A 14-stop tour and a 15-stop themed trail offer different ways to explore Göschenen. The Gotthard Tunnel Village highlights the history of the area, while the Water Trail follows the Göschenerreuss through themes relating to water and landscape. Alpine hikes in the Göscheneralptal provide another focus.
Water Trail and Mountain Scenery
The Water Trail runs from Göschenen via Lauenen, Bonen and Gwüest to the dam. Its 15 stops cover water, landscape, species and geology. At five picnic spots, children can explore nature through play.
The Göscheneralptal is equipped with trails for alpine hikes. The municipality of Göschenen is home to five Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) mountain huts and one bivouac. This adds a dedicated focus for travelers interested in alpine hiking to the themed trail.
Gotthard Tunnel Village Tour
The Gotthard Tunnel Village Tour in Göschenen takes visitors to 14 stops. Free booklets and brochures available at Göschenen station and by the village square accompany the self-guided tour. Information is available in German, Italian and English.
The Visierstollen is right next to the station and can be visited free of charge. It is part of the tour; a short audio show vividly recreates a blast. Check current access arrangements before your visit.
Structures and Traces of History
In the old village center, the Göschenen Zoll Bridge crosses the Göschener Reuss beneath an arch dating from 1556. Uri’s customs post stood by the bridge until the 17th century. Its roadway is still paved with Reuss river stones, a surface typical of the Gotthard pack-animal route.
The present-day parish church of the Assumption of Mary was consecrated on September 16, 1900, by Johannes Fidelis Battaglia, Bishop of Chur. It has three naves and is built in the Romanesque style; the plans were drawn up by St. Gallen architect August Hardegger. The Göschenen power plant houses a permanent exhibition by Louis Lussmann featuring figures from the legends of Uri, complemented by a changing exhibition of works. Three-nave means that the interior is divided into a central nave and two side aisles.
Landscape and Getting There
The village of Göschenen lies in the upper Reuss Valley. The municipality also includes the hamlets of Abfrutt, Wiggen and Gwüest in the Göscheneral Valley. The very steep Riental is also part of the municipality; to the east, it is bounded by the mountain range formed by Schijenstock, Bächenstock and Rienzenstock.
The Teufelsstein, weighing more than 200 tonnes, still stands near Göschenen. It was moved 127 meters in 1973 to make way for the highway. If traveling by car, leave the highway at Göschenen. Train travelers should get off at Göschenen station and can reach the tourist destination in a few minutes on foot.
Discover more destinations: Bauen, Unterschächen, Wassen, Seelisberg, Realp, Silenen, Bürglen, Erstfeld
For the main travel overview: Uri.
