Alpine Panorama Trail – Missing kilometers

The gap in the plan

This stage and a half is missing, so only a few brief remarks on the details that are otherwise might be forgotten.

This is what the plan looks like according to the travelguide:

Unterägeri - Zug

Zug - Lucerne

So, all in all, a pretty stupid stage layout. One stage a little over 3 hours, the following over 7 hours. No idea what the trail designers were thinking.

 

From Unterägeri to Zug

A very scenic stage in the heart of the Zugerland. Across high moors, past countless cherry trees (Zuger Kirschtorte!), the vantage point at the Brunegg alpine restaurant and the pretty chapel of St. Verena, you arrive in Zug.

More detailed information is provided in the travelguide.

There are plenty of routes from Unterägeri to Zug. Many lead over the Zugerberg, focusing primarily on the view of Lake Zug. The hiking route resists this temptation - and rightly so.

Because the view is one thing, and this is not denied on this route, even if it does not follow you at every turn. But the other thing is the natural and scenic attractions. This stage is not lacking in them. Neither at the beginning, where high moor areas alternate with lovely meadow landscapes, nor at the high point at Alprestaurant Brunegg, where after a fresh drink in the cozy garden the view expands beyond Zug and Baar far into the Züribiet (Zurich Area).

And certainly not during the slow descent to Zug, where the famous Zug cherries blossom in spring. These cherries are part of the Zuger Kirschtorte (Cherry Cake), which has spread the name of Zug around the world more than many a billion-dollar company with its headquarters here. Anyone who has hiked this stage knows that Zug is more than a financial metropolis with low taxes and high residential rents.

Zug also has a hinterland - the Zugerland. And this hinterland has remained as rural and unspoilt as other regions at the foothills of the Alps. A hinterland that is worth hiking.

So it may well be that I have missed out on something here. Let's see, it can be made up for when the opportunity arises ...

 

From Zug to Lucerne

As mentioned, according to the plan, this stage would have been the longest of the entire trail. After all, I know the trail from Zug to Immensee; of which about 90% corresponds to the Panoramaweg.

I remember well this wonderfully sunny Sunday in June 2017. Lake Zug shimmering in all shades of blue, a gentle breeze around the nose, Sunday silence in the villages, simply a pleasure.

However, I also remember that on the whole path along the lake not a single restaurant was open. Yes, there was one, which I entered with thirst and tired legs, but was already at the entrance rather gruffly turned away. "Closed party!"

Do I need to add anything about the overall hospitality of the local gastronomy? The most important thing is to get support from the federal government in case of problems...

 

 

Matching Song: no stage - no song

But here the Alpine Panorama Trail continues ... to Lucerne