7806 posts
Hi Lori,
Thanks for your feedback and so glad to know you’ll be coming back in 2021.
For your information, Uri is actually a canton or a region in Central Switzerland that spans the Gotthard Pass to Lake Lucerne, so it’s a pretty big area.I would recommend you to get the Tell Pass if you plan to explore the region as the railpass covers most of the major tourist attractions in Uri and also Lucerne.
Quick overview about Central Switzerland including sightseeing suggestions and hotel search here: http://www.myswissalps.com/centralswitzerland
More details about the Tell Pass here: http://www.myswissalps.com/tellpass
The Berner Oberland region has excellent train connections with Central Switzerland and I’m sure you will have no problems travelling between these regions regardless which location you will choose as your base. You can use the SBB timetable to plan your journeys: http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable
Have fun planning your itinerary and Switzerland looks forward to welcome you back!
Regards,
Anna
826 posts
Hi Lori,
In addition to Anna’s hints, it would help if you told us more about what you are looking for: Would you enjoy hiking, and to what extent? Are you interested in landscapes (natural and towns/villages)? Are you interested in history and/or traditional way of life?
As Anna points out, Uri is a canton with a variety of attractive locations. It is one of the three original states who went into an alliance in 1291, that gradually extended to present-day Switzerland; for that you want to go to Rütli where the legend says the original pact was signed. William Tell, etc.: Monument in Altdorf, chapel along the lake.
Then Uri is the southern side of the St-Gothard pass, an essential link between northern and southern Europe. You could take the train ride to Göschenen and have the famous sight of the church of Wassen, three times due to the rising curves of the railway line. The longest tunnel in the world (57 km) starts in Erstfeld, you could do the impressive ride but by definition in a tunnel there is nothing much to see of this extraordinary piece of civil engineering. Besides the railway line, there is a highway, which unfortunately is the cause of permanent noise, day and night, in the valley up to Göschenen where the highway goes into a tunnel.
For hikes, you could go to the upper valley of Urseren or the side valley, Maderanertal. There could still be snow in higher areas.
Enjoy!
Snowman
83504 posts
Then Uri is the southern side of the St-Gothard pass, an essential link between northern and southern Europe.
Just alerting you to a typo. Canton Uri is of course all north of the Gotthard Pass.
83504 posts
Uri is a Canton – not a place. It has many nice places to see, but is astride a main transport artery so is not the same in character as the Jungfrau region.
However it is a lovely area, famous for being part of the historic cradle of the Swiss Confederation, and the home of William Tell (in Altdorf UR).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canton_of_Uri
http://www.swisscommunity.org/en/explore-switzerland/uri/history-tradition
826 posts
Oh boy! Northern side of course.
83504 posts
Thanks Snowman,
Thank you so much for your reply!
For ease of travel and hotels near the train stations I chose Interlaken for its location, and dear to my hear the amazing and gorgeous towns of Lauterrunnen and Wengen /Murren because they are true mountain villages with less traffic and not so touristy. I go to hike, but I am 64 so I don’t hike steep terrain or long trails. The shorter amazing trailer in the above areas are perfect for me. I am an amateur landscape photographer so being such beauty inspires me immensely. Such a Schynige Platte. First in Grindelwald etc.. Most importantly is the ability to be able to walk to the town and hotel straight from the train with easy access to all the surrounding beauty such as cable cars, etc.
83504 posts
Great info. Thank you so much.
As I likely will stay in Lauterbrunnen and Wengen for most of my trip with a stop in Interlaken first a couple of nights for easy transportation to some favorites, which place would have the easiest and quickest route to some of the most famous landscapes in the region of URI? Trying to see if it is worth adding this to my itinerary or stick with what I have. I LOVED my trip last year and could do so much more in each town I visited. The most stunning scenery, people and transport system in the world. I am hooked. 🙂
I also wanted to add a scenic train ride to my itinerary and wondered which you would recommend for the most stunning landscape photography and views? I heard Brienz as one. Keep in mind I am staying in Interlaken as the most central place in the first 3 days before I head Lauterbrunnen.
I so very much appreciate your help. You are amazing. Lori
826 posts
Dear Lori,
From your description it seems you are forgetting Uri. You may be right if you are in the Interlaken area. Indeed, the Brienz-Rothorn train is spectacular (sometimes they use a steam engine).
The most direct itinerary from Interlaken to Uri is via the Brunig Pass and Lucerne. A bit stressful if you want to do a return trip in one day.
7806 posts
Hi Lori,
Some of my favourite destinations in the Uri region include the Swiss Path hiking trail (http://www.erlebnisregion-mythen.ch/en/experiences/summer/swiss-path/), Arnisee,(http://www.seilbahn-intschi-arnisee.ch/) and Golzernsee (http://www.lsb-golzern.ch/).
You can also visit the official Uri Tourism website to explore what best to see in the region. Unfortunately the website is in German, but you can always use google translate 🙂 Uri Tourismus: http://www.uri.swiss/de/
Regards,
Anna
83504 posts
Not wishing to sound unfair but some of your ideas seem a little confused.
You say that you need to stay in Interlaken ‘first to be well positioned to visit some favourites’ before moving to stay in Lauterbrunnen or Wengen, but Lauterbrunnen is only 20 minutes from Interlaken on the train, and Wengen a further 15 – 20 minutes. Remember Switzerland is a small country and you can get between many places fairly quickly.
Also, you seem to have fix on the Jungfrau area, but at the same time seem to be suggesting you want to try something different as well.
To visit Uri – which is essentially the southern end of the Vierwaldstadtersee (the correct Swiss name for ‘Lake Luzern‘), you are much better off moving to stay at a place on Lake Luzern. Many people would stay in Luzern as it has good transport links, but I would recommend one of the lake front hotels at Brunnen, or along the ‘Axenstrasse’ (famous historic lakeside road) at Sisikon or Fluelen.
I shouldn’t worry about specific ‘scenic’ train rides – nearly every single stretch of railway in Switzerland is scenic.