Well-travelled

From Central Switzerland out into the world

A cheese from the country of sagas, myths and legends

The roots of Sbrinz AOP go far back to the 16th century, when cheese was gathered in Brienz for transport to Italy by mule. One of these was the cheese that would later become known as Sbrinz based on the Italian name “lo sbrinzo”. In the late Middle Ages, the extra-hard cheese “Sbrinz” was an export hit from Central Switzerland on northern Italian markets. Not least thanks to this cheese, the mule trail across the Grimsel and Gries passes developed into a well-established trade route. Transport routes may have changed, but the cheese is still made in traditional fashion.

Historical

Where muleteers once travelled

For centuries, Sbrinz has been in demand far beyond Switzerland’s borders, so much so that the shortest transit link between Central Switzerland and northern Italy prior to the opening of the Gotthard tunnel, the Sbrinz Route, was named after Sbrinz cheese. Documents shows that already in the 16th century, “formaggio di Sbrinzo – of the best quality” from Central Switzerland was hauled by mule from Central Switzerland over the Brünig, Grimsel and Gries Passes to Italy for the enjoyment of Pope Clemente VIII (1592-1605).

On ViaSbrinz

The historic muleteer route

Anyone travelling the Sbrinz Route today will discover a rough but delightful landscape which also reflects the character of Sbrinz. It is no wonder that hard yet spicy Sbrinz fits in perfectly with both nature and the people between Lucerne and northern Italy. Thus, the Sbrinz Route is not the only link connecting regions and culture across national boundaries – Sbrinz AOP cheese has long served the same purpose...

Alpnachstad – Lungern

Alpnachstad - Alpnach-Dorf - Sarnen - Giswil - Lungern
Walk from the quay at Lake Alpnach or the Alpnachstad train station through Sarneraa Valley up to Lungern. On the way you will discover a number of cultural historic sites as well as the fascinating water landscapes. You can opt to end your hike in either Giswil or Lungern.
Stansstad – Engelberg

Stansstad - Stans - Dallenwil - Wolfenschiessen - Grafenort - Engelberg
As you pass from the delightful shores of Lake Lucerne up to the Engelberg mountain valley, you will discover a number of cultural historic sites such as the town centre of Stans, the monastery retreat of Grafenort and Engelberg Abbey.
Lungern – Meiringen

Lungern - Brünigpass - Meiringen
For centuries, the pack mule trade continued between Central Switzerland and the Bernese Oberland over Brünig Pass, in summer and winter alike. Its low altitude provided an alternative trade route in winter, making it possible to avoid the high mountain passes to northern Italy all the way to Lake Geneva. On precisely this leg, the Sbrinz Route features great landscape and cultural diversity.
Engelberg – Engstlenalp

Engelberg - Unter Trübsee - Ober Trübsee - Jochpass - Engstlenalp
The hike leads past an abundance of flora and fauna up to the Joch Pass in the magnificent mountain world. At the Joch Pass, the cultural area of Central Switzerland merges into the Bernese Oberland. Historic trails pass through cultivated landscapes and natural attractions characterised by the alpine economy: mountain meadows, lakes and towering mountain peaks, above all the snow-capped Mount Titlis.
Engstlenalp – Guttannen / Meiringen - Guttannen

Engstlenalp - Schwarzental - Wiler - Innertkirchen - Unterstock - Guttannen
Hike through the pristine Gental (Gen Valley) to the Wyler settlement with the historic Tännler country inn. The site is at a crossroads for hiking trails to the Joch Pass, the Susten Pass, Mount Hasli and the Hasli Valley. After crossing the valley, the old Grimsel path leads up to traditional Unterstock, which boasts a splendid view of the Hasli Valley. From there you follow the trail to Guttannen, where the muleteers also used to stop.

Meiringen - Wylerli - Riebgarti - Wiler - Unterstock - Guttannen
The route from Meiringen, a former trade centre along the north-south Alpine axis, also offers various possibilities for onward journeys. The selected itinerary offers many nature experiences and fills a daily schedule with wonderful views of the Hasli Valley from different angles. The historic trails take you back to the days when the Hasli Valley was enlivened by countless pack mules.
Guttannen – Obergesteln

Guttannen - Handegg - Grimsel Hospiz - Grimselpass - Obergesteln
This hike over legendary Grimsel Pass on the historic mule track passes by some spectacular buildings from the pack mule trade era. The trail leads through an impressive mountain landscape carved out by the Aare Glacier and used to generate hydropower.
Obergesteln – Riale – Premia

Obergesteln - Landstafel - Griespass - Lago die Morasco - Riale - Ponte/Formazza - Foppiane - Cadarese - Piedilago - Premia
An attractive hike from Obergoms over Gries Pass at an altitude of 2479 metres into Italian Val Formazza/Pomatt. This leg boasts varied alpine scenery and is characterised by the history of the migrant Walsers and their relationship to their former home in Goms. As you hike through the ‘Pomatt’ – as it is called in Walser dialect – or Val Formazza you will discover the unique Walser culture and a breathtaking habitat characterised by nature and water. With so many overwhelming impressions, you may be tempted to forget about hiking!
Domodossola

Premia - (Baceno) - Crego - Verampio - Crodo - Pontemaglia - Montecrestese - Pontetto - Menogno - Masera (Oira - Crevoladossola) - Domodossola
A hike on trails from cultural epochs where history is so close you can touch it, like the water from the Toce River. A wild romantic cultural landscape, marked by the work of stonemasons, leads out of the Antigorio Valley. Here, there is much worth seeing and marvelling at, and many unknown things to discover.

The Säumerfest

The kick-off for the seven-day muleteer tour

Every year, the venue of the Säumerfest (muleteer festival) alternates between Stansstad and Sarnen. In each case, the high point is when the mule baggage train with over 20 pack mules and muleteers and some 50 hikers sets out on its seven-day trip to Domodossola. With its “ancient” atmosphere, the Säumerfest in Stansstad takes thousands of visitors back to the good old days. The multifarious muleteer caravan, the age-old handicrafts, the traditional festivities, the lively folk music and of course the impressive pack mules all help us relive the past.

We look forward to seeing you with your entire family and wish you all an unforgettable, impressive day in the company of the muleteers.

Sbrinz-Route.ch

Our home area

The centre of Switzerland

In the beginning was Central Switzerland. This is where Switzerland originated, when the inhabitants of the cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwald formed the Swiss Confederation on the mountain meadow of Rütli. The area’s enchanting landscapes captivate thanks to their rich history. Nestled in alpine valleys, it is the home of our unique cheese – a region just as striking and full of character as Sbrinz!