Lakes Route
Overview
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Distance 61 km
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Ascent 400 m
Intro
You hardly touch a corner of the Vierwaldstättersee and Pilatus stands in the way. Cove after cove, direct to Luzern, target of every tourist. Even prettier, the Zugersee, delicious Kirschtorte to make mouths water, tax rates to please purses.
Description
The picturesque village centre of Sarnen is surrounded by old buildings and in the middle of it is a fountain named the Brother Klaus fountain. It was built in 1608. The guildhall from the 16th century and the 600-year old Baroque municipal building of the Canton Obwalden are other impressive structures. More information about the region is found in Sarnen’s History Museum, which also tells about folklore, regional customs, art and craftwork. The route leads directly past the museum. Along the Sarner Aa you get to small Lake Wichel. The reservoir is under natural protection and offers a retreat to a wide variety of birds. The world’s steepest cogwheel train in Alpnachstad has been chugging up to Mount Pilatus (2128 m) in the heart of Switzerland since 1889 with a gradient of up to 48%.
Lake Alpnach, a side arm of Lake Lucerne, is also in the middle of Switzerland. Following the water through an old, geologically interesting area you eventually reach the glassworks of Hergiswil, where you can watch the glass blowers at work. Viewed from above, Lake Lucerne looks like a cross and it is just as complicated to follow it on the ground. Past lovely beaches on the lake you arrive in Lucerne, the social and cultural hub of Central Switzerland. With Chapel Bridge, Reuss Bridge, the Water Tower (Wasserturm), the Culture and Convention Centre KKL, the Swiss Museum of Transport, the picturesque old town, Mount Pilatus nearby and Rigi Mountain, it is one of the most beautiful and popular cities in Switzerland.
There is also plenty to see and do on the Reuss River, such as the Seetalplatz Center with a children’s playground and a bistro, or the wood sculpture trail through the forest. In Cham on Lake Zug you will find a generous park (Hirsgarten Villettepark), a beautiful spot to relax and watch the grey geese. Considered to be a nuisance by some, the local government occasionally pilfers the geese’s eggs to keep their population down. Some lost golf balls might also be pilfered on the nearby golf courses. But everyone will enjoy the 33 pile dwellings in the Canton Zug. Today’s destination situated on the delightful lake is the town of Zug with its lovingly preserved old town – in addition to many tax breaks.
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 |
Sarnen
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Zug
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| Ascent |
400 m
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| Descent |
440 m
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| Distance |
61 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
50 km
|
| Distance on natural surface |
11 km
|
| Physical requirements |
Difficult
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| Theme |
Along Water
|
Quick Facts
Route number
