Isleten - Scheidegg
I did this hike on the 7th of March, 2025. I was in this valley the year before, hiking from Isenthal to Alpeler, and really liked it, so I had been thinking about returning. I wanted to hike up over Scheidegg and although early in the season, it looked almost snow free on the maps, so I decided to give it a go.
Full route: Swisstopo
After a train ride from Zürich to Altdorf and a bus to Isleten, I started the hike. Although it was a cold morning, the weather was great with sun and blue skies. As I made my way up from Isleten, I had really great views over Vierwaldstättersee and the surrounding mountains.
The first part of the hike went through forest, until I reached the beginning of the valley, and got the first views of Isenthal and mountains behind. I walked down to Isenthal and crossed over on the other side, starting the ascent up to Scheidegg.
It was early spring, but there was still quite some flowers coming up from the ground already. The hiking path was for the first part of a gravel road and then turned into a wider hiking trail.
The higher up I came, the more snow appeared, and through some shorter sections, it took me some time to cross, although it wasn’t too bad. The hiking trail over Scheidegg is more narrow and uneven, and at one place you have to climb a small ladder.
Finally reaching the top, I was rewarded with amazing views to the surrounding snow covered mountains. The colorful vegetation made for some really nice scenery, and I took a long lunch break up here and enjoyed the views.
After my lunch break, I continued the hike over Schweidegg. It was a really nice trail, offereing great views into the side valleys from Isenthal and the mountain peaks around.
I came down on the northern side of Scheidegg, and there was quite some snow on the trail here, but it wasn’t too difficult. Down in the valley again, I made my way on the hiking trail towards the cable car at St. Jakob. You hike a bit above the valley floor, so you still have a good overview of the entire valley.
On the last part of the hike, you walk along the river, which is a nice change and ending to the hike. The path here is easy and flat, and there are many places to stop along the way. I had a bit extra time before the bus came, so I hiked up a gravel road for a short while, before returning back down.
At the St. Jakob cable car, I took the bus back to Altdorf, from where I caught a train back to Zürich.
