In the hermitage of the great St Nicolas de Flüe
DIDIER HEUMANN, ANDREAS PAPASAVVAS
We divided the course into several sections to make it easier to see. For each section, the maps show the course, the slopes found on the course, and the state of the roads. The courses were drawn on the “Wikilocs” platform. Today, it is no longer necessary to walk around with detailed maps in your pocket or bag. If you have a mobile phone or tablet, you can easily follow routes live.
For this stage, here is the link:
https://fr.wikiloc.com/itineraires-randonnee/de-stans-a-sachseln-par-la-via-jacobi-4-32118185
It is obviously not the case for all pilgrims to be comfortable with reading GPS and routes on a laptop, and there are still many places without an Internet connection. Therefore, you can find a book on Amazon that deals with this course. Click on the title of the book to open Amazon.
If you only want to consult lodging of the stage, go directly to the bottom of the page.
Today, as in days of old, you are preparing to follow in the footsteps of Brother Nicholas, exploring the paths he once traversed, the sacred routes leading from Ranft, where he lived as a hermit, to the eternal rest of his tomb in Sachseln. The fame of this wise hermit, his unwavering piety, were such that monarchs of ancient Europe eagerly sought his enlightened counsel. In the year of our Lord 1470, Pope Paul II granted an indulgence to the sanctuary of Ranft, quickly turning it into a favored pilgrimage site. Despite his illiteracy and withdrawal from the world, but thanks to his subtle art of promoting peace, Brother Klaus remains the unifying soul of the Swiss Confederation. In the year 1481, during the Diet of Stans, where the rural cantons feared the admission of the cities of Fribourg and Soleure into the young Swiss Confederation, he drafted a document, now lost, laying the foundations for a beneficial compromise that preserved peace. Beatified in the year of our Lord 1669, the community of Sachseln erected a church in his honor where he now rests. It was only in the providential year of 1947 that Pope Pius XII canonized the hermit. Since then, Nicholas of Flüe is honored as the universal patron saint of peace, as well as the protector saint of the Swiss Guard within the sacred walls of the Vatican. When you set foot on the blessed ground of Ranft for the first time, you will be struck by the outpouring of devotion and the indescribable charm that permeates this haven of peace and bliss, a true jewel nestled in the valley.
Difficulty level: The elevations to be climbed (+623 meters/-611 meters) are quite significant, skillfully balancing ascents and descents. This is a stage not too arduous, but moderately demanding, across the mountain foothills of central Switzerland. However, a few steep slopes, sometimes exceeding 15%, will punctuate your day, especially at the first light of day, then in the Ranft valley, and at the conclusion of your journey. This route stretches between the half-cantons of Nidwald and Obwald, making up the canton of Unterwald. The initial portions of the journey unfold in gentle undulations, until reaching the steep valley where the Grosse Melchaa River meanders, near Ranft and Flüeli. Subsequently, the road will begin a descent, at first gentle and then steeper, leading you towards Sachseln, by the calm waters of Lake Sarnen.
State of the Via Jacobi: The profile of this stage reveals a predominance of paths over roadways:
- Paved roads: 8.5 km
- Dirt roads: 11.0 km
Sometimes, for reasons of logistics or housing possibilities, these stages mix routes operated on different days, having passed several times on Via Podiensis. From then on, the skies, the rain, or the seasons can vary. But, generally this is not the case, and in fact this does not change the description of the course.
It is very difficult to specify with certainty the incline of the slopes, whatever the system you use.
For those seeking “true elevations” and enthusiasts of genuine altimetric challenges, carefully review the information on mileage at the beginning of the guide.
We have divided the route into several sections, to facilitate visibility. For each section, the maps give the route, the slopes found on the route and the state of Via Jacobi.
Section 1: On the slopes of the Stanserhorn.
