ViaSuworow

In autumn 1799, Russian General Suvorov and his army crossed through the Swiss Alps in order to oust the French from the country. The ViaSuworow follows the route of this campaign through breathtaking mountain landscape.

In Suworow's footsteps – the Via Suworow

In autumn 1799, Russian troops under General Suworow crossed the border to Ticino at Ponte Tresa. From there, they moved over Monte Ceneri, through the Leventina, and over the Gotthard Pass to Ursern, and further through the Reuss Valley to Altdorf. The French resistance at Lake Uri and in the Glarus region forced Suworow to take a dramatic detour: over Chinzig Chulm and the Pragel Pass, the retreat finally led through the Sernftal and over the Panixer Pass into the Surselva. From there, the troops left the Three Leagues territory through the Rhine Valley heading to Russia.

Today, numerous memorials recall this eventful time – for example on the Gotthard, in the Schöllenen gorge, or at the Suworow House in Elm. The Muotathal monastery, where the general stayed overnight, is also an impressive testament to this history.

But it is not only the historic traces that make the Via Suworow special: The route leads through wild mountain valleys, over scenic passes, past mountain lakes and rivers – an impressive natural backdrop that can be enjoyed today in a relaxed way. It is hard to imagine under what conditions Suworow’s troops had to cover this path back then – at the onset of winter, under time pressure and enemy fire.