First Attempt At Snowshoe Hiking

Arnisee is a stunning alpine lake located in the Canton of Uri, and it is the perfect spot for winter outdoor activities. We had been meaning to give schneeschuhlaufen (snowshoe hiking) a go for a while, so we finally decided to try it out at Arnisee back in 2019.

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Arriving at Arnisee

• Via Train or Bus: Take a direct train from Zurich, Bern, or Basel to Erstfeld or Flüelen, then hop on a local bus to the Intschi or Amsteg cable car stations to ascend to the stunning mountain lake. Check schedules and book your tickets via Busbud here.
• Via Flight: Fly into Zurich Airport and take a direct train toward Gotthard (stopping at Erstfeld/Flüelen) to experience this pristine Swiss alpine paradise. To find the best deals on airfare, search and book your flights here.

Getting Around and Staying in Switzerland

• Going Around:
  • Taxis & Private Transfers Secure a reliable, fixed-price ride with professional drivers. Avoid the airport queues by booking in advance. Book your taxi/transfer here.
  • Car Rentals Enjoy the freedom of the open road. Compare the best rates from top brands to find your perfect vehicle here.
  • Public Transport Travel like a local and save money. Skip the station lines by securing your train and bus tickets here.
• Stay Connected: To navigate the city like a local and share your photos in real time, we recommend getting an eSIM. Pick the option that suits your needs:
  • We recommend Airalo for a budget-friendly and basic plan. Get your Airalo eSIM here.
  • Yesim is our top-pick for unlimited data needs. Get your Yesim eSIM here.
• Where to Stay: To make the most of your trip, I recommend booking one of these hotels.

Getting to Arnisee and Renting Equipment

Our adventure began at the Intschi cable car station. We arrived and bought a return ticket for the cable car, which cost 16 CHF. The ride up is incredibly scenic and takes you all the way to the top near Arnisee.

Once we reached the mountain station, we rented our snowshoes for just 12 CHF. The rental process was smooth, making it very easy for us to get right onto the snow.

The Snowshoe Hiking Experience

We spent more than three hours at the top and did a beautiful round trip around the area. Finding our way was simple because we just followed the marked arrows along the trail.

On the day we visited, the weather was extremely gloomy and the visibility was very low. It was also extremely cold, and the lake was almost completely frozen over. Despite all of this, we absolutely loved the experience of snow shoe hiking and enjoyed the foggy view as we walked around the area.

The terrain was relatively easy for a beginner, which made it a fantastic introduction to the activity. After completing our round tour, we returned the rented snowshoes and enjoyed some delicious hot chocolate at the restaurant located at the top before heading back down via the cable car. This was definitely an afternoon well spent.

Final Remarks

Our first ever experience of snow shoeing at Arnisee was extremely fun. We would love to return to the lake some day when the weather isn’t too gloomy just so we can also experience a less frozen version of the lake.

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