Spiringen lies in the Schächental valley on the route to Klausen Pass. Here, hiking trails and winter sports at Ratzi meet the history of the Dörflihaus Museum. It is also worth looking at the municipality for orientation: it includes the village and other settlements in the area, including the Urnerboden as an exclave.
Village and Trails at Ratzi
The village lies on the right bank of the Schächen, on the southern slope of Gamperstock (2,274 m above sea level) and Sirtenstock (2,300 m above sea level). The hamlet of Witerschwanden is west of the village; the municipality also includes numerous clusters of houses, alpine settlements and isolated farmsteads. Spiringen, the sunny terrace of Ratzi and the Urnerboden serve as starting points for excursions.
The Ratzi ski and hiking area can be reached from the village by cable car in just a few minutes. Hikes begin at the mountain station, leading through the blooming Schächental valley and up to airy peaks. The Schächentaler Höhenweg can also be shortened by taking the Ratzi aerial cableway. One section leads to Heidmanegg along narrow mountain trails, through the varied, open forests near Äbnet and across open, flower-filled alpine pastures. The aerial cableway’s operating hours may change, so check them before setting out.
In winter, Ratzi offers a ski lift, six pistes, a downhill route, two winter hiking trails and a snowshoe route. The seasonal setup may change, so it is worth checking the operator’s latest information. Cycling is another option: the alpine landscapes around Ratzi can be explored by bike. Bike access and suitable conditions depend on the season.
History at the Dörflihaus Museum
Highlights of the permanent historical exhibition include a deed of foundation from 1196 and a necrology from 1290/1515. Documents and objects dating from 1290 to the Second World War offer insights into farming and alpine agriculture, forests and timber, transport and tourism, and the lives of local people and herders. Traditional costumes and arts and crafts are also among the topics.
Images, texts and graphics explore the passage of Russian General Suvorov over the Kinzig Pass in 1799. An Urner legend also tells of a race linked to the historic border dispute between Uri and Glarus. The cultural offerings thus include both concrete historical evidence and a traditional tale.
Urnerboden: Alpine Summer and Nature
The Urnerboden belongs to the municipality of Spiringen as an exclave and is considered the largest alpine cow pasture in Switzerland. It is associated with a long-standing tradition of alpine summer life, including the drive up to the alpine pasture at the start of summer and the “Bodäfahrt” after the Oberstäfel season. These customs give the annual cycle on the alpine pasture its own cultural dimension.
The landscape is also a focus: the moorland and marshlands, waters and springs of the Urnerboden are to be preserved as habitats for rare plant and animal species, as well as plant communities and animal communities. This is a different way of experiencing the region from the high-altitude trail at Ratzi: here, the focus is on conserving habitats, while there it is on hiking through forests and alpine pastures.
Getting There by Bus
Auto AG Uri buses usually run to Spiringen every hour. Services run from Flüelen via Spiringen to Unterschächen or Urigen. During the summer months, around three additional services run over Klausen Pass to Linthal. As timetables and seasonal services may change, check the latest connections before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Isenthal, Wassen, Silenen, Seelisberg, Erstfeld, Attinghausen, Bauen, Unterschächen.
Go to the overview of destinations: Uri.
