Rütli

8 Highlights of Rütli

• Rütli is the site of the famous Rütli Oath, which is considered the founding act of Switzerland.
• Known as the “Cradle of Switzerland,” Rütli carries the character of a national monument.
• Every year, on August 1st, Swiss National Day, celebrations take place on Rütli.
• From Rütli, you have an impressive view of Lake Lucerne and the surrounding mountains.
• Rütli is the starting point or destination for many hikes, including the popular route along the “Way of Switzerland,” which highlights the history and culture of Switzerland.
• Rütli is only accessible on foot or by boat, preserving its secluded and unique character.
• You can reach Rütli from Treib via the small red cogwheel train to Seelisberg.
• The area around Lake Lucerne, including Rütli, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch.”

The Rütli Oath

The Rütli is the site of the famous Rütli Oath, regarded as the founding act of Switzerland. It is said that the representatives of the founding cantons Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden took an oath here in 1291, pledging to defend themselves against foreign domination. Thus, the Rütli stands as a symbol of Switzerland's freedom and independence. The Rütli Oath is considered a myth of resistance against oppression. The Rütli meadow belongs to the Swiss Confederation and is protected to preserve its historical significance and natural beauty.

Historical Trail Seelisberg Rütli

You can walk a historical trail with information panels through Treib and Seelisberg. Along the way, you'll learn about the key stations of the journey.

The hike will take you about two hours, but you can combine it with a short boat ride from Rütli to Treib (via Brunnen). This would require around half a day. You can start or end your historical journey at any selected station. At each of the mentioned stations, you’ll receive information, some of it in audio format. This way, your trip to the Rütli becomes a unique experience.

Stages of the Historical Journey

• Boat Station Treib
• House zur Treib
• Valley Station TSB
• Train Car TSB
• Mountain Station TSB
• Train Station Square
• Schibenboden
• Schiller Balcony
• Pavilion Sonnenberg
• Marienhöhe
• Path to Rütli
• Rütli

A wooden hall is the ship station built in 1913. Today, you’ll find the Rütlihaus as a restaurant. There’s also a fire pit with wood and tables.

At Rütli, there’s a public drinking water fountain available. This fountain is open to all visitors and serves as a useful water source for hikers and tourists looking to explore the area.

The barn buildings at Rütli are mainly used for agriculture. The meadows are traditionally used for farming, especially for livestock. These barns are necessary to house the animals and support the agricultural work on the meadows of Rütli. This helps preserve Rütli as part of the cultural landscape while maintaining its historical and symbolic significance.

The care of the Rütli meadow through traditional farming is also part of the efforts to ecologically protect the area and keep its original form intact.

The "Obere Scheune" on the Rütli meadow now includes a bar area for events and a new modern restroom facility for visitors. Here, you can also check out an exhibition on the history of Switzerland, the "Rütlimemo".

Celebrations at Rütli

Every year on August 1st, celebrations are held at Rütli to honor the founding of the Swiss Confederation. On Swiss National Day, prominent Swiss personalities give a political speech at Rütli.

Since 1862, the "Rütlischiessen" has also taken place on the Rütli meadow. This event, which occurs on the Wednesday before Martini in mid-November, commemorates the Rütli Oath as a historical event. This timing might be related to certain sources that identify the Wednesday before Martini in 1307 as the date of the Rütli Oath.

The Rütlischiessen takes place at a distance of 300 meters. For nearly a hundred years, there has also been a pistol shooting event held at a distance of 50 meters.

The Path of Switzerland starts at Rütli

The "Path of Switzerland" is a roughly 35 km long homeland hiking trail. It passes through the cantons of Uri and Schwyz and highlights the history of Switzerland. This trail was established in 1991 to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation. The trail begins right at Rütli, a historical site of the Rütli Oath. It takes you around Lake Uri, an arm of Lake Lucerne, over various stages.

Some details about the Path of Switzerland

• Each section of the trail is dedicated to one of the 26 Swiss cantons. The length of each segment is proportional to the population of the canton in 1991 (5 mm per inhabitant).
• The path winds past forests, meadows, steep rock faces, and picturesque villages. Along the way, you'll enjoy spectacular views of Lake Uri and the surrounding mountains.
• You’ll frequently find grilling spots and playgrounds along the way.
• Information boards along the trail explain the history of Switzerland, the founding of the Confederation, and the significance of each canton.
• The trail is divided into different stages and is suitable for hikers of various fitness levels. Some sections are relatively easy and family-friendly, while others are steeper and more challenging.
• Highlights include the passage through the Axenstrasse, the path past Schillerstein, and the Tellsplatte, another historically significant site in Swiss history.
• The "Path of Switzerland" concludes after about 11:00 hours of hiking in the town of Brunnen. It lies by the shores of Lake Lucerne and has a boat landing stage.

3 easier sections on the Path of Switzerland

For families, especially with children, the flatter and shorter segments of the "Path of Switzerland" are particularly suitable, as they can be easily managed with strollers or younger hikers.

Flüelen to Bauen: This part of the trail is relatively flat. It runs along the lake, making it quite pleasant for families. Along the way, you’ll find numerous picnic spots and nice resting areas by the water.

Seelisberg to Bauen: This stage goes through shady forests and offers many viewpoints with views of Lake Lucerne. The path is well-developed and doesn't have steep climbs, making it ideal for families with young children or older individuals.

Sisikon to Tellsplatte: This section is also relatively flat and leads along the lake. It provides a nice combination of nature and Swiss history, as you'll pass the famous Tellsplatte. This is particularly interesting for kids.

3 more challenging sections on the Path of Switzerland

There are several sections on the "Path of Switzerland" that are considered more demanding. These tougher stages often feature steep climbs or narrow paths. Here are the key segments:

Rütli - Bauen: This section of the trail starts right at Rütli and descends into the village of Bauen along steep forest paths and narrow trails. The hike requires surefootedness, especially in wet weather, as the path can be slippery.

Isleten to Seelisberg: The ascent from Isleten to Seelisberg is one of the most strenuous sections due to significant elevation gain. However, the path offers impressive views of Lake Uri, requiring good baseline fitness.

Tellsplatte to Sisikon: This segment leads over steep paths along the cliffs of Lake Uri and can be particularly challenging for hikers prone to dizziness. While the path offers spectacular views, it requires heightened attention.

Getting to Rütli

Rütli itself isn't directly reachable by car as it’s located in a remote area by Lake Lucerne.

By Car

You can park your car in Brunnen or Flüelen. Both places are easily accessible via the A2 motorway. From Brunnen or Flüelen, you can then switch to a boat to reach Rütli.

By Train

You can easily travel by train to Brunnen or Flüelen. Both towns are connected to the Swiss train network. There are direct connections to these stations from Lucerne or Zurich. From the train station in Brunnen or Flüelen, it's just a short walk to the respective boat station.

By Boat

You will take a boat from the SGV (Swiss Shipping Company Lake Lucerne) to Rütli. The journey offers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

From the boat station in Treib, you can take the funicular to the village of Seelisberg. From there, it’s about an hour's hike to Rütli.

Thus, the best way to reach Rütli is by combining train and boat. This journey enhances the unique experience of this historic site.