, 2018 -- A beautiful spring day in the Reuss Valley, we traveled a short distance to Bürglen near Altdorf, the alleged birthplace of the folk hero William Tell, with a short walk to a popular restaurant called Nussbäumli, situated on the hillside with a most spectacular view of the Reuss Valley and the wonderful Uri Alps. Our main goal of the day was to eat out, and then to visit Urs' Aunt in the care facility in Altdorf, where she has lived since being injured in a car accident.

There is a lot of history in this area, most of it revolving around the story of William Tell. The highlight of the day was the weather and the view, a mild Spring day just after Easter with clear air and a wonderful contrast of the snowy peaks with the blue skies and green valley bottoms.

On the way from Zug to Bürglen along Lake Uri, this is a favourite view of mine: Mt. Gitschen

The beautiful Uri Alps with the late spring snow

The heart of Bürglen: On the left is the Tell Museum, the building ahead is the Tell Hotel, and next to the church is Tell's chapel

The church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Bürglen

As we walk uphill toward the Nussbäumli Restaurant, this is the view South along the Reuss Valley

We came from Bürglen on the right, and will head down to Altdorf after lunch. It was just a one-hour walk!

The Nussbäumli Restaurant

It was a lovely Spring day so we ate outside on the terrace with this fantastic view!

The view directly to the West: The town of Altdorf below, and Mt. Gitschen at the back

And to the North, the South end of Lake Uri

I usually order French Fries, because it's something I never cook at home!

VIDEO

A very interesting weather vane

After lunch we headed North again, and descended past the former Capuchin Monastery

The Capuchin Monastery, built between 1579 and 1581 was in use as a Monastery until 2009. It is now used for seminars

The former Capuchin Monastery in Altdorf

Heading down the hill below the former monastery

Looking over the roofs of Altdorf at the bell tower of St. Martin's church

And a look up at the Nussbäumli Restaurant on the hillside above

Magnolias in bloom

The top of the Tell Monument in Altdorf

The Tell Monument in Altdorf (photo from October 2013)

Waiting for the bus in front of St.Martin's church

This unusual statue was on display in front of the Uri Museum of Art....???? It being Easter Week, I guess that's the reason for the rabbit theme?

Our little 1-hour walk to have lunch at the Nussbäumli Restaurant, and then a visit at the care home in Altdorf. We started in Bürglen on the right, and descended to Altdorf on the left.

To date (April 2018) all the hikes we've done in the area. Mostly higher up. The one-hour walk from Bürglen to Altdorf is the small orange one at the base of the hill

Saturday June 9th, 2018

A couple of months later, after the trip described above, I had to go pick up some repaired hiking shoes in the little town of Bürglen (alleged birthplace of William Tell), the starting point of the previously-described outing. I took the opportunity to look around the Church of St.Peter and Paul with its attractive Baroque Art (including a pink marble organ) as well as the outlying buildings including Tell's Chapel and the ossuary. Here are a few pictures of Bürglen.

St.Peter and St.Paul Church in Bürglen (there is a statue of William Tell and his sone to the right of the church, near the street)

Close-up details of the church

Every church has its colorful cemetery

Pink marble organ inside the church of St.Peter and St.Paul

Baroque interior, lots of pink marble

Another view across the cemetery to the Reuss Valley. "Arnold" and "Betschart" are typical fmily names in Canton Uri

Next to the church grounds is the small Tell's Chapel (and behind it, Hotel Tell)

Tell's Chapel, date = 1588

On the inside of the chapel, frescoes depict the story of William Tell

And otherwise on the church grounds, another tiny chapel serving as ossuary! (I am always impressed by this, reminds you that here where we walk, thousands of feet have gone before, over hundreds of years, living totally different lifestyles...)

Because of the strong link to the story of William Tell, there is a special themed trail around the town and nearby which highlights the main parts of the story. For example, this one describes the "Ordeal of the Apple"