Overview of the route’s challenges: a rolling course, with numerous steep sections, both uphill and downhill.
| It is September, a month that stretches out with enchanting gentleness, caressing the minds of schoolchildren on an excursion somewhere towards the majestic Stanserhorn, rising above the picturesque locality of Stans. It seems that in this exquisite part of Switzerland, schools delight in merging with nature, offering their students lessons at the very heart of enchanting landscapes. |
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| The Via Jacobi begins its journey behind the imposing silhouette of the church, rushing like a turbulent stream down a steep alley, a path paved with spirituality. |
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| Its route quickly leads to the modest Knirri chapel, perched at the roadside. This chapel, dedicated to Maria zum Schnee, evokes an ancient legend of a furious avalanche that, in a whimsical surge, spared this patch of land, leaving this haven of peace intact. |
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| On the horizon, beyond Stans, a segment of the majestic Lake Lucerne timidly emerges, bordered by the charming villages of Hergiswil and Stansstad, belonging to the canton of Nidwalden, while further away, Horw emerges near Lucerne. |
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For the avid geographers, a map reveals the complexity of this extraordinary lake, held captive by several cantons, like a natural wonder bewitching to behold.
| The route then crosses the path of the railway, where a modest train clings, ascending towards Stanserhorn, a climb to the heavens aboard an antique engineering jewel. |
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Here, in this postcard-worthy landscape, the peaks stand proudly, the trains climbing with zeal, offering travelers a majestic embrace with the skies. Facing you, the Stanserhorn stands, defying time and space. The small wooden train, timid, dares not climb the skies to the summit. A cable car, like a hand stretched towards infinity, takes over higher up, promising intrepid souls a breathtaking view, given the incessant flow of tourists who, like modern pilgrims, embark at Stans at dawn.
| The road now winds through pastures, rising with infinite delicacy, as if to better embrace the heavens. Occasionally, a majestic home is revealed at a bend in the road, testifying to the harmonious marriage between man and nature. |
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Suddenly, the road inclines, leading towards the place known as Christenmatt, where you are told the Ranft is a five-hour walk away.
| In places, the slopes slightly intensify, driving out all vestiges of civilization. Here, no villages, nor even hamlets, just a few solitary farms, nestled in the heart of verdant meadows, cradling their secrets to the rhythm of the seasons. From this modest hamlet, the road stubbornly continues, rising with infinite grace amidst foliage and rolling hills… |
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| …before yielding to a narrower path, plunging like an arrow into the heart of the forest, then getting lost among the verdant dales |
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To your right stretches Pilatus, a stone giant dominating Lucerne with its lofty majesty, while on the other side of the lake, Rigi stands like an impassive guardian of the sparkling waters. Although your path does not merge into their mysteries, a rack railway, defying the laws of gravity, climbs the slopes of Pilatus with unsuspected audacity, offering travelers a vertiginous dance with the heights. It is a prime spot where tourists from Lucerne flock in droves.
| The path now meanders through meadows, where cattle reign supreme, a living symbol of the symbiosis between man and nature. Modest farms emerge here and there, like jewels scattered across the green mantle, while the lake shimmers below, a dazzling mirror reflecting local grandeur. |
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| In this vast expanse, where the earth blends with the sky, children, like carefree nymphs, frolic joyously, their laughter resonating like a heavenly symphony. A magical harmony emanates from this communion with nature, awakening dormant souls. |
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| Then, like an inspiring muse, the Via Jacobi merges into a wide dirt path, scattering its secrets, like a poet reciting verses in the shade of tall oaks. |
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| Further on, it majestically overlooks the Murmatt farms, embracing the slumbering valleys with its gaze, before plunging onto an asphalt road, like a graceful dancer moving elegantly through the hills. |
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| The road, like a winding serpent, climbs even higher into the wild lands, caressing with its gaze the dark cliffs that jealously guard the secrets of Stanserhorn. |
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Further on, a trail reveals itself, delving delightfully into the meanders of the meadows, announcing an imminent transformation of the landscape.
| You are now at Brunnisboden, where a tortuous path unfolds, evoking a chaotic dance among the groves and clearings, a discordant symphony where each step resonates like a whisper in the forest’s silence. Here, the underbrush, far from the bewitching brilliance of the meadows, loses itself in anonymity, stifled by the monotony of scrawny bushes and wild grasses, while the sun, timid, struggles to penetrate the thickness of the foliage. |
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| The urge grips you, imperious, to flee these soulless vegetal shadows, to find the benevolent clarity of the open skies. |
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Section 2: Between the half-cantons of Unterwalden.
