Sisikon

Sisikon is a tiny village of about four hundred people in the canton of Uri, on the eastern shore of the Urnersee, the southern arm of Lake Lucerne. It lies on the Axenstrasse, the road cut into the cliffs between Brunnen and Flüelen, and there is not room for much more than a church, a few houses, a small harbour and a strip of lawn by the water.

There is nothing in particular to see, and that is the point. Sheer rock walls drop into clear, deep water, and the Alps rise beyond. If you are driving the Axenstrasse or walking along the lake, stop here, go down to the tidy little lakeside and take in the view. It is at its best on an autumn morning, with the sun behind you and a light mist rising off the water.

Walking

Sisikon is on the Swiss Path (Weg der Schweiz), the waymarked trail around the Urnersee. The section from Sisikon south to Tellsplatte and Tell’s Chapel, where William Tell is said to have leapt ashore from Gessler’s boat, and on to Flüelen, is one of the finest. It runs high above the lake, partly through woods, with steep drops in places. To the north the path continues to Brunnen. See Flüelen for the Tell legend and hiking for more walks.

The path is well made, but it is a mountain path in places, so wear proper shoes. After heavy rain watch for loose stones and slippery rock.

Safety

• The Urnersee is one of the windiest lakes in Switzerland. When the Föhn blows from the south, waves build up within minutes. Watch the orange storm warning lights on the shore: slow flashing means caution, fast flashing means a storm warning, and everyone on the water, swimmers and paddleboarders included, should come back to the shore straight away.
• The water is deep right off the shore and cold even in summer.
• The Axenstrasse runs under steep cliffs and is sometimes closed after rockfalls. If you are driving, check that it is open before you set out.

Getting there

• By train: Sisikon has a small station on the line along the lake between Arth-Goldau and Erstfeld, served by regional trains. From Zurich, change at Zug or Arth-Goldau; the trip takes a little over an hour.
• By boat: in summer the Lake Lucerne boats call at Sisikon on the way between Brunnen and Flüelen.
• By car: on the Axenstrasse from Brunnen or Flüelen.

For fares and regional passes, see tickets and passes.

Around Sisikon

• Flüelen, the Tellsplatte and the land of William Tell.
• Schwyz and Brunnen, at the northern end of the Urnersee.
• Lucerne, by boat along the whole length of the lake.