Cycling in Switzerland

Lakes Route
Stage 6, Sarnen–Zug

rotate your device for slideshow
Lakes Route
Stage 6, Sarnen–Zug
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 more alluring than Lake Lucerne is Lake Zug, perhaps because of Zug’s famous cherry torte, or could it be the generous tax breaks?
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.
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.
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 more alluring than Lake Lucerne is Lake Zug, perhaps because of Zug’s famous cherry torte, or could it be the generous tax breaks?
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.
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.
Length
61 km
Roads and trails
Asphalted: 50 km
Natural surface: 11 km
Natural surface: 11 km
Ascent | Descent
420 m | 460 m
Fitness level
difficult
Arrival | return travel
More …
Diversion, Root
Duration
03.06.2022 - 30.11.2022
Reason
Construction & maintenance work
The route is being diverted. Please follow the local signposts. See map for details.
Data source: SwitzerlandMobility / Cantonal office
Diversion, Alpnachstad
Duration
08.03.2023 - 21.04.2023
Reason
Construction & maintenance work
The route is diverted via cycle route 4. Please follow the local signposts. See map for details.
Data source: SwitzerlandMobility / Cantonal office
Traffic volume
Beware: busy main through-road Hergiswil.