Overview of the Route’s Challenges: A gently undulating course that is not too demanding, featuring a descent into the plains followed by an ascent on the other side towards the hills.
| Up until now, it had become customary to immerse oneself in landscapes often imbued with magic along Swiss trails. However, we are now faced with disillusionment. This reality is not unique to this Camino de Santiago route, as pilgrims cannot expect extraordinary moments at every turn; their journey is fleeting. Thus, the modest path winding through the undergrowth gives way to a wide dirt road stretching far under the canopy. In this setting, the beauty of the forest and the light are absent. |
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| Further on, a vast plain unfolds where a wide road, akin to a forest track, runs along the edge of the woods. |
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| After an endless stretch of underwood, the path leads to Halten, blending into a modest, underdeveloped industrial area. |
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| A narrow road then cuts through this industrial landscape before meeting the cantonal road. |
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| The Via Jacobi then follows this road towards St. Jakob. From this point on, spirits begin to slowly lift. The scenery becomes more pleasing. |
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| Further along, the path crosses St. Jakob, a hamlet within the municipality of Ennetmoos, home to various hamlets in the region with a population of nearly 2,000 souls. Here, you are at the boundary of the half-canton of Nidwald. Shortly after crossing the Melbach, you will enter the half-canton of Obwald. In the village, it is possible to dine or find lodging. Exiting, you cross the Rübibach. |
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| A dirt path briefly follows a stream before delving into the undergrowth, where majestic beech trees stand guard along the way. |
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| Further on, rising from the meadows, stand imposing granite blocks, heralding the arrival at the beautiful and spacious Infängi farm, constructed of dark wood. |
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| Shortly thereafter, the path dives back into the undergrowth to cross the Mehlbach. This river is likely only fed during periods of flood, hinting at remnants of glacial moraines typical of central Switzerland. You will see many examples of this above Lake Brienz in two days.
A canyon, does it not seem a natural and dreamt-up border to separate two cantons? It could almost have served as a barrier to materialize the division between the two half-cantons. For it was only at the beginning of this century that disputes here began to calm. In reality, Unterwald, one of the three founding cantons of the Swiss Confederation, was never a unified legal entity. From its origins, it was divided into two regions: Unterwalden ob dem Wald (above the forest) and Unterwalden nid dem Wald (below the forest). But which forest? It is, in fact, the Kernwald, a vast expanse of beech trees near Kerns, the birthplace of Nicolas de Flüe. This is all the result of an old story of land distribution between peasants and powerful clergy. As you travel through this place, it is hard to tell whether you are walking above or below the forest.
Historically, the voices of the two cantons were combined as half-voices at the Federal Diet. It was only with the Federal Constitution of 1999 that the notion of a half-canton was abandoned, giving Obwald and Nidwald the status of full cantons. Yet, when it comes to cantonal votes, each still counts for only half a voice. Why? It’s said to be a historical matter. Ah, Switzerland! It is said today that the disputes are now behind us, and cooperation has been established. We can only rejoice at this. |
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| A narrow road then alternates between countryside and underbrush. It seems we are venturing into the beeches of the Kernwald. |
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Section 3: Over hill and dale in the Oberwalden countryside.
Overview of the route’s challenges: a nearly constant climb, yet with reasonable slopes.
| Further along, a narrow road winds gracefully through lush meadows and dense woods, swirling elegantly. The haystacks assume shapes akin to pears, sheltered by canopies of branches against the whims of rain. This cleverness, we have not observed elsewhere in our travels. |
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Above your heads, the Stanserhorn majestically presides, like a benevolent guardian over the surrounding lands.
| Shortly thereafter, the road emerges from the woods, revealing from afar the imposing bell tower of Kerns, the main town of this region and the birthplace of the venerable Nicholas of Flüe. |
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| Further on, the road meanders by the modest Maichäppli chapel, located at the roadside. |
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| The Via Jacobi then heads towards the expansive village of Wisserlen, nestled at the heart of agricultural domains. |
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Here, a vibrant tribute is paid to the Braunvieh cattle, which fully deserve this recognition.
