Weekend Trips: Weg der Schweiz

A weekend trip with a little history lesson, what could be better! The Weg der Schweiz is a wonderful Ausflug especially if you’re preparing for your Swiss citizenship journey. Not only is it gorgeous, but you can actually walk through Swiss history. And honestly, what better way to prepare for becoming Swiss than getting your shoes dirty while learning where Switzerland began?

Weg der Schweiz

The 35-kilometer long Weg der Schweiz was created as a joint project by all cantons in Switzerland on the occasion of the 700-Year Anniversary of the Confederation (1291 - 1991). The path begins on Rütli Mountain, the birth place of the Confederation, leads around Lake Urn and ends in Brunnen at Platz der Auslandschweizer. Although it would be ambitious to complete the whole route over a weekend you can also divide up the route into separate sections. This article will outline the first section from Rütli to Bauen, but information on all other sections can be found here.

Walking Through Swiss history

On the Weg der Schweiz, you walk through the landscape associated with William Tell. Along the way, you encounter historical landmarks, stories and legendary Swiss heroes, while discovering different images and interpretations of what Switzerland means.

But the Weg der Schweiz is more than a beautiful hike around Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee). The landscape itself tells the story of Switzerland: its mountains, lakes, communities and cantons reflect the diversity of the country and its identity.

For anyone preparing for a Swiss passport, it is a wonderful way to bring some of the topics you may encounter in your citizenship journey to life.  And perhaps most importantly, you get to experience something that no textbook can teach: Switzerland is not just a country you learn about it is a place you experience.

Weg der Schweiz Part 1: Rütli → Bauen

There are a couple different ways to get to Rütli from Basel. You can either take a train to Luzern or Brunnen and then the last leg of the trip is a lovely boat ride to Rütli. This is where the trail begins. The overall journey from Basel takes about 3 hours.

Rütli

Your first stop is a very interesting one. Here are four things you should know about the Rütli:

1. Swiss Confederation, 1291

Rütli is traditionally regarded as the place where the legendary oath of the Swiss Confederation took place in 1291. It is closely connected with the story of the founding of Switzerland. This historical site can only be reached on foot or by boat.

2. Three founding cantons

The story involves Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden the three original cantons traditionally associated with the foundation of the Swiss Confederation. Today, Unterwalden is divided into Obwalden and Nidwalden, both Halbkantone. 

3. Rütli is Switzerland’s 'birthplace'

The meadow became a symbol of Swiss identity and is often called the Geburtsstätte der Schweiz, the birthplace of Switzerland.

4. Learn Along the Way

There is lots of historical information at Rütli, so take your time, look around and take it all in. It is very informative and a quiz awaits you there too. I promise you can learn a lot. 

Now it is time to do what every good Swiss citizenship candidate should occasionally do: Wanderschuhe an. Und los!

The Route

From the Rütli, the path takes you up the mountain and along the Weg der Schweiz. And let me tell you: there are some climbs! But there are also plenty of places to stop, sit on a bench, enjoy the sunshine, take a breath… and admire that ridiculously beautiful Swiss scenery. The Rütli–Bauen section is around 9 km, with approximately 520 metres of ascent. Switzerland Tourism describes it as a short but rather sweaty hike, which I can confirm.

Travelling through wooded hillside with a beautiful view of the lake, up a steep slope (that has handrails for safety), you will arrive at the village of Seelisberg.

Here you can rest or continue on the path to the Grandhotel Sonnenberg. This is truly a splendid place to stop for a rest but if you wish to have a meal, best to make reservations ahead of time. The trail then leads into a forest up to Marienhöhe, with its impressive bird’s-eye view of the Rütli Meadow.

From here you continue past two lakes until you reach Beroldingen Castle. You then cross a hillside with a spectacular view and the last part of the trail you head down an old mule track, 980 steps to Bauen.

From Bauen, you can take the boat to Flüelen and then the train home. Or you can continue by boat towards Brunnen or Lucerne, and from there take the train back to Basel.

The beauty of this trip is that the journey is part of the experience. Boat. Train. Hiking. History. Lake. Mountains. And maybe a little Swiss citizenship preparation on the side. 

Becoming Swiss

If you want to become Swiss, don’t just learn about Switzerland. Go and experience it! And if you happen to learn a few German words along the way? Even better. Because remember, speaking with confidence is the key. Grammar is totally overrated. 

Heike Reinhart

Heike Reinhart, founder of International German Teacher in Basel, helps international expats to pass any kind of German test so they can secure their permit and live with ease and confidence, feel at home in Switzerland, and successfully navigate their journey towards Swiss citizenship. As a Swiss Citizenship Coach for German Speaking cantons she likes to make the Swiss content easy to remember and a 'living' experience. A German native, passionate traveller and language learner herself, Heike takes a practical, personalized approach that focuses on what really matters: speaking German in real life not drowning in grammar. She is specializes in preparation for fide, Telc, SDS, Goethe and KDE exams and offers cultural insights to help internationals integrate more smoothly into Swiss life and the workplace. 

Over the years she has prepared many clients for the Swiss citizenship exam and Einbürgerung (naturalization) interview in German-speaking cantons in Switzerland. Heike has also written other popular articles for You Belong in Basel: Three Films to Understand Swiss Culture and Swiss Citizenship: Tips for Preparation and Success.

She is also the author of two German-language books: The German Grammar Guide (GGG), and The Helping HandBuch (HHH).

Contact

Website: International German Teacher  

Instagram: @International_german_teacher

Facebook: Heike Reinhart