Day trips with kids: The most beautiful outdoor activities in the canton of Uri

Written by Melanie Gath

It may be one of Switzerland’s smaller cantons, but Uri’s hiking trail network is a dream come true for curious explorers. Stretching across a total of 1,500 kilometers, it’s roughly the same distance as traveling from the heart of Switzerland all the way to southern Sweden.

During our shoot for the current spring collection, we spent time in Uri, between crystal-clear mountain lakes, across lush green meadows, and surrounded by towering peaks. So you and your family can experience the beauty of this region for yourselves, we’ve gathered a few tips for special hikes and unforgettable moments. Lace up your boots and let’s go!

Discover the unique Reuss Delta

A place of national importance for nature and landscape conservation, the Reuss Delta in Uri is full of life waiting to be discovered. From fascinating plants to a wide variety of animals, there’s something new to spot at every turn. Now, you can also explore this wild world in a particularly playful way with the digital adventure "Naturdetektive Reussdelta". Along a 3.5 km trail, interactive riddles about local wildlife and habitats await you and your children.

A special highlight for little explorers is the three islands that can only be reached by water or by swimming. Set along Lake Lucerne, this unique spot also offers a playground, volleyball courts, fire pits, a swimming dock, and a lakeside restaurant in Seedorf. It’s one of those places where boredom simply doesn’t exist. There’s always something to explore, climb, splash into, or simply enjoy together as a family.

The Seelisberg History Tour

An open-air exhibition that brings history to life. If you love museums but usually enjoy them on your own, this is a wonderful way to share that passion with the whole family. The adventure begins on the water, with a boat ride from Flüelen or Brunnen to Treib. From there, the journey continues on a funicular railway, climbing up to 800 meters above sea level. At the top, the discovery begins. The themed trail leads all the way to the Rütli, combining learning with playful exploration.

Along the way, you’ll find playgrounds and fire pits, perfect for little breaks and big moments. And all of this unfolds alongside engaging audio stories, short films, and “beautiful views over the lake and surrounding mountains”, just as the Uri Tourism team described it to us.

Animal Riddle Trail Brunnital

On the Uri Tourism website, this trail is listed as just under 9 kilometers, with an estimated duration of around 2 hours and 50 minutes. Yes, 9 kilometers can feel long with kids, depending on their age. But if you’re curious and want to truly explore your surroundings, taking your time is part of the experience. Alongside the animal riddle trail itself, which is already engaging and full of interesting facts, there’s even more to discover for little explorers, animal lovers, and mountain adventurers. Highlights include a cable car ride and a visit to the alpine cheese dairy on the Sittlisalp.

Isenthal Bear Trail

When kids set off on an adventure, they want to experience everything with all their senses. Touching, feeling, and discovering the world up close is a big part of that. This family-friendly trail is designed exactly with that in mind. Along the themed trail, you’ll find sensory stations and hands-on activities focused on the story of the last bear in the Isental. As the Uri Tourism team told us, this hike can also be combined with a boat trip, adding another layer of adventure to the day.

Marble runs, playgrounds, and a climbing park

It’s called “Erlebnisland Brüsti,” a park that truly lives up to its name. You could just as easily call it “Adventure Land” or “Kids in Pure Joy.” Like so many outings in Uri, this one also begins with a cable car ride.

A little fun fact, or maybe adventure trivia: the Canton of Uri has 46 cable cars, making it the most densely connected cable car region in Switzerland.

From Attinghausen, the cable car takes you up to Brüsti. Once you arrive, you’ll see it right away as the kids’ eyes light up. There are six marble runs, several playgrounds, and even a small climbing park, including a zipline. All that exploring is bound to build up an appetite, but that’s covered too. With the mountain inn Brüsti, there is a great spot to stop for a bite.

For curious minds: “Tatort Tell” and “Where is Walterli?”

For many children, and probably most of them, the instinct to explore and investigate comes naturally. Think of all the birthday treasure hunts you’ve experienced. Uri has a wonderful answer to that, or rather two.

Tatort Tell (for children aged 10 and up) is an outdoor detective game where you work together as a family or group of friends to solve a fictional murder case. What makes it especially exciting is the detective backpack you receive in advance, filled with clues and materials for your investigation, along with multimedia elements along the route. Step by step, the story of William Tell unfolds in a way that’s both playful and engaging.

“Where is Walterli?” (for primary school children) is more of a treasure hunt and discovery journey. It follows the story of William Tell’s son and his dog, who have run off and need to be found. The adventure starts at the Altdorf Lehnplatz, right in front of the Uri Theater. From there, “you can explore Altdorf and its surroundings in a playful way” along two different routes, as the Uri Tourism team explained to us.

Splash and play at Lake Golzern

We started our first tip by the water, and we’ll end here by the water too. This time at a slightly smaller lake compared to the well-known Lake Lucerne. The adventure begins with a cable car ride up to the Golzern mountain station, taking you up to 1,400 meters above sea level. From there, it’s about a 20-minute easy walk to reach the lake, according to Uri Tourism. And then, the choice is yours. Jump straight into the cool water, or take your time. There’s plenty of space all around for playing, relaxing, and discovering, along with several fire pits that make the perfect setting for a simple lunch outdoors. A beautiful spot for a calm and easy day out with the whole family.

A big thank you to Uri Tourism for all the inspiring and, above all, family-friendly tips. Across this vast network of hiking trails, with cable cars that take you quickly and easily to beautiful spots in the Uri mountains, and among all the mountain lakes, green meadows, and towering rocks, there is so much to discover. Have fun exploring, from the Owl and the team!