| Before reaching the village center, the Via Jacobi makes a turn, rising above the village where contemporary architecture and ancient wooden houses blend harmoniously. |
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| The slope gradually increases, with asphalt soon giving way to dirt at the outskirts of the hamlet of Lätten. |
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| Higher up, the path narrows to cross the peaceful Chemattbach stream, meandering through centuries-old beech and chestnut trees. |
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| And here again, that distinctive green expanse of Swiss meadows, a path wisely winding over gentle hills, dotted here and there with wooden farms. |
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| Then, higher up, the asphalt road appears, where Nicholas of Flüe seems to offer a benevolent greeting from the roadside. |
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| Just a bit higher, at Lauibach, a welcoming, well-stocked rest stop is available to pilgrims. It’s noteworthy that there’s hardly any crowd on the Swiss Way of St. James, a route frequented by travelers from Germany, Austria, Eastern Europe, and, of course, by German-speaking Swiss. |
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| There, the small path crosses the Rüfibach, whose waters gently flow over pebbles. |
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| The Via Jacobi then joins the St Antoni Road, close to a charming picnic spot nestled between beeches and maples. |
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| It runs alongside the picturesque 17th-century Baroque chapel of St Antoni, recently restored, and follows the road bordering the Foribach. In this region, ancient houses rarely feature the typical shingle of Eastern Switzerland; dark and majestic wood seems to be the trademark of these incomparably beautiful homes. |
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| Exiting the village of St Antoni, a trail climbs through the meadows. |
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| At the top of the climb, the path stretches along a spectacular ridge, offering breathtaking views of the mountain range. Among these peaks, some reach nearly 3,000 meters, between the Uri Alps and the Bernese Alps, while below, the imposing town of Kerns is revealed. |
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| Nature once again unfolds in all its splendor. Lower down, Lake Sarnen sparkles, while Sarnen, the capital of the half-canton of Obwalden, is outlined at the end of its shores. |
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| Shortly thereafter, the path reaches the place known as Schärpfli. |
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| The Via Jacobi then follows a short asphalt section near Unteregg. |
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Section 4: On the way to the hermitage of the good Saint Nicolas of Flüe.
Overview of the route’s challenges: quite arduous, particularly within the Ranft valley, where the slopes are exceedingly steep.
| The Via Jacobi gracefully stretches across the sparse farms of Unterregg, presenting a vivid canvas of rural life. The tranquil atmosphere that pervades evokes a deep sense of rootedness in tradition and agricultural toil. |
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| Shortly thereafter, it runs back into meadows, wrapping itself in the verdant hues of the surrounding nature. Here, it harmoniously blends into the landscape, like an emerald ribbon unfurled by the benevolent hands of nature. |
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| Around the bend of a small plateau, the path unfolds with natural elegance through the rolling meadows. The view of Lake Sarnen below enchants wandering souls, offering a vision both majestic and soothing, like a masterpiece painting coming to life under nature’s brush. |
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Looking back, the Stanserhorn, like a slumbering giant, silently watches over the distant lands of Stans. Its imposing profile gracefully silhouetted against the horizon, like a vigilant guardian protecting the mountain’s secrets.
| Shortly after, your path crosses a modest stream at the entrance to Bethany, a place rich in history and spirituality. Nestled in the hills stands a convent of Dominican sisters, a testament to timeless faith and boundless devotion. Here, in this sanctuary of peace, echo the lives dedicated to God and service to others. In this blessed place, hospitality and restoration are offered to pilgrims finding refuge under the watchful care of a benevolent Providence. |
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| Further on, the road leads its travelers to the picturesque village of St. Niklausen, where history blends harmoniously with the surrounding Alpine landscape. Each step resonates like a symphony of ancient times, where whispers of the past mingle with the mountain songs. |
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| But beware, wayward traveler, for the signs along the route are as capricious as the stars in the sky. You must then look up to the chapel perched atop, a symbol of faith and devotion. There, between heaven and earth, unfolds the destiny of those who dare to climb the steep slopes of spirituality. Ascending towards the chapel, the imposing silhouette of the Grand Hotel of Flüeli looms on the horizon, like a large candy nestled in the valley’s embrace. |
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| The site of the St Niklausen chapel is magnificent. Dedicated to St Nicholas of Myra, the chapel was built around 1350 and thus has no connection to the local Nicholas, Nicholas of Flüe. It houses Gothic murals in the choir, repeatedly covered in plaster and recently uncovered. The chapel was renovated in the 17th century, receiving a distinctly Baroque overhaul, before being restored again at the end of the last century. |
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It’s said that directions here are poorly indicated and confusing. We’re here to help. You must reach a small cross at the roadside below. To do this, you must descend a steep path through the underbrush or across the meadows.
