At Haus Infanger, opposite the old post office, you can still see the bear paws of the last bear killed in Isenthal in 1820. If you plan to include this glimpse into local history, check access in advance. Themed trails focused on traditional crafts and the Uri dialect, hiking destinations and seasonal mountain activities offer further highlights for your trip.
Mountain scenery and location
Isenthal is a municipality in the canton of Uri, situated on the western side of Lake Uri in a secluded, heavily wooded side valley. The village lies at an altitude of around 780 metres, surrounded by high mountains, where the Isental valley divides into the Grosstal and Kleintal valleys, the latter also known as Chlital. The Isentalerbach flows through the valley; farther downstream, it runs through a narrow gorge on its way to Lake Uri. In 2016, the Isenthal wild hay landscape was named “Landscape of the Year” by the Swiss Foundation for Landscape Conservation.
The landscape is also reflected in the trails’ varied themes. The wetlands at Gitschener Seelein provide a habitat for grass frogs, common toads and dragonflies. If you are interested in how nature works, this offers a tangible connection to the local wildlife; however, it does not guarantee that you will spot any particular animals.
Themed trails: traditional crafts, dialect and legends
The Handwärchweg follows the old country road through Isenthal. At six stations, you can learn about and try traditional crafts, including sawing, knot-tying and making shingles. The Bärenweg also has six stations. The Urner Mundartweg offers a different cultural focus: it leads to 13 stones engraved with pairs of words in the Uri dialect. The word pairs tell of typical place names, traditional activities and local customs. The trails therefore differ chiefly in whether you are interested in hands-on traditional crafts, language or a themed walk.
The Urner Sagenweg is a circular trail: from Isenthal, it leads over the Wanggrat to the Saum and returns to Isenthal via the legends and sculpture trail. The ViaUrschweiz runs from the village into the Grosstal; at various stations, hikers can try traditional crafts. A circular route is also planned for the Gitschenen nature trail. You can reach it by cable car or on foot from St. Jakob. Check local conditions before setting out on a hike.
Alpine pastures and the seasons
In summer, more than 20 alpine pastures around the village are grazed by livestock. Visitors are welcome, and many places serve alpine cheese and other local products; what is available varies during the grazing season. At Musenalp, cheese is made from the milk of its own cows and ten cows from the neighbouring alpine pasture. The Chlital–Musenalp cable car provides access to Musenalp; otherwise, it is only reachable on foot. As the cable car operates seasonally and service depends on the operator, it is advisable to check current operating times in advance.
A recurring event in the annual calendar is the craft market, held every year at the end of September together with the traditional descent from the alpine pastures. If you would like to plan your trip around it, confirm the current date before travelling.
In winter, the sunny Gitschenen plateau is home to a peaceful, family-friendly ski area. There is also a snowshoe trail and a short, challenging cross-country ski trail nearby. The seasonal options differ considerably: in summer, alpine pastures and their products shape the visit, while winter is all about snow sports. Check snow conditions and lift operations before planning winter activities.
Getting there and planning
The village of Isenthal is well served by public transport and makes a good starting point for numerous hikes. Consult current timetables for specific connections. From Isleten, a small settlement at the entrance to the Isental valley that belongs to the neighbouring municipality of Bauen, a narrow, winding road climbs to the village of Isenthal. These location and travel notes can help you tailor your hiking plans and seasonal activities to your stay.
More destinations
Discover more destinations: Gurtnellen, Bauen, Andermatt, FlĂĽelen, Sisikon, Wassen, BĂĽrglen, Erstfeld.
Back to the main travel overview: Uri.
