Swiss Waters

Lake Lugano in Southern Switzerland reaches out its arms into Italy and is surrounded by numerous mountains offering panoramic views. Thanks to the mild Mediterranean climate, there are even citrus fruits and palm trees growing here. Take a boat ride to sample all that the region has to offer: charming little fishing villages, tourist attractions such as the “Swiss Miniature” Park and flower-filled parks.

The turquoise Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland and neighbouring Lake Thun are situated in a spectacular mountain setting. A boat ride on this typical alpine lake with its steep sides is a truly memorable experience. As well as the towns of Brienz and Interlaken to visit, other sights around Lake Brienz include the Mystery Park, the Ballenberg Museum and the mighty Giessbach Falls.

Gently rocking waves, peace and quiet, relaxation and fine food: the best way to discover the varied Lake Zurich area is by taking a boat trip. The “rose town” of Rapperswil and the sunny “golden coast” on the northern shore are particularly worth visiting, as is of course the dynamic metropolis of Zurich with its countless attractions.

Lake Biel/Bienne in the Mittelland area of Switzerland is situated on the border between the French and German speaking parts and, together with the lakes of Neuchâtel and Murten, is part of the “Three Lakes Region”. It borders the southern edge of the Jura, where the slopes are used for intensive cultivation of vines. The wine-making villages and the romantic St. Peter’s Island are inviting places to spend a while.

Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) in the south-west of Switzerland is the country’s largest lake and borders the cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Valais. The southern shore, at the foot of the Alps, is largely within French territory. Thanks to its mild, almost Mediterranean climate, the Lake Geneva region is known as the “Swiss Riviera”. With the two large cities of Geneva and Lausanne, the region is of great importance for both tourism and business.

The idyllic hilly countryside around the lake, the medieval castle of Hallwyl with its heritage exhibitions, and the romantic boat trips round the lake make Lake Hallwil and the nearby Seetal valley a small but popular tourist area on the border between the cantons of Lucerne and Aargau. There is a popular walk round the shores of Lake Hallwil, with lots of opportunities for swimming or having a rest.

Lac de Joux in the Jura mountains in Vaud canton is located at 1000 metres in the valley of the same name (Vallée de Joux). The stark beauty and unspoilt nature of the high valley and the lake attract countless visitors all year round, in summer mainly for water sports, biking and hiking and in winter for ice-skating and cross-country skiing. During the summer months you can take a boat trip round the lake.

Where the water of the River Doubs, which runs along the border between France and Switzerland, is dammed up by a fall of rocks, it forms the Lac des Brenets near Le Locle. The Saut du Doubs waterfall, where the water of the lake returns to the original river bed, is an impressive natural spectacle. In summer, pleasure boats go from Les Brenets to the waterfall. There is a footpath along the side of the Doubs allowing walkers to spend several days in this wild and romantic valley.

The northern part of Lake Maggiore belongs to the Swiss sun-trap of the Tessin region. In the popular holiday resorts of Locarno, Ascona and Brissago, the atmosphere is almost Mediterranean. A regular boat service crosses the Swiss-Italian border to serve the finest tourist spots around the lake, such as the popular Brissago Islands with their interesting botanical gardens.

Lake Walen in eastern Switzerland lies between the cantons of St.Gallen and Glarus. On the northern side, the Churfirsten mountain chain rises nearly vertically out of the water, in some places over 1000 metres high. There are numerous little places along the shore, such as Quinten with its Mediterranean climate and Betlis with the imposing Seerenbach Waterfall. The boats run all year round, although in winter the service is limited to the connection from Murg to the otherwise inaccessible Quinten.