Upon arriving near the cross, by magic and fortune, you rediscover the markers of Via Jacobi 4. Phew!
| Beyond the cross, a small path descends towards a wooded area and then into the meadows in a narrow valley. The slopes in the valley are steep, often at more than a 25% incline. The path transforms into a symphony of green and blue, gracefully descending towards enchanting valleys. There, between shadow and light, plays the eternal ballet of nature, a mesmerizing dance where each movement tells a story. |
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| And at the heart of this enchanted dale, the spirit of Brother Nicholas silently watches over, weaving the invisible threads of past and present. Every gust of wind, every rustle of grass tells his story, a timeless legend etched into the memories of the earth. |
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| The chapel of St Ulrich, like a jewel forgotten by time, stands proudly in the valley, guarding the secrets of history. According to legend, the Romanesque chapel of the 12th century was erected where St Ulrich is said to have made a spring gush forth to quench his thirst. The frescoes depicting the Old Testament and the Last Judgment are faded but remarkable. |
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| A steep trail, drawn with the precision of an artist, invites us to delve into the heart of the valley, where the whispers of the Grosse Melchaa sound like a call to adventure. Each step resonates as a challenge to the wild nature, each moment revealing the raw beauty of existence. |
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| And suddenly, the majestic Grosse Melchaa River appears, a tumultuous waterway with silver reflections. Its turbulent waters murmur the secrets of the mountain, silent witnesses to the grandeur of nature. |
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Section 5: Nicolas de Flüe, from life to death.
Overview of the route’s challenges: a demanding journey through the depths of Ranft Valley, a pause at Flüeli before descending towards Sachseln, occasionally encountering steep slopes, particularly towards the end.
| Nicolas de Flüe was born in the year of our Lord 1417, in Kerns, and later rose to the status of a farmer. He built his home in Flüeli, where, uniting his destiny with that of a spouse, he fathered five sons and an equal number of daughters. His responsibilities grew as he distinguished himself as an eminent member of the municipal council and judge, animated by a remarkable ability to reconcile disputes. Despite strong familial ties, a fervent desire to renounce all earthly possessions took root within him, a desire long fed by uncertainties. Ultimately, with his wife’s consent to his departure, he left. Clothed in the garb of a pilgrim, in the year 1467, Nicolas took leave of his home, his lands, and his kin. His initial intention to travel overseas was replaced by a new resolution: to settle on his own lands, on the edge of a deep ravine, not far from his home. In total destitution, facing the harshness of winter without food or drink, he rooted himself there. The following year, the locals built him a humble dwelling and chapel, transforming the farmer Nicolas de Flüe into Brother Klaus, a distinguished hermit. He then embraced the life of Brother Nicolas, dedicating himself according to tradition to the deprivation of food and drink, a testimony corroborated by the guardians of the Vatican, who investigated the facts. In 1481, a conflict erupted between the urban and rural cantons regarding the integration of Fribourg and Solothurn into the nascent Confederation. Nicolas’s sage advice then proved salutary in preserving peace within the Swiss Confederation at the Diet of Stans. For once, Nicolas’s saga is anchored in historical annals, in contrast to the legends surrounding perhaps the genesis of Switzerland, such as that of the Rütli. Beatified in the year 1649, Nicolas de Flüe remains an exemplar of virtue and wisdom.
