Industry Path from Cham to Sins

Sunday May 12, 2019 -- Sunday (one week earlier than at the time of this posting) we were lucky to have very nice weather locally only, so we decided short notice to do a 3-hour hike very near to our home. 

This area (specifically, one town over in Cham where the Lorze River leaves Lake Zugersee on its way to the Reuss River) factored heavily in early industrialization, as the river offered much water power for such industries as the large paper mill (in operation till 2016) and various mills from grain (600 years in operation) to weaving and spinning. Most notably this is the area where Nestlé got its renown, after fusion with the global Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company founded here in 1866 (at the time Cham was nicknamed "Milchopolis"... in 1907 approx. 100,000 L of milk were delivered here daily, from 1000 suppliers in 44 communities. After the economic problems of 1930, milk production was halted in 1932) 

The area was also on the trade route from Zurich to Luzern, and the bridge at Sins at the end of our hike, originally built in 1640 and the first wooden bridge across the Reuss River, was the customs and toll station for goods crossing into this canton. 

It was an easy and interesting walk and a nice way to spend the afternoon.

The architecture for this beautiful mid-19th century house is called "Jigsaw Architecture"

Lorze River near Lake Zug. This was the location of the large milk production plant in the early 1900's

 

As we passed beneath the bridge, we were surprised by this beautiful mural painting of the workers in the milk factory

The paper mill in Cham. Built in 1657, it was in operation till recently, shut down in 2016

!!!  On the Lorze River. I've not seen anything like this before

The old smithy. Built in early 17th Century for production of nails, the city lords forced the owner to also produce weapons (two swords and six halberds per year)

I always love the cormorants drying their wings

At this location in Hagendorn stood the large weaving and spinning mill. It was only in operation for 25 years before burning to to the ground in 1888.  300,000 SFr. had just been invested in new equipment. Over 300 workers lost their jobs overnight.

These were the workers' housing at the time of the spinning and weaving factory, 21 people in 3 apartments per house at the time. Now renovated into very expensive rentals.

This old Roman water wheel was discovered here in 1944 buried under the fill from years of washed up dirt.

In Hagendorn is this small privately-owned tile factory (built 1860-1870). 50,000 clay tiles were baked in the oven in the front building in each firing, up to 1000 degrees over many days. 

From the tile factory we saw this village of St.Wolfgang up on the hill (Mount Rigi in the background) and made a short-notice choice to head up there. 

Good decision, as we had a very nice view of the valley from this ridge

The Gothic church in St.Wolfgang, built approx. 1475

St.Wolfgang

We lucked out with some nice weather and these views

 

Below at the very back is the tile factory

Zoomed view of the tile factory and the owner's house, mid 19th Century

 

On the last stretch of the Industry Path toward Sins

We had sunshine locally, whereas the clouds over the mountains were very dark

The wooden bridge over the Reuss River in Sins. First wooden bridge to be constructed over this river in 1640. Since then several reconstructions have taken place. 

Wooden covered bridge over the River Reuss in Sins

The last few meters of our ca. 12-km hike, across the wooden bridge over the Reuss River

 

Some very nice areas to hike near our home as well. It doesn't always have to be in the mountains, but it has to have some interesting aspects. It was a perfect hike for an afternoon where we were unsure of the weather. 

Heading home from Rotkreuz back to Zug by train. Not a day to be in the mountains