Discover Wassen: Hotels and Gotthard history

Wassen lies at an altitude of about 930 metres above sea level on the left bank of the Reuss, in the upper Urner Reusstal, at the entrance to the Meiental and in the Uri Alps. The Meienreuss flows into the Reuss at Wassen; below the village lies the reservoir at Pfaffensprung. The river, valley and Alpine setting give the village a distinctive landscape. When looking for a hotel in Wassen, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: would you like to explore the mountain and river landscape, discover historic transport routes, or learn about the Gotthard Railway and church art? This can help you tailor your accommodation search to what interests you most.

Landscape between the Reuss and the Meiental

The cantonal Wassen protection inventory classifies the Meiental landscape, including the stream, as a regional landscape protection area. The Meienreuss and its tributaries are listed as regional natural objects. The parish church of St. Gallus is considered an individual cultural object of national importance, while the Old Mule Track over the Susten Pass is classified as a national historic transport route. The current legally effective status of these classifications as recorded in the inventory dates from 19 August 2025.

The Pfaffensprung Crystal Cave also adds a special feature to the landscape: it is 165 metres long and is considered the second-largest cave in Switzerland. Its entrance can be reached in a 15-minute walk; walking time may vary depending on trail conditions. Check the latest access information before your visit.

Cave and historic routes

The Old Susten Trail is a former mule track that runs from Wassen to the pass summit in the direction of Bern. It is classified both as a main hiking trail and as a national mountain bike route. As route classifications can change, it is worth checking the latest information before setting out. The trail’s former role as a mule track and its current hiking and biking classifications offer different perspectives: it is part of both transport history and active trip planning.

A path follows the Old Susten Trail in the direction of Schanz and continues to the Mariens Grotto. Along the way, there are nine locations featuring thought-provoking scenes. The Schanz Marian Grotto was restored in 2020 and contains a statue in honour of the Virgin Mary. A defensive rampart was built in the early 17th century at the border of the Meiental in the direction of Haslital. The disused Antonini quarry is a unique testament to the heyday of the quarries in Uri. Wassen granite was used, among other things, for a monument to the Filipino freedom fighter José Rizal in Manila.

Church, Gotthard Railway and hydropower

The Church of St. Gallus brings together several historical details. It was consecrated in 1735, and its ceiling paintings depict scenes from the life of Saint Gall. Work on the furnishings of the Baroque church continued until 1742. The consecration, the pictorial programme and the interior decoration therefore belong to different periods in the village’s history.

The Eggwald railway keeper’s house was restored by the SBB in 2019/2020 and converted into a museum that visitors can explore. It offers insights into the building and the daily lives of railway keepers on the Gotthard. The Gottardo Hiking Trail offers views in a wonderfully unspoilt setting and shares information about the important Gotthard Railway through more than 50 information boards and viewing platforms. At the Wassen hydropower plant, the SBB introduces visitors to the world of electricity generation. Together with the power plants in Göschenen AG and Amsteg, it forms the Reuss cascade. The museum, hiking trail and power plant each focus on a different subject: the daily lives of railway keepers, railway history and electricity generation.

During the Alpine pasture season, milk is processed into a range of products at a modern cheese dairy, where visitors can sample them. Production and sampling are seasonal; ask locally in advance whether sampling is currently available. When planning your trip, you can choose the mix of landscape, history, technology and seasonal cheese-making that you would like to shape your stay in Wassen.

Discover more destinations: Bauen, Flüelen, Attinghausen, Hospental, Göschenen, Sisikon, Gurtnellen, Altdorf

See the main travel overview: Uri.