Crossing the tumultuous course of the Grosse Melchaa, the path leads to the lower chapel, named Untere Ranftkapelle, a Gothic edifice erected in the year 1501. The interior walls, adorned with 16th-century frescoes, lend this place a nearly divine aura, imbued with deep religiosity. |
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The actual hermitage is a stone’s throw away, above a chalet where souvenirs are sold.
a series of paintings depicting the life of Brother Nicolas. As for the residential house, it largely retains its authenticity, though the stone cushion, an object of veneration, is sometimes replaced, stolen by admirers of the saint
| Another chapel comes into view, named Obere Ranftkapelle, overlooking the cell where the hermit resided. Rebuilt at the end of the 17th century, this chapel contains within its walls a series of paintings depicting the life of Brother Nicolas. As for the residential house, it largely retains its authenticity, though the stone cushion, an object of veneration, is sometimes replaced, stolen by admirers of the saint. |
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| A narrow-paved path meanders through the meadows, linking Ranft to the plateau of Flüeli, dotted with visitors advancing with difficulty on the hard slope, testifying to the undeniable attraction of these places. |
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For visitors, a walking time indication is offered, not for the ascent but for the descent.
| Flüeli elegantly unveils a building that evokes fairy tales, reminiscent of the enchanting charm of Sleeping Beauty’s castle. Drawing a host of Swiss and foreign visitors to Ranft, this blessed place stands in majesty, the church dominating from its promontory, overlooking the village with an almost divine aura. |
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| Visitors also flock to contemplate the dwelling that was once Nicolas’s domain, though its ancient origin seems almost improbable. Once the undisputed property of the Flüe lineage, this building has transformed into a cultural sanctuary, meticulously restored in 1946, where the soul of the past permeates every corner of its walls with the unchanging history of the region. The visitor is immersed in a bygone era, where furniture, crockery, even the wood creaking under each step, narrate a timeless tale. |
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| Under the benevolent gaze of the church, the Via Jacobi carves its path out of Flüeli. |
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Its course intersects with a strikingly elegant dwelling, stunning the passerby with its beauty and timeless tranquility, cloaked in the charred bark of wood. It is a fraternal replica of Nicolas’s abode.
| During its journey, the route traverses a grove, initiating her descent towards Sachseln, like a slow dance orchestrated by nature itself. |
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| The slope gradually intensifies, propelling the traveler amidst tall grasses and beaten earth, alongside slumbering farms, akin to a voyage through the ages. |
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| Further down, at a place called Ingang, Sachseln reveals itself, promising another half-hour walk to those yearning for its welcoming shores. |
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| The incline steepens as the path winds through beeches, chestnuts, and maples, leading to the discovery of Sachseln, peacefully settled by the shores of Lake Sarnen. |
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| Here, nature unfolds its splendor generously, reminiscent of the most beautifully illustrated pages, exuding purity and authenticity. |
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| As the path approaches the isolated farms of Endi, the slope becomes steeper, and the path changes direction. |
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| The path gracefully meanders between fields and woodlands, eventually joining a small road above Sachseln. |
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| Alongside carefully restored ancient dwellings, which seem to flourish as second homes, it’s easy to envision the sweetness of life in these places. |
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| From this vantage point, Sachseln serenely reveals itself, while Sarnen, the capital of the half-canton of Obwalden, can be glimpsed in the distance, at the end of the lake. |
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| Shortly after, the Via Jacobi leaves the asphalt to delve into a mysterious woodland, like a nymph vanishing into the forest shadows, inviting the walker to follow its secret meanders. |
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| A steep path descends the abrupt slope to the gates of Sachseln, punctuated here and there by steps to ease the descent. |
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| On the heights of the place, ancient dwellings stand proudly, boasting facades adorned with shingles. The rugged slope persists into the heart of the small town, home to a community of around 4,850 souls. |
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| To fully grasp the local context, a historical overview is necessary. The parish church dedicated to Saint Theodule plays a dual role as an ordinary place of worship and a pilgrimage site dedicated to Nicholas of Flüe. This edifice is categorized as a cultural treasure of paramount importance to the nation. Its original construction dates back to the 13th century. Brother Klaus, an eminent figure, was buried here on March 21, 1487, a singular practice for a layman of the countryside.
