The best MTB trails around Silenen

The historic A Pro Castle with its distinctive tower and beautiful grounds is a real eye-catcher in Seedorf. A worthwhile short detour on the MTB tour and a beautiful contrast to the alpine landscape around Lake Uri.

At the mouth of the Schächen, the mountain river meets the Urnersee. A beautiful, natural section with a wide view over the water and the surrounding mountains – ideal for a short break on the MTB tour.

Walter-Tresch, Hiking and biking trails, Maderanertal, Balmenegg Maderanertal | A 700-meter long trail of medium difficulty was opened just in time for the 2021 tourism season. The new trail closes the gap in the existing Route 412. This leads from Bristen via Legni to the Hotel Maderanertal and from there down to Alp Gufern and back to Bristen via Niederchäsern, Alp Stössi, Herrenlimi. At the Hotel Maderanertal, former ski World Cup racer Walter Tresch welcomed many dignitaries, former athletes, family members and friends last Friday – including former Federal Councillor Adolf Ogi, Maria Walliser and Bernhard Russi from skiing, multiple world champion Bruno Risi from cycling, Gregor Furrer from Völkl Schweiz AG and Aline Epp, an U17 biker from Bristen. From the municipal authority of Silenen, President Hermann Epp and Vice-President Willy Lussmann were present. Strengthened after a delicious lunch with Älplermagronen, the approximately 30 guests set off on the 700-meter-long trail by bike or as hikers. The hiking and biking trail was realized in cooperation with the Walter Tresch Sportstiftung, the municipality of Silenen, the canton of Uri and with the support of the civil organization Uri, as well as professional construction management. A considerable financial contribution came from the Sportstiftung, with the remaining costs covered by the municipality of Silenen and the canton of Uri. The course of the existing path was not changed, only the curves were adapted. The individual sections of the path were signposted with names from World Cup downhill runs: "Mausefalle", "Ziel-S", "Kanonenrohr". Walter Tresch describes the difficulty level of the hiking and biking trail as "medium". The trail is suitable for all bikers who want to experience a beautiful route in the Maderanertal. Text / Source: Urner Wochenblatt, 145th year, No. 47, Wednesday, June 16, 2021 https://silenen.ch/uploads/pdf/Artikel-UW-v.-16.06.2021.pdf https://silenen.ch/uploads/pdf/Artikel-UZ-v.-14.06.2021.pdf

E-Bike charging station, Hotel Maderanertal, Balmenegg bike-energy charging station LINE L5B - connection for 5 e-bikes. You can easily rent the right charging cable for your e-bike on site. Text / Source: Hotel Maderanertal, Balmenegg, 6475 Bristen https://hotelmaderanertal.jimdofree.com/ladestation-e-bike/

Hotel Maderanertal, Balmenegg, Bristen since 1864 at 1349 m above sea level. The venerable Hotel Maderanertal (Chersolon) in Balmenegg has a eventful history behind it. The hotel " Zum Schweizerischen Alpenclub ", as it was called back then, was built in 1864 by Albin Indergand, hotelier and government councillor from Amsteg, and his wife Rosa, née Burkhardt from Basel. It was in the time when the Anglo-Saxons and the lowlanders discovered the mountains and scrambled up the mountain peaks in droves in their free time. At the request of his Basel mountain friends, who mostly belonged to the recently founded SAC, Albin Indergand named the hotel " Zum Schweizerischen Alpenclub " instead of the originally planned " Zum Balmenwald ", without this creating any dependency or obligation towards the SAC. Soon the house no longer met the demands and the influx of the ever-growing number of guests. In 1869, the so-called Dépendance was built. It was followed by another new building, the Villa. In the following years, the hotel complex in Balmenegg was increasingly expanded. Soon there was a bakery, a skittle alley, and a post office. On a hill above the buildings, a charming little church was built in 1888, where, in addition to the Catholic service, an Anglican service was always held due to the numerous English guests. Text / Source: Hotel Maderanertal, Balmenegg, 6475 Bristen https://hotelmaderanertal.jimdofree.com/

From Vorder Bärchi, the route descends steeply on a cart track. From Unter Bärchi, I had to push my bike in a few places. Still, it's a very worthwhile option for getting to Bauen.

Many pedestrians drive considerately

The hotel was already in hibernation on October 13th.