Hiking from Cantons Aargau to Zug to Zurich where the Lorze River joins the Reuss

Tuesday April 8, 2020 -- So one could say that staying at home (or close to home) means we are surely getting to know the Reuss River well! We have now done three walks in that area in the last couple of weeks.

This time, after another short 20-minute ride in an almost empty train, we started at the village of Mühlau on the Reuss River, in the district called Freiamt in Canton Aargau. Our main goal of this hike was to walk northward along the river to the point at which the Lorze River flows into the Reuss River (appropriately called the "Reuss Spitz"). This is of particular interest to us, as the Lorze River flows past our building and empties into Lake Zug nearby, leaving the lake again only a couple of kilometers further West at Cham, and continuing northwards to join the Reuss. Geopolitically this was also fascinating, as the tip of the triangle formed by the two rivers is still part of Canton Zug, whereas the Reuss forms the border with Canton Aargau to the West, and the Lorze forms the border with Canton Zurich to the East. So in essence, on our 3-hour and ca.12-km walk from Mühlau to Mettmenstetten, we covered ground in three Cantons! 

Plus the landscape is lovely, the villages are pretty (especially Maschwanden, whose tiny church had the largest organ I'd even seen!) and on much of the way you can see into the Alps, although yet again, the air was too hazy. Also of interest are the large nature reserves in that area, which we will return to look at once the marsh grasses have grown higher... In particular, the Maschwanden Allmend (of which the tip is called Rüssspitz) is considered one of the "European Networks of Most Valuable Wildlife Habitats".

From the train station in Mühlau, here is a look over the Reuss Valley. After walking into the village (to the Church) to find something for a picnic lunch, we crossed the river over the Reuss into Canton Zug, and walked North along the far river bank to Rüssspitz, where the Lorze River meets the Reuss River

It's a lovely time of the year which it would be a real shame to miss out on.

The church in Mühlau. Obviously we are going to check out the inside (organ, ceilings, windows!) before heading to the river

The pretty church organ in Mühlau's parish church. They also had the old town clock from 1880 on display in a glass case at the back, but it was too difficult to photograph

A last look back at the village of Mühlau before heading to the Reuss River

Mühlau where we started is in Canton Aargau. Across the river and all the way to the Rüss Spitz through the nature reserve, that is Canton Zug. And once we cross the Lorze River, we were in Canton Zurich

Crossing the Reuss River, which is the Border between Cantons Aargau and Zug

Just a hazy glimpse into the Alps to the South. On a clear day this would have been quite a superlative walk.

Walking North along the dike toward the Rüss Spitz, where the Lorze River joins the Reuss River. It was altogether 3 km from the bridge to the place where the rivers joined

This is a pretty moor landscape and nature reserve called Maschwander Allmend. It belongs to the "European Network of Most Valuable Wildlife Habitats"

Finally reached the point where the Lorze River (on the right) joins the Reuss River (on the left). Of particular interest is that I am still in Canton Zug, whereas the forest on the left is Canton Aargau, and the park on the right is Canton Zurich

Lots of beaver action is evident here. Not sure what their purpose would have been for chewing down this particular large tree!

The first leaves and blossoms in Spring are always the prettiest, with their various whites and greens

We had to walk back the same way we came, as other older trails in this fragile nature reserve were no longer accessible.

Before heading eastward across the Maschwander Allmend, we had our picnic lunch down at the river.

This map gives an indication of where you are allowed to walk in the nature reserve

We love this kind of moor landscape, but in winter they cut down all the marsh grasses. So we plan on coming back sometime when the marsh grasses have grown and are green.

Crossing the Lorze River from Canton Zug into Canton Zurich. There are other nature reserves to discover on this side, a trip for another day.

The small town of Maschwanden offered some very pretty half-timbered homes to look at. Historical documents from 1189 mention the existence of this town.

Across from the church yard is a newer building in old style, an Italian Restaurant which unfortunately is currently closed

The tiny church in Maschwanden (built in 1505) had a very pretty ceiling, and absolutely the largest organ I had ever seen in such a tiny church!

