Grand Alpine Passes Route: Furka, Grimsel, Susten, and Gotthard

The wooden bridges of Lucerne reflect in the deep blue waters of Lake Lucerne. You walk across the Kapellbrücke where painted panels under the wooden canopy display the city's history. Higher up the slope, the nine watchtowers of the Museggmauer recall the old city defenses. In a sandstone quarry lies the dying Löwendenkmal as a tribute to the fallen Swiss Guard. A lively hustle and bustle prevails on the quays while white paddle steamers sail across the lake.

Engelberg, a mountain village in the Uri Alps, is known for the 3238-meter-high Titlis and the twelfth-century Benediktinerkloster Engelberg. Reach the glacier via the rotating Titlis Rotair cable car; at the top, find the Titlis Cliff Walk, Europe's highest suspension bridge. In the valley, visit the Baroque monastery church with its own cheese dairy or hike the trails around Trübsee.

Meiringen is located in the Haslital near the Aareschlucht, a 1400-meter-long limestone gorge where you walk on a wooden path above the water. The nearby Reichenbachfall is 250 meters high and known as the site of Sherlock Holmes' final battle. In the village, there is a museum about the detective, and a historic cable car from 1899 takes you to the waterfalls. The wide valley is accessible for large motorhomes.

Andermatt is located in the Urseren Valley at a crossroads of eight mountain passes in the Swiss Alps. In the nearby Schöllenenschlucht, the Teufelsbrücke spans the Reuss River. Take the cable car to the summit of the Gemsstock at 2961 meters for a view of hundreds of mountain peaks in Central Switzerland. Hikers and cyclists will find paths here that lead deep into the surrounding valleys.

Locarno exudes a Mediterranean atmosphere on the shores of Lago Maggiore. On Piazza Grande, you can stroll under the historic arcades. A cable car takes you to the fifteenth-century pilgrimage church Madonna del Sasso, high above the city. At Falconeria Locarno, you can see demonstrations with birds of prey. Along the Lungolago di Ascona, you can enjoy a relaxed promenade with views over the water. The lively squares and the shimmering lake invite you to a pleasant stay.

In Lugano you experience a charming mix of alpine grandeur and Mediterranean atmosphere. A cable car takes you to the 925-meter high Monte Brè or Monte San Salvatore, both with expansive views. The Cattedrale di San Lorenzo in the center displays its Renaissance facade. Along the waterfront, you can stroll through Parco Ciani, a green oasis of 63,000 square meters. The lively city offers a relaxed atmosphere for a walk along Lago di Lugano.

The wooden bridges of Lucerne reflect in the deep blue waters of Lake Lucerne. You walk across the Kapellbrücke where painted panels under the wooden canopy display the city's history. Higher up the slope, the nine watchtowers of the Museggmauer recall the old city defenses. In a sandstone quarry lies the dying Löwendenkmal as a tribute to the fallen Swiss Guard. A lively hustle and bustle prevails on the quays while white paddle steamers sail across the lake.