Lakes Route
Overview
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Distance 52 km
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Ascent 420 m
Intro
Pretty and useful, the energy-supplying Sihlsee; split by the lake dam, the Zürichsee with its villa shores; the land drainage project by unconventional engineer H.C. Eschert, the Linth plain with canal, new fields and pastureland.
Description
Getting up bright and early for an exhilarating ride through the landscape, crossing the bridge across Lake Sihl and later the 9 km Etzel reservoir on the Willerzell viaduct, which is about 1 km long. The cars move swiftly, the bridge is narrow and there are no turnouts to let them pass - unfortunately, because the view of lake and mountains is spectacular. It’s best to cross the bridge before you stop and admire lovely Lake Sihl and the Alpine foothills without hurry. Then the ski jumps in Einsiedeln come into view. The climb up to Etzel Pass is almost as steep. The centuries-old crossing on the Way of St. James has gradients of up to 20%. The Devil’s Bridge (1699) across the Sihl and the birthplace of the famous physician and naturalist Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim (for real!) known as Paracelsus, offer a lot of distraction. Born in 1493 or 94 Paracelsus was a specialist in the field of mercury treatments for syphilis. Nowadays, however, you’re more likely to be served specialties from Einsiedeln here.
All this is followed by a marvellous panoramic view of Lake Zurich. If the area around the lake were less built up – only about a third of the shore is accessible now – it would be even more amazing … After a brisk ride via Feusisberg down to Pfäffikon, you will catch sight of the two miniature islands, Ufenau and Lützelau. The bridge that separates the lake in two is clearly less attractive than it appeared from top, but as a reward there is medieval Rapperswil, now known as the city of roses (from May to October, thousands of roses are in bloom throughout the town), with its graceful cityscape and the castle.
The Cistercian convent of Wurmsbach is another highlight. The area with the lovely convent also comprises a farming operation, in addition to a church and a boarding school for girls. The fun on the lake ends near Schmerikon and the route then crosses the Linth Plain and a nature preserve with frogs, insects and a multitude of birds. Herons are soaring into the blue sky and storks also thrive here, as do the river lilies. They bloom from mid-June to July in the most gorgeous pinkish purple. Finally, you follow the Linth channel to reach the town of Ziegelbrücke near Niederurnen, which is separated in two. The northeastern part is located in the Canton St. Gallen, the southwestern half is on the other side of the Linth, in the Canton Glarus.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Einsiedeln
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Ziegelbrücke
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| Ascent |
420 m
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| Descent |
880 m
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| Distance |
52 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
44 km
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| Distance on natural surface |
8 km
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
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| Theme |
Along Water
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Quick Facts
Route number
