Chrüzlipass-Attinghausen

Pius and Miriam with Mia (from 01.07.18):

This morning we are up early. It is simply indescribable to wake up in the middle of such a beautiful mountain panorama. From our tent we can watch marmots and a few chamois before Mia chases away all the animals with loud barking.

After breakfast we start our descent along the right side of the valley through the Chrüzlital.
On well marked mountain paths we hike through dwarf shrub vegetation until we reach the Müllersmatt. On this stretch we meet countless other hikers who have spent the night in the Etzlihütte and are now on their way to Sedrun. Everyone asks us in amazement where we came from and where we spent the night.

From the Müllersmatt we have a breathtaking view over the Etzli and Urner valleys to the Lake of Uri. This view is simply magnificent. Moreover, the Etzli stream flows here, which could not be clearer. We fill up our water supplies, cross the brook and, after a short counter-climb, reach the Etzli hut.

This SAC hut is a good place to stay overnight. Dogs are welcome here and you can enjoy culinary delights. There is even the opportunity to take a bath in the Alpine herb wooden tub. We treat ourselves to a piece of fruit cake and something cold to drink. It's already very hot again and sweat is dripping from our foreheads.

After this well-deserved snack, the descent follows on an old mule track along the Etzlibach to Bristen. The path is long, steep and very strenuous. The slippery ground and the big stone steps require our full concentration. Before reaching Hinteretzliboden we cross the Etzlibach again and walk along a narrow road. Here is partly open pasture land and the cows stand in the middle of the road. Therefore dogs have to be kept on a leash on this section.

At Sagebrüggli we turn left into the forest. The following section to Hinterried is again extremely steep. When we reach the bottom, we change to an asphalted road and continue walking until shortly before Bristen. At a fork in the road we take the right fork and walk on a tarred and later on a gravel road, sometimes very steeply to Amsteg. On the terrace of the Hotel Stern and Post we have an ice cream. This hotel belongs to the Swiss Historic Hotels and looks like a museum inside. Just because of the decoration alone is worth a visit.

From Amsteg we walk on a flat gravel path along the Reuss river. On the other side of the river there is a lot of traffic because of the Gotthard transit line. Since we are exposed to the blazing sun, it is unbearably hot. Luckily a cool valley wind blows from time to time. Shortly before Erstfeld a detour leads us over an old military bridge and we cross the Reuss. Now the gravel path runs directly along the main road. As it is almost too hot to walk, especially for Mia, we decide to have some dinner in Erstfeld and continue our walk later. In the restaurant Hirschen we order a pizza and watch the end of the World Cup soccer game Spain against Russia. At 19.15 hrs. we set off again with full stomachs.

Between Attinghausen and Seedorf, after a long search, we finally find a place to sleep directly on the path at 21.00 hrs. We don't put up the tent, but only position our mats between two trees. When we lie down, a hedgehog in the bushes next door is making trouble and keeps Mia on her toes. Fortunately, he disappears after a short time in the darkness so that we can sleep in peace.

Today we hiked about 27 km. The descent from the Chrüzlipass to Amsteg was quite exhausting with 2'050 meters altitude difference. Nevertheless, we all agree that the impressive mountain stage behind us is one of the most beautiful of the entire Graubünden St. James' Way.