Seewlisee

Seewlisee is a mountain lake in the municipality of Silenen, canton of Uri, in central Switzerland. It sits at 2,028 m above sea level, covers about 9 hectares and lies directly beneath the Gross Windgällen, whose rock faces dominate the view across the water. It is one of the best-known day-hike goals around the Maderanertal valley.

Where is Seewlisee?

The lake is in the Uri Alps at roughly 46.81° N, 8.71° E. Hikes usually begin on the Silenen side, near Bristen and the lower Maderanertal. Don't confuse it with Seelisberg, a village on Lake Uri that lies far lower and has a different character altogether.

How do you get to Seewlisee?

The most common route starts at the upper station of the Silenen–Chilcherbergen cable car. From there the lake is about 5.3 km away, and the walk takes 2–3 hours including short breaks. The path climbs across alpine pastures and gets fairly steep, so wear proper hiking boots and carry enough water.

You can also make it a through-hike. From the lake a trail descends towards Sittlisalp (roughly 7 km and 3 hours), where another cable car takes you down to the valley. The full outing comes to about 12 km.

What will you see?

• A clear alpine lake framed by high meadows and rocky slopes.
• The Gross Windgällen massif rising behind it, one of the signature peaks of this corner of Uri.
• Views down into the Maderanertal, regarded as one of the wilder valleys of central Switzerland.
• Quiet surroundings, since the lake is far from the big ski resorts.

An alpine farm nearby serves food and offers beds, though you need to book ahead.

Is it part of a long-distance trail?

Yes. Seewlisee is the starting point of stage 12 of the Alpenkranz Luzern, the long circuit around Lucerne. The stage from the lake via Kilcherberg to Golzern covers about 10.6 km and takes around 4 hours. The start is exposed and the path towards Kilcherberge is very steep. Along the way you cross a 48-metre suspension bridge, and the stage ends at the mouth of the Maderanertal.

When should you go?

At over 2,000 m, the hiking season runs from summer to early autumn, and snow patches may linger on the trail earlier in the year. Set off in the morning: afternoon thunderstorms are common in the mountains, and the ascent and return take several hours. Check the cable car timetable before you go, since it shortens both the climb and the descent.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Seewlisee? 2,028 m above sea level, with a surface of about 9 ha.

How long is the walk from the Silenen–Chilcherbergen cable car? About 2–3 hours one way, over roughly 5.3 km.

Can you descend a different way? Yes. A popular option is the descent to Sittlisalp with its cable car, or the Alpenkranz stage towards Golzern.

Is there food and accommodation? A nearby alpine farm offers meals and overnight stays with advance booking.