Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 6, Amden to Siebnen
Length: 18 miles (29 km);
Hiking time: 7 h;
Ascent: 850 ft (260 m);
Descent: 2,300 ft (700 m);
Fitness Level: Difficult.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 6, #1 – Amden to Siebnen. The tail of two hikes. It’s not that this is a long hike that makes it difficult, it’s that you need two different mindsets to complete it. Amden through Ziegelbrücke is a great hike by itself. Under normal circumstances, I’d make this 7km, 500m descent with lunch and swimming in Weesen my hike and call it a great day.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 6, #2 – Amden to Siebnen. Amden starts out high in the mountain meadows with sweeping vistas of the Walensee (Lake Walen). The final segment of Eastern Switzerland is both exciting and exhilarating. The highlight in my opinion is the town of Weesen with its country feel and lakefront access.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 6, #3 – Amden to Siebnen. While in Weesen, have a meal or picnic because the next 20 km is a challenge in and of itself. I went into the lake and really enjoyed taking extra time at this corner of Switzerland.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 6, #4 – Amden to Siebnen. While in Weesen, have a meal or picnic because the next 20 km is a challenge in and of itself. Walk along the lakeshore and enjoy your time in town.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 6, #5 – Amden to Siebnen. The trail from Weesen to Ziegelbrücke is paved and parallels the Linth Canal. This part is a breeze. The Glarus Alps are to the left (South) and there is virtually no thinking required.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 6, #6 – Amden to Siebnen. Niederurnen and Ziegelbrücke are neighboring towns. Ziegelbrücke is where the main transfer occurs from train to bus on your way up to Amden. These towns are a little less romantic than Amden and Weesen but are more typical of population centers around Switzerland.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 6, #7 – Amden to Siebnen. Gun ranges are a normal part of life on trail. Most of the time, the ranges are closed, as this one was when I walked through. However, I have had to wait or detour around ranges. Near the end of the video, I talk about some of the military requirements of Swiss citizens and the Swiss Guard.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 6, #8 – Amden to Siebnen. This part of the hike feels more like Wyoming and Montana than it does Switzerland. Take a look and comment where in the US this scene is most similar.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 6, #9 – Amden to Siebnen. There are usually plenty of surprises while hiking, in this video I see Alpacas and a 1950 Mustang. Rapperswil Christmas Market 360° video – https://youtu.be/3cI4qQfn0SI
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 6, #10 – Amden to Siebnen. Just when you think you’re entering Siebnen, you don’t. The trail dances along the train tracks and actually passes two active stations in small towns like Schübelbach. I was tired and entering each town gave me hope, only to discover I was not in Siebnen. Eventually, the trail turns away from the train and enters the backside of Siebnen, connecting with the National Route 4, the Route of St. James.