Waldstätterweg 7th stage Beckenried - Rütli

Beckenried is a wonderful starting point for the last stage of the Waldstätterweg. It is the most versatile and scenically beautiful stage. Up to Risleten we can warm up slowly. Those who want can sit down here briefly, have a drink and enjoy the view over the lake. Through the cool gorge and the damp forest, we now climb about 250 meters in altitude. Especially in spring after the snowmelt, the impressive masses of water falling through the Risleten Gorge make a lasting impression. If we're lucky – most likely in the early morning – we might encounter a chamois here.

Soon we come out of the forest onto a short stretch with a hard surface. On the other side of the lake, above the Schwyz basin, we see the Mythen. Soon we turn left, cross a meadow, and arrive at the hamlet of Volligen, which belongs to Seelisberg. Here, a restaurant with a large terrace invites you to linger. Those who want can eat lunch here.

On the road, we continue our hike towards Seelisberg. We pass under the famous Treib-Seelisberg cable car. At the first sharp right turn, we go straight into the forest. Here the path turns from westwards towards southwards. Our view now sweeps over Lake Uri to Fronalpstock, Rophaien, large and small Windgällen, and Bristenstock.

At the Miten farm you will notice the special cows. They are of the Dexter breed. Small cows that use the steep pasture land gently even in wet weather. Their meat is famous and valued. Here we can also contact the Truttmann family if we want to stay at the youth hostel. This section belongs to the Way of St. James, which is why long-distance hikers often stay at the youth hostel, who complete part of the Way of St. James.

The youth hostel has a unique history. Uri farmers already lived like this in the Middle Ages: together with the cattle under one roof. Today, the youth hostel is the oldest habitable Gadenhaus in the canton.

After Stöck, we soon come back into the primeval forest called Höllwald. On a wide path, we reach the Rütli, the cradle of the Confederation. Here, you can quench your thirst in the Rütlihaus and wait for the next boat – or the one after that, if you feel like taking it easy. Those who haven't had enough yet can immerse themselves in the Rütli myth and enjoy the circular trail around the Rütli as the dessert of the hike.