Lake Arni (Arnisee) in spring

Switzerland is a landlocked country. It has no access to coastline, but it that doesn’t really matter because it is a home to countless number of lakes which are just as good as any sea. My husband and I visited one of those lakes few weeks ago. We went to Lake Arni (Arnisee), small artificial lake located in the mountains of canton Uri at the altitude of 1370 meters.

Gorgeous Lake Arni (Arnisee)

Lake Arni can be reached by two cable cars from the villages Intschi and Amsteg.  We opted for the Intschi cable car.

Intschi-Arnisee cable car

This cable car ride was definitely one of the most unpleasant experiences I’ve ever had while riding a cable car and I rode quite a lot cable cars. The beginning was smooth. We’ve boarded the cable car and enjoyed the lovely views. Then, just when we were at the highest point above the ground, the strong wind started to blow. Gusts of wind shook poor old cable car and us in it. Right after, it stopped moving. We were stranded high above the ground and boy, it wasn’t pleasant.

Lovely views from the cable car

Luckily, after few minutes the cable car started to move again and we’ve reached the upper cable car station safe and sound. This was definitely the scariest cable car ride we’ve ever taken. Despite we’ve bought return ticket, we decided to rather hike back down to the valley.

Spring in the mountains

From the upper cable car station we followed the signs and walked to Lake Arni. Our plan for the day was to hike one of the trails above the lake, but we forgot to take into an account the fact spring hasn’t yet come to the mountains. Most of the upper hiking trails were still closed. For that reason we only walked the circular trail around the lake and saw the lake Arni from all perspectives. After, we hiked back to the valley – to Intschi village.

Lake Arni with mighty Mt. Bristen in the background

The trail to the valley was lovely. Because it mainly runs through the woods, it didn’t offer much of a view, but we still enjoyed the scenery, murmuring streams and the fresh mountain air. After about an hour of walking downhill, we’ve reached the parking lot by the cable car station where we left our car.

Lovely stream on our hike down to the valley

Lake Arni is gorgeous hidden gem of Central Switzerland well worth the visit. If not for the scary cable car experience, it would be a perfect day out in a gorgeous Alpine setting.

Part of the hiking trail leads you through this lovely narrow path between the pastures

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Expenses: 

• Discounted return ticket Intschi-Arnisee: 9 CHF/person (regular price: 15 CHF/person)

One of the hiking trails by the Lake Arni

How to get to Lake Arni:

• By car:
  At the A2 motorway take the exit Amsteg and follow the signs. Cable car station Amsteg-Arnisee can be found 100m from the motorway exit and cable car station Intschi-Arnisee 4km (cc. 5 min drive).
  Free parking spaces available by the both cable car stations. 
• By public transport:
  
  Cable Car station Amsteg-Arnisee can be reached by foot from the bus stop Amsteg Zeughaus (cc. 8 min walk). Buses to this station can be taken from Erstfeld, Altdorf, Flüelen, Göschenen, Andermatt and Brig.
  Cable Car station Intschi-Arnisee is located directly by the station. Buses to this station can be taken from Amsteg, Erstfeld, Altdorf, Flüelen, Göschenen, Andermatt and Brig. 

Lake Arni