"He must come through this hollow way..."

Passing through the Hohle Gasse or visiting Gesslerburg Castle, one feels transported back to the dramatic saga centred on Wilhelm Tell. The Hohle Gasse experience begins with a visit to the entertaining information pavilion. An ensuing walk along the Hohle Gasse leads to the Tell Chapel.

Not far from here is the ruin of Gesslerburg Castle (or, more correctly, Küssnacht Castle) on a hilltop. Like the Hohle Gasse, the castle is part of the Wilhelm Tell legend. The chronicler Aegidius Tschudi asserts that it was the seat of the bailiff, Hermann Gessler.

The Hohle Gasse is a heritage site of national significance: connecting Küssnacht with Immensee, it was originally part of the historic north-south trading route between Zurich and the Gotthard. By the 1930s, the volume of road traffic using it had become unacceptable, so Swiss schoolchildren banded together to draw attention to the problem by selling postcards – thus paving the way for a bypass. A foundation composed of schoolchildren became the custodian of the historical site. These days, the Hohle Gasse is not only a pillar of the Swiss federal 'founding myth', but also, thanks to its information pavilion and rest area, an attraction for visitors interested in culture and history. The pavilion explains the background to the history and stories surrounding Wilhelm Tell and the Hohle Gasse.

Directions: the "Immensee, Hohle Gasse" bus stop is in the immediate vicinity, while the Hohle Gasse is a 15-minute walk from Immensee railway station.

Picnicking: covered rest area in the Hohle Gasse with barbecue (firewood not provided), fountain, tables and seating. Reservations possible. The Gesslerburg barbecue spot is a 15-minute walk away.

WC: toilets are provided by the rest area.