The eastern arm of the ViaGottardo leads from the national border in the Schaffhauser Jura to the edge of the Alps, through a landscape of contrasts. The vibrant economic centre of Switzerland is a natural, urban and transport landscape rolled into one.

The Schaffhauser Randen hills, the riverside landscapes of the Hochrhein, the glacial landscape between the Thur and Rhine rivers, the Albis chain, the moraine area on the Hirzel between the Zürichsee lake, Sihltal valley and Höhronen, the Zugersee lake and the region around the Vierwaldstättersee lake are all landscapes of national importance. Thanks to their wealth of forms, natural diversity and cultural-historic evidence, they are among the areas of eastern Switzerland that are most valuable and worthy of protection.

The cityscapes also belong to the most varied areas it is possible to visit. Anyone escaping the daily hustle and bustle and crossing these with the quiet gaze of a hiker will always discover something new. For the ViaGottardo, they are as characteristic as the scenic aspect. The Greater Zurich area, the cityscape that is one of Switzerland's strongest economic regions, reminds us that that we are travelling on a branch of the Gotthard route, Switzerland's most important economic international transport link.

Stages Places   Arrival / return travel  Rail, bus, boat recommendations 

Length170 km

 Height differenceBargen SH–Küssnacht am Rigi: 3'400 m
Küssnacht am Rigi–Bargen SH: 3'500 m

 RequirementsGrade: easy
Conditions: medium

 SignalizationFor hiking, follow the logo indicated on the yellow signposts. Take a printout of our web map on your hike for safety's sake.