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Hike to Surenenpass in the Uri Alps

Flüelen, Switzerland

Details

Distance

14 miles

Elevation Gain

6000 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Justin Dong

This is a relatively short day hike in the heart of the Uri Alps with breathtaking views that will show you exactly why the Swiss Alps are so well-regarded worldwide.

The hike begins in the town of Attinghausen, which can easily be reached by public transport, about 1.5 hours from Zürich. You should follow the yellow signs for the Brüsti Seilbahn. Here, you can take the cable car up to Brüsti (the midpoint between Attinghausen and Surenen Pass) for 10 CHF/$10. The cable car will save you over 3000 ft of elevation gain (highly recommended if you are looking for a more moderate hike).

If you choose not to take the cable car, follow the steep foot trail, which will give a whopping 6000 ft of total elevation gain at the end of the hike.

About 30 minutes from the cable car station at Brüsti is Alp Grat, where you can see the vast mountains ahead of you for the first time. From Alp Grat, it is a little under 3 miles/1600 ft of elevation gain to to top of the pass. The trail is well marked and graded, with a few steep sections near the end, but nothing that requires the use of hands.

From Surenen Pass (7500 ft), there are clear views looking back down to Attinghausen as well as the valley ahead. You can take an easy side trip up to Eggenmandli (8030 ft), which is the small mountain directly to your left. Eggenmandli provides impressive views of Surenen Pass and the ridge line that it follows.

Note 1: you can make this a point-to-point hike by continuing onward and descending the well-marked trail down to Engelberg, which is well-connected to the major cities of Switzerland by train. Otherwise, you should turn back here. Be sure to note the timetable for the cable car if you plan to take it back down to Attinghausen, as the last cable car down is around 7pm during the summer months. If you want to catch a sunset, you'll likely be walking down the entire 6000 ft of elevation loss.

Note 2: you can camp along the trail above the treeline and outside of private property. The area past Alp Grat and below Surenen Pass is secluded and some of the best scenery that Switzerland has to offer. There are some tarns to replenish water supply, but the last reliable water source is at Alp Grat during the summer months. The other side of the pass has some pastures that may make it less than ideal to spend a night.

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