REUSS RIVER
When describing Switzerland, the alps always head the list and yet its rivers, streams, lakes, and beautiful landscapes play an even more important role in making what Switzerland really is. In past Spotlights we have visited a number of lakes as well as a few important rivers. While most of us will readily identify the Rhine, The Rhône, and the Aare as major rivers, we often neglect the fourth longest which flows under one of the world’s most famous bridges. The Reuss River.
Unlike the Rhine & the Rhône Rivers whose birthplace is easily identified, the Reuss River is formed from several smaller rivers & mountain lakes. One major leg, the Gotthardreuss, emerges from the Lago di Lucendro in the canton of Ticino. The Furkareuss is sourced by several creeks and a couple of small mountain lakes. The two major legs join at the village of Hospental which in 2023 was officially named one of the most beautiful Swiss villages.
From there the River Reuss flows north on its journey through the steep Schöllenen Gorge under the famous Teufelsbrücke (Devil’s Bridge), to Göschenen, and it then bypasses Altdorf by about a mile before flowing through the Lake of Lucerne. Altdorf is the capital of the canton of Uri and the place, according to legend , that William Tell shot the apple from his son’s head. His famous statue in the town square is a must-see for all visitors to the area, as is a panoramic lake sightseeing cruise to the City of Lucerne. By the way, the lake is called Vierwaldstättensee in German, and Lac des Quatre-Cantons in French.
The river leaves the lake in the City of Lucerne, the home of the famous historic wooden covered bridge built in 1332 over the River Reuss. It is considered Europe’s oldest bridge featuring beautiful pictorial panels of scenes from Swiss history, and it has been a major destination for tourists from all over the world. The river then heads on to the Chaff Bridge with its small chapel which is located in the middle of the bridge. By the way, the Reuss can boast that it features one of the last remaining needle dams in the world. These are weirs that maintain water levels & the flow of the river.
Leaving Lucerne, the River Reuss flows on to the lovely medieval town of Bremgarten with its famous covered wooden bridge dating back to the 16th century. From there, winding around the town, it continues its journey to merge with the River Aare which will take its waters to the Rhine. This segment of the River Reuss is a great spot to enjoy Kayaking and rubber boat floating. Some portions of the river offer opportunities to surfers.
Checkout the videos & web sites by clicking on the various highlighted links above.
When describing Switzerland, the alps always head the list and yet its rivers, streams, lakes, and beautiful landscapes play an even more important role in making what Switzerland really is. In past Spotlights we have visited a number of lakes as well as a few important rivers. While most of us will readily identify the Rhine, The Rhône, and the Aare as major rivers, we often neglect the fourth longest which flows under one of the world’s most famous bridges. The Reuss River.
Unlike the Rhine & the Rhône Rivers whose birthplace is easily identified, the Reuss River is formed from several smaller rivers & mountain lakes. One major leg, the Gotthardreuss, emerges from the Lago di Lucendro in the canton of Ticino. The Furkareuss is sourced by several creeks and a couple of small mountain lakes. The two major legs join at the village of Hospental which in 2023 was officially named one of the most beautiful Swiss villages.
From there the River Reuss flows north on its journey through the steep Schöllenen Gorge under the famous Teufelsbrücke (Devil’s Bridge), to Göschenen, and it then bypasses Altdorf by about a mile before flowing through the Lake of Lucerne. Altdorf is the capital of the canton of Uri and the place, according to legend , that William Tell shot the apple from his son’s head. His famous statue in the town square is a must-see for all visitors to the area, as is a panoramic lake sightseeing cruise to the City of Lucerne. By the way, the lake is called Vierwaldstättensee in German, and Lac des Quatre-Cantons in French.
The river leaves the lake in the City of Lucerne, the home of the famous historic wooden covered bridge built in 1332 over the River Reuss. It is considered Europe’s oldest bridge featuring beautiful pictorial panels of scenes from Swiss history, and it has been a major destination for tourists from all over the world. The river then heads on to the Chaff Bridge with its small chapel which is located in the middle of the bridge. By the way, the Reuss can boast that it features one of the last remaining needle dams in the world. These are weirs that maintain water levels & the flow of the river.
Leaving Lucerne, the River Reuss flows on to the lovely medieval town of Bremgarten with its famous covered wooden bridge dating back to the 16th century. From there, winding around the town, it continues its journey to merge with the River Aare which will take its waters to the Rhine. This segment of the River Reuss is a great spot to enjoy Kayaking and rubber boat floating. Some portions of the river offer opportunities to surfers.
Checkout the videos & web sites by clicking on the various highlighted links above.
