The Uri canton is a vertical maze of granite and ice. You are in the land of the Gotthard where the mountains form a massive wall between the north and the south. The road is a masterpiece of engineering with hairpins like the Tremola that climb through narrow gorges. It feels heroic and raw like the legend of William Tell who was born in the village of Altdorf.
You find yourself at the foot of the high passes where the winds are strong and the peaks are covered in snow year round. Villages are built of heavy stone to withstand the mountain weather and the history of the transit trade is visible in every old tavern. The Reuss river rushes through the valley floor carrying the meltwater from the high glaciers like the Rhone Glacier.
The atmosphere is one of high altitude drama. You see the deep blue Urnersee meeting the steep mountain walls and the high alpine meadows filled with wild flowers. The vibe is adventurous with a focus on the journey and the heights. Uri is the gateway to the south and provides you an intense experience of the true power of the Alps.
Uri (canton) highlights
- Gotthard Pass Tremola Drive the historic serpentine road paved with granite cobbles that winds up the mountain. It is a masterpiece of early engineering and offers incredible photo spots.
- Schöllenen Gorge and Devils Bridge Witness the raw power of the Reuss river crashing through a narrow granite canyon. The legend says the bridge was built with the help of the devil himself.
- **Tell Monument Altdorf ** Visit the village center where the legendary marksman William Tell shot the apple from his son's head. The massive bronze statue is a symbol of Swiss bravery.
- Isenthal Hidden Valley Navigate a narrow road carved into the cliff to reach this isolated mountain village. It is a gateway to wild hiking trails and traditional alpine farms.
- Furka Pass Steam Railway See the historic steam engines puffing through the high mountains past the Rhone glacier. The pass road itself was a filming location for classic spy movies.
- Bauen Mediterranean Village Discover this tiny lakeside hamlet that can only be reached by boat or a tunnel road. Its protected location allows palm trees to grow beneath the snow peaks.
- Klausen Pass Drive the high road connecting Uri with Glarus through massive limestone walls and high meadows. It is famous for its historic car races and wild scenery.
- Maderanertal Granite Peaks Explore this rugged side valley known for its crystal hunters and sheer rock faces. A small cable car takes you to the sunny terrace of Bristen.
- Andermatt Stop in this historic military town that has transformed into a high end mountain resort. It sits at the crossroads of three major alpine passes.
- Lake Uri Windsurfing Watch the colorful sails on the deep blue water where the thermal winds are among the strongest in Europe. The surrounding cliffs drop vertically into the lake.
The local Four
History of Uri (canton)
Uri is the gatekeeper of the Alps and the guardian of the Gotthard Pass. Since the 12th century the people here have controlled the most important transit route in Europe. The building of the Devils Bridge over the roaring Reuss river was such a feat of engineering that local legends claimed the residents had to trick the devil himself into helping them. This strategic power made the people of Uri some of the most influential and wealthy peasants in history as they collected tolls from merchants.
This is the legendary home of William Tell the hero whose refusal to bow to a tyrant hat sparked the revolution of 1291. While historians argue about his existence the spirit of Tell is baked into the very rocks of the canton. The history of the region is one of constant battle against the elements including avalanches floods and the brutal Fohn wind. This created a society of people who were famously tough pragmatic and suspicious of outside interference.
The modern era was defined by the construction of the world longest railway tunnels through the base of the Gotthard turned the canton into a global engineering marvel. Yet despite the high speed trains rushing beneath the earth the surface of the land remains remarkably wild. The Ticino canton is a story about people who have spent a thousand years standing at the crossroads of a continent ensuring the path remained open.