I was so impressed by the size of this organ, that I just  had to add another photo to show the relative size compared to the interior of the church!

The high growth pear trees are just about in full bloom

Always very interesting buildings to look at

Heading eastward, another look down at the village of Maschwanden

Wonderful weather for a leisurely hike through the pastoral landscape in this area close to our home

Final farming community that we passed through before heading to the train station in Mettmenstetten (Hinteruttenberg)

Our 12-km, 3-hour walk from Mühlau across the Maschwander Allmend, to Mettmenstetten, from which it is a 13-minute train ride back to Zug

Another Local Walk near the Reuss River

Thursday April 2nd -- One beautiful Spring day after another, and normally we would be traveling to far corners of the country, but that is no longer an option. And yet we still would like to use the opportunity for a 2-hour walk.

So we did the short trip to the Reuss River again, slightly to the West of here, alone in the train compartment, and just one other person in the bus. Starting in Oberrüti (Canton Aargau) we walked eastward TOWARD the Reuss River, then crossed at the railway bridge into Canton Zug (the Reuss River forms the border between the two Cantons) and continued to Hünenberg where there is a "fortress" (pile of rocks at this point!), a small vineyard chapel under Heritage Protection, and generally some very nice pastoral landscape with lots of pretty old farmhouses. Furthermore, there are several very nice sections where on a clear day you get a spectacular view into the Alps.... but unfortunately not this time for us, as the air has been hazy all week.

The descent from Hünenberg to the railway station at Lake Zug is a section we did of an evening several years ago, with a much better view into the mountains. I've added a couple of photos from that time. 

The bus driver dropped us off at the St.Rupert's Church in Oberrüti (the bus was a train replacement and normally would only have gone to the train station) where we started our 10-km walk

I am always intrigued by the ceilings in the churches we visit, and this one had a particularly pretty ceiling. The interior of this church was light and airy because of its very large windows.

These structures called "Speicher" are mostly found in Canton Bern. The top floor was often used as a small apartment for grandparents, and the bottom for storage. This one was converted to a goat barn

I love the baby cows, especially in Spring. They are happy to be outside, and very curious!

Crows are taking over the world!

Heading South along the Reuss River toward the train bridge (recently we walking along the opposite bank).

When the farmers plough their fields in Spring, there are always lots of these red kites about!

Crossing the Reuss River from Canton Aargau to Canton Zug

Heading up toward Hünenberg, we get a look at a cargo train crossing the river

These high growth trees are just starting to bloom. Won't be long before all the trees are covered in white blossoms

 

Lots of interesting old farm houses

You can just make out the profile of Mount Rigi to the South. Unfortunately the air is very hazy

The sign points the way to the "Fortress", which is just a pile of stones!

We were very surprised to see these trees in full bloom already:  Apricots maybe?

These cows look so funny in someone's back yard!

At the top of the vineyard in Hünenberg is the "Vineyard Chapel" built ca. 1770, and the altar painting is apparently of some importance. The building is under Monument Protection. I thought the organ was adorable, never saw one this small!

View across the vineyards and pasturelands of Canton Zug, from the Vineyard Chapel

 
 

On the last section before descending to Lake Zug, you get a fantastic view of the Alps on a clear day. Today we just barely saw the mountains

Last stretch to Cham on the lake where we have a short train ride back to Zug

Another interesting "Speicher"

Our walk ended up longer than originally planned, almost 10 km in the end!

A couple of days earlier we walked North to South along the Reuss River (on the border between Cantons Aargau and Zug), and this time, we crossed that path, walking from West to East

Back in April of 2014 (almost exactly 6 years ago) we did an evening walk from Hünenberg back to Zug, and at that time had most fantastic air quality and view into the Alps. Here are a couple of photos of that walk:

Walk from Hünenberg to Zug, April 10, 2014

Walk from Hünenberg to Zug, April 10, 2014  (Mount Rigi)

Walk from Hünenberg to Zug, April 10, 2014

Walk from Hünenberg to Zug, April 10, 2014