The canonization of the saint in the mid-17th century led to a continuous influx of pilgrims to Sachseln. Faced with this growing demand, the modest church proved too small, prompting the construction of a new sacred edifice. The local inhabitants actively involved themselves, both through their labor and fiscal contributions, in the realization of this new church. The foundation stone was laid in 1672, while both churches were simultaneously used, arranged at right angles. This arrangement allowed for the continuation of religious celebrations in the old church during the construction of the new sanctuary. In 1679, the nave was completed, and the oak coffin containing Brother Klaus’s remains was transferred to the new structure. Meanwhile, the demolition of the old church began, with the exception of the Marienkapelle, thus preserving the original setting of the saint’s tomb. Around 1703, an ossuary was erected on this site, while in 1878, the two buildings merged to form the current mortuary chapel. The construction of the church as a whole spanned a period of 12 years, from 1672 to 1684. Subsequent modifications were minor, except for the relocation of Brother Klaus’s tomb to the high altar in 1976, now visible through a window, surmounted by a statue crafted by a local goldsmith in 1934. The saint’s relics rest in a chrome steel receptacle. Thus, the tower dating from the 13th century, surmounted by a baroque dome added in the 17th century, remains the centerpiece of the mortuary chapel. Despite the vicissitudes that marked the journey of the saint’s remains, their presence, albeit in a dilapidated state, remains perceptible in the mortuary chapel (Grabkapelle). |
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| The church of Sachseln, with its dark marbles and black hues, stands as a baroque architectural gem of rare beauty. |
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| Since 1610, the hermit’s robe has been carefully preserved in the parish church. Its authenticity has been verified and attested. In 1975, this robe, weathered by time, underwent meticulous restoration at the National Museum in Zurich. |
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| Charming half-timbered houses line the square adjacent to the church, also housing a museum dedicated to the saint. If you feel inclined to extend your stay, the possibility is offered right here, although for a more refined experience, an excursion to Zollhaus, five kilometers away, offers an exceptional inn. |
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Accomodation on Via Jacobi
• B&B Wallimann-Sasaki, Rohrmatte 6, St Jakob; 041 610 99 65/079 337 99 65; Guestroom, dinner, breakfast
• Werner & Béatrice Barmettler, Oberhofstatt, St Jakob; 041 610 99 65; Guestroom, dinner, breakfast
• Kloster Béthanie, Bethanienstrasse, St Niklausen; 041 666 02 00; Guestroom, dinner, breakfast
• Jugendunterkunft, Dossen 2, Flüeli; 041 660 85 50: Youth hostel, cuisine
• Marianne Von Ah, Chilweg 24, Flüeli; 041 660 69 41; Guestroom, breakfast
• Hôtel PaxMontana, Dossen 1, Flüeli; 041 662 24 00; Hotel***, dinner, breakfast
• Hôtel Klausenhof, Melchtalerstrasse 25, Flüeli; 041 666 37 77; Hotel***, dinner, breakfast
• Hotel FlüeMatte, Flüeli; 041 660 12 84; Hotel***, dinner, breakfast
• B&B Geisser & Joller, Hansenmatti 3, Sachseln; 041 610 74 06/079 278 98 74; Guestroom, breakfast
• Franziska Santana, Seestrasse 24, Sachseln; 041 660 45 09; Guestroom, breakfast
• Vreni Baumgartner, Hansenmatti 4, Sachseln; 079 235 84 13; Guestroom, breakfast
• Gasthaus Engel, Brünigstrasse 100, Sachseln; 041 660 36 46; Hotel, dinner, breakfast
• Gasthaus Löwen, Brünigstrasse 109, Sachseln; 041 660 14 48; Hotel, dinner, breakfast
• Hôtel Restaurant Bahnhof, Bahnhofstrasse 15, Sachseln; 041 660 14 08; Hotel, dinner, breakfast
• Hôtel Kreuz, Bruder Klausenweg 1, Sachseln; 041 660 53 00; Hotel**** dinner, breakfast
Finding accommodation on this stage shouldn’t pose major difficulties. You’ll be in cities with all the necessary amenities. However, it’s still wise to make reservations for peace of mind.
Feel free to add comments. This is often how you move up the Google hierarchy, and how more pilgrims will have access to the site.
Next stage: Stage 8: From Sachseln to Brünigpass
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