From Brüsti to Gitschenberg via the Gitschital Valley near Lake Uri

Saturday October 2, 2021 -- First hike of October and perhaps the only one for a while? (Massive rains expected again, and snow to low elevations, and cold temperatures...)

We ended up doing a hike we had done once before, but many years ago (August 31, 2016 -- one of my first albums, those photos are HERE). It wasn't our intention to do the same hike, but once we got to the start of our excursion, we could see that the valley we wanted to visit had too much shade.

The start of the hike in Brüsti near Altdorf in the Reuss Valley is accessed by two cable cars which cover an altitude of over 1000 meters. This is the starting point for the 6-hour hike across the Surenen Pass to Engelberg (a hike we've also done, those photos are HERE), a hike into the Gitschital (Gitschi Valley) to the North, and another hike along the mountainside to the South, which we had wanted to do, because it involved riding two more of those farmer's cable cars which we have not yet ridden, and a walk into a remote high valley below the Pass. But once we reached Brüsti we could see that most of the lower valley was in shadow from the steep mountains to the South, so a hike best done earlier in summer. We decided it was time to redo our 2016 Gitschital hike, one that we had enjoyed at the time.

With the exception that we had thick cloud cover and the winds started up by the time we got to the cable car at the end of the hike (any more wind and the owner would not have let us use the cable car!), we had lots of sunshine and enjoyed walking at the base of these Uri mountains as much as we enjoyed it the last time. There were no cows on the alpine pastures this time, but we did see a couple of marmots again, enjoying a final bask in the sun before heading down for their long winter naps. 

To reach the start of our hike we took two cable cars from Attinghausen, which is in the Reuss Valley near Altdorf and across from the Schächental Valley.  

The two cable cars were took: The first little red one holds 6 people, the blue one holds 8. These cable cars take us about 1000m above the valley bottom.. 

On our way up, we saw deer grazing in the pastures. 

Our original plan was to go left to Alp Waldnacht, but we could tell there was a lot of shade further back in the valley, so we decided to redo the hike to Gitschenberg, just over three hours. 

Even though we had a total of almost 600 meters of ascent, the hike was not particularly strenuous. The descent into the Gitschital Valley is steep and in the shade, so wet and slippery, and we had to be careful there. 

It's nice that the cows are still out in some mountain pastures!

This little vacation house is called Sonnenblick, or "View of the sun", which lives up to its name!

Down below is Alp Waldnacht which we had planned to visit, but the rest of the valley (to the right) is very shady, so we decided to stay higher up.

A view down into the Reuss Valley. 

A view up into the Waldnacht Valley. The steep mountains to the South cast a lot of shadow at this time of year, so we will go there sometime in Summer.

Heading up along a section of the Via Alpina Trail (no.1) which passes over the Surenen Pass to Engelberg. 

This interesting passage along a narrow ridge is called Chräienhöreli. Down below in the back is the Waldnacht Valley. Still in shadow. 

Awesome view into the Schächental Valley toward the Klausen Pass (we had considered going there, but were worried there would be too many people going there. There is popular high trail called "Schächentaler Höhenweg" for which the weather today would have been perfect.)

Behind us is the Gitschen Massif and the little farm called Alp Grat where we had a meal last time we did this hike. (The farmers have gone back to valley bottom as of end of September. They are usually up here from June/July to September)

Here is the saddle where we cross into the Gitschital Valley after passing Alp Grat farm. 

Looking down into the Gitschital Valley. Behind that is Lake Uri, an arm of Lake Lucerne. 

Zoomed look at Alp Gitschenberg, where we will take the other cable car down. 

Panorama view of the Gitschital Valley. The descent into the valley is also on the shady side. We had to go carefully as the trail was slippery in places. 

Descending carefully on the shady side of the Gitschital Valley

Superb view of the (Rophäien) massif above Flüelen (there is a popular trail there called "Wildheuweg", or "Wild Hay Trail" which I walked on my own in 2019, the photos are HERE) and Mt. Fronalpstock behind that.

Above us is the peak called "Gitschenhöreli", approx. 2900m at the summit. Behind it is a glacier and an alpine hut where one can spend the night.

Heading down the Gitschital Valley. Instead of walking all the way out of the valley, we are going through the forested area on the left. 

A look at where we descended from Alp Grat on the other side. 

It was a surprise to catch sight of a couple of marmots. They usually head off to their winter hibernation at the end of September. So this is the last time they will be enjoying the sunshine!

Two cute marmots enjoying the last rays of sunshine before their winter sleep

It is so overwhelming to stand below these massive rock formations. 

A final look back at the Gitschital Valley before we head up the hill through the forest. 

Autumn Saffron (Herbstzeitlosen) remind us that winter is coming... 

No, wait, here is a last look into the Gitschital Valley behind us!

And now we get a stunning clear view into the Schächental Valley, all the way back to the Klausen Pass. The plateau at the front is called Haldi, where we have also been often. The hills on the left are also a favourite. 

Ahead of us is Gitschenberg, the cable car which we are going to ride back down on. 

A close-up look of Gitschenberg, the cable car station, and behind that Lake Uri (Urnersee) and the city of Brunnen at the back. 

Pretending to be enjoying the view.... It now quickly got cold and windy with the start of the Föhn winds.

We discovered that there is only one cable car which runs on these cables, and it was currently down in the valley. So first we had to call Mrs. Arnold to operate the cable car. She has to drive there from her home, and then it took at least 10 minutes for the cable car to arrive!

Lucky we got here first! Five people arrived right after us, and three of them had to wait a full 20 minutes till they could ride down (i.e 4 people per trip), meaning that it was 30 minutes before they got to the bottom!!!

It's a steep 900-meter descent to valley bottom, and the cable car is slow. It's a full 10-minute ride! (At the arrow is the base station of the cable car!)

The ride is slow enough you have lots of time to enjoy the view of Lake Uri and the Reuss Delta at Flüelen. 

A lovely view over Altdorf / Schattdorf / Bürglen... i.e. the Reuss Valley area near Flüelen

Down below is the lower cable car station. (The castle is called Schloss A-Pro)

Castle "Schloss A-Pro" is a restaurant

After 20 minutes, the second cable car finally arrives at the bottom with the three other people who waited with us. Good thing there are not very many people who use this cable car! Mrs. Arnold has to wait there also, until everyone is down!

A final photo with the cable car before we catch the bus back to Altdorf

What our hike looks like on Google Earth Satellite Maps. 

Location of this hike, not far from where we live in Zug

This photo was taken from the other side of the valley, when I walked the "Wildheu"Trail. From here you get a good view right into the Gitschital Valley.