Cycling in Switzerland

Lakes Route
Stage 7, Zug–Einsiedeln

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Lakes Route
Stage 7, Zug–Einsiedeln
A cool underwater world in cave grottos, a grim battle world at crystal-clear Ägerisee, an orchid, peat and insect world on the Rothenthurm high moor and a busy world of pilgrims in Einsiedeln, place of pilgrimage.
The Lake Zug region is most charming at cherry blossom time. The main river of the canton is the Lorze. It flows from Lake Ägeri through the deep Lorzentobel ravine to Lake Zug. There are three hydroelectric power plants between Lake Zug and where the Lorze merges with the Reuss River. The ride through the tree-covered Lorzentobel valley is definitely not monotonous. Beautiful picnic spots and elderberry blossoms, which eventually will be turned into syrup, make the tour that much sweeter. The 6000-year old Höllgrotten limestone caves and their bizarre rock formations are another highlight, and the view up to the Lorzentobel Bridge spanning the ravine is an impressive sight.
The monument of the Battle of Morgarten is rather a warlike structure. The battle was fought in 1315 between the Habsburgs led by Duke Leopold of Austria and the soldiers of Schwyz with their allies. It is now remembered as the old Confederates’ first battle for freedom. Luckily, the blood that was spilled that day is long gone and now Lake Ägeri looks its best. Up you go to Sunnenberg and to Switzerland’s largest still existing heath and moorland of Rothenturm. In 1987 it gained national significance due to massive voter support. Now it offers a variety of natural habitats, such as peat banks, high and low-moorlands, globeflowers, purple moor-grass and sundew. Lapwings, skylarks, meadow pipits and other ground-breeding birds – and even cuckoos - feel quite at home here.
Along the Biber River you cycle down to Schwyzerbrugg and Biberbrugg and then follow another river, the Alp, to the famous pilgrimage village of Einsiedeln. Einsiedeln Abbey is Switzerland’s premier Baroque structure and the pertaining Mercy Chapel and the Black Madonna are highly revered in the Catholic faith. A visit to the extensive Benedictine Abbey is also recommended. It goes without saying that the impressive abbey is a popular stop on the Way of St. James.
The monument of the Battle of Morgarten is rather a warlike structure. The battle was fought in 1315 between the Habsburgs led by Duke Leopold of Austria and the soldiers of Schwyz with their allies. It is now remembered as the old Confederates’ first battle for freedom. Luckily, the blood that was spilled that day is long gone and now Lake Ägeri looks its best. Up you go to Sunnenberg and to Switzerland’s largest still existing heath and moorland of Rothenturm. In 1987 it gained national significance due to massive voter support. Now it offers a variety of natural habitats, such as peat banks, high and low-moorlands, globeflowers, purple moor-grass and sundew. Lapwings, skylarks, meadow pipits and other ground-breeding birds – and even cuckoos - feel quite at home here.
Along the Biber River you cycle down to Schwyzerbrugg and Biberbrugg and then follow another river, the Alp, to the famous pilgrimage village of Einsiedeln. Einsiedeln Abbey is Switzerland’s premier Baroque structure and the pertaining Mercy Chapel and the Black Madonna are highly revered in the Catholic faith. A visit to the extensive Benedictine Abbey is also recommended. It goes without saying that the impressive abbey is a popular stop on the Way of St. James.
A cool underwater world in cave grottos, a grim battle world at crystal-clear Ägerisee, an orchid, peat and insect world on the Rothenthurm high moor and a busy world of pilgrims in Einsiedeln, place of pilgrimage.
The Lake Zug region is most charming at cherry blossom time. The main river of the canton is the Lorze. It flows from Lake Ägeri through the deep Lorzentobel ravine to Lake Zug. There are three hydroelectric power plants between Lake Zug and where the Lorze merges with the Reuss River. The ride through the tree-covered Lorzentobel valley is definitely not monotonous. Beautiful picnic spots and elderberry blossoms, which eventually will be turned into syrup, make the tour that much sweeter. The 6000-year old Höllgrotten limestone caves and their bizarre rock formations are another highlight, and the view up to the Lorzentobel Bridge spanning the ravine is an impressive sight.
The monument of the Battle of Morgarten is rather a warlike structure. The battle was fought in 1315 between the Habsburgs led by Duke Leopold of Austria and the soldiers of Schwyz with their allies. It is now remembered as the old Confederates’ first battle for freedom. Luckily, the blood that was spilled that day is long gone and now Lake Ägeri looks its best. Up you go to Sunnenberg and to Switzerland’s largest still existing heath and moorland of Rothenturm. In 1987 it gained national significance due to massive voter support. Now it offers a variety of natural habitats, such as peat banks, high and low-moorlands, globeflowers, purple moor-grass and sundew. Lapwings, skylarks, meadow pipits and other ground-breeding birds – and even cuckoos - feel quite at home here.
Along the Biber River you cycle down to Schwyzerbrugg and Biberbrugg and then follow another river, the Alp, to the famous pilgrimage village of Einsiedeln. Einsiedeln Abbey is Switzerland’s premier Baroque structure and the pertaining Mercy Chapel and the Black Madonna are highly revered in the Catholic faith. A visit to the extensive Benedictine Abbey is also recommended. It goes without saying that the impressive abbey is a popular stop on the Way of St. James.
The monument of the Battle of Morgarten is rather a warlike structure. The battle was fought in 1315 between the Habsburgs led by Duke Leopold of Austria and the soldiers of Schwyz with their allies. It is now remembered as the old Confederates’ first battle for freedom. Luckily, the blood that was spilled that day is long gone and now Lake Ägeri looks its best. Up you go to Sunnenberg and to Switzerland’s largest still existing heath and moorland of Rothenturm. In 1987 it gained national significance due to massive voter support. Now it offers a variety of natural habitats, such as peat banks, high and low-moorlands, globeflowers, purple moor-grass and sundew. Lapwings, skylarks, meadow pipits and other ground-breeding birds – and even cuckoos - feel quite at home here.
Along the Biber River you cycle down to Schwyzerbrugg and Biberbrugg and then follow another river, the Alp, to the famous pilgrimage village of Einsiedeln. Einsiedeln Abbey is Switzerland’s premier Baroque structure and the pertaining Mercy Chapel and the Black Madonna are highly revered in the Catholic faith. A visit to the extensive Benedictine Abbey is also recommended. It goes without saying that the impressive abbey is a popular stop on the Way of St. James.
Length
46 km
Roads and trails
Asphalted: 40 km
Natural surface: 6 km
Natural surface: 6 km
Ascent | Descent
880 m | 420 m
Fitness level
medium
Arrival | return travel
More …
Saving metres in altitude
There is a bus between Zug, Bahnhofplatz and Unterägeri, Zentrum that saves about 300 metres in altitude.
Hint
Beware: steep unsurfaced section in Lorzentobel (Baar–Aegeri).
Traffic volume
Busy main roads Schmittli–Unterägeri and Oberägeri–Morgarten.
Saving metres in altitude
There is a train between Sattel-Aegeri and Rothenthurm that saves about 150 metres in altitude.
Shooting range in operation
Beware: route past shooting stand north of Rothenthurm closed when shooting in progress, diversion via main road signposted.
Traffic volume
Beware: busy main road at Biberbrugg.
Diversion, Lorzentobel
Duration
until summer 2023
Reason
Construction & maintenance work
The route is being diverted. Please follow the local signposts. See map for details.
Data source: SwitzerlandMobility / Cantonal office