Via Alpina Étape 6 : Urnerboden - Altdorf

The place

#### Majestic Alps and Nomadic Beekeeping at the Klausenpass The modest Alps are enhanced by mobile beehives at the Klausenpass, offering a soaring panorama over the Schächental valley, followed by a steep descent to the valley floor. The Tell trail winds from Bürglen to Altdorf, where the monument to William Tell, a symbolic homeland of Switzerland, stands. #### Picturesque Crossing of Switzerland's Largest Alpine Pasture Urnerboden is the largest alpine pasture in Switzerland, belonging to the Canton of Uri. The trail follows the Fätschbach stream, crossing pastures up to the waterfall near the forest hut (Waldhüttli). The high valley is so enchanting that the gradual ascent goes almost unnoticed, at least until this hut. Then, after crossing the pass road, a steep climb begins. #### History and Nature along the Klausenpass Road Opened in 1948, the road links Linthal to the Schächental valley, dotted with numerous panoramic viewpoints. Before reaching the summit, the Urnerboden landscape comes into view, with its majestic mountains. #### Bucolic Descent and Encounter with William Tell After the Chlausenchappeli chapel, the descent continues through green pastures, passing below the Klausen-Passhöhe hotel and continuing into the Schächental valley. Further down the pass, the snow-capped peaks of the Clariden and the rocky ridges of the Windgällen come into view. The path climbs slightly again to the Heger Wald forest, from where the Aesch alpine pasture and the Stäuben waterfall can be seen. Further on, the view opens onto the Brunnital valley, a wildlife reserve rich in alpine flora and fauna. #### Bürglen, Cradle of a National Legend The trail levels out along the Schächenbach stream, leading to Bürglen, the legendary birthplace of William Tell. A small museum is dedicated to him in the village. To reach the monument dedicated to this national hero, you must cross residential and commercial areas, as well as the old town of Altdorf. The bronze statue on the town hall square was created between 1882 and 1895 by Richard Kissling. According to Friedrich Schiller's play, this is where the famous apple-shooting scene took place, in which William Tell fires an arrow to hit an apple placed on his son's head, on the orders of Gessler, a Habsburg governor. #### Altdorf: The Epilogue of a Historic Hike This section of the Via Alpina concludes in this historic place, a testament to Swiss heritage and culture.