Discover Central and Northern Switzerland

The Alpine region that we have chosen to define as Northern and Central Switzerland covers that part of the Alps between Zurich andAppenzell and between Zurich and Gotthard. It passes through the great lakes including the magnificent Lake of the Four Cantons and the historic cantons around which the Helvetic Confederation, in other words Switzerland, was built. It provides access to four of the most beautiful lookouts on the Alps : Säntis, Pilatus, Bürgenstock and Rigi. It is home to two of the largest ski resorts in Switzerland: Engelberg and Andermatt. Finally, it is the birthplace of the most famous Swiss historical figure: William Tell.

Let’s explore this great Alpine region of central and northern Switzerland.

Zurich, the heart of Central Switzerland

The journey begins at Zurich, the economic capital of Switzerland. Don't let the city's industrial surroundings put you off. It's in its centre that its charm begins. The wealth of monuments, the beauty of the façades, the presence of water, whether on the banks of the lake or along the quays of the Limmat, give visitors the cultural dimension that this city has had and still has on the whole country.

From the bustling lakeside shores in the vicinity of Zurich, an invitation to travel towards horizons where nature and culture weave together the fabric of a Switzerland of striking beauty and rich history.

From the heights of Zurich, especially from the top of theUetliberg, we can see a large part of the Alpine arc towards the east and south. It is a call to discovery.

Appenzell, Walensee and Glarus, the green heart of northeastern Switzerland

Towards the east, Appenzell and Appenzell await you with their lively traditions, their bucolic landscapes where the green hills, punctuated by picturesque chalets and peaceful cows. They tell of centuries of pastoral life. Here, the sound of cowbells mixes with the melodies of yodeling, and the painted facades of the houses reveal popular stories. Discovering the Appenzell region allows an immersion in an authentic Switzerland.

It is also a land of hiking with summits accessible at altitudes rarely higher than 2000 meters and remarkable viewpoints such as that from the summit of Säntis.

A region where it is good to stroll on foot or by bike, stopping at farms to taste the famous Appenzeller cheese, whose inimitable taste is a promise of local flavors.

Among the valleys that flow eastward from Lake Zurich, there is one that is worth a visit. On the road to the spa town of Bad Ragaz, almost on the border of the canton of Grisons and nearby Liechtenstein, you pass Lake Walensee. On its southern shore and facing an imposing mountain wall, you reach the small village of Unterterzen, which has the particularity of providing direct access from the shores of the lake to a vast ski area, that of Flumserberg. You can ski up to 2000 metres above sea level with breathtaking views of the lake below.

Anyone looking for an authentic Alpine atmosphere far from the classic tourist bling bling will fall in love with the region of Glaris.

Wide valleys with very flat bottoms, ideal for lovers of cycling or hiking, follow the course of more or less powerful watercourses.

The central valley, where the Glarus settlement is located, follows the course of the Linth River and the road to the Klausenpass which gives access to Altdorf on the other side. The altitude is low, around 500 to 600 meters, but the very high mountains, beyond 2000 meters give a feeling of high mountain landscape.

We can stop at the small ski resort of Braunwald which bathes in the silence specific to car-free resorts, on a plateau at an altitude of 1200 metres accessible by funicular from Linthal.

Higher up, the small hamlet of Uri soil seems completely lost and isolated in the middle of the mountain pastures if it were not for its ski area which gives it a little more life in winter. The ideal place for lovers of remote sites in the Alps.

At the entrance to the valley, the climb to the lake of Kloental (Klöntalsee) is worth a visit. This reservoir is nestled between high mountains covered with forests. The site is very wild.

Finally, the Elm Valley, which extends laterally from Glarus, is peaceful and green, and the few ski slopes in winter do not disturb the still well-preserved pastoral life.

The lake region south of Lake Zurich

We had barely left Lake Zurich when we found ourselves on the shores of other lakes again.

Whether it is the lake of Zug (Zug in German), one of the richest cantons in Switzerland, and this is evident on the banks, or the spectacular lake sihl, these lakes are real living paintings. In the foreground the blue waters of the bodies of water, and in the background, the mountain ridges stand out against the sky.

Not far from the Sihlsee, you should stop at theEinsiedeln Abbey, a jewel of religious architecture. This baroque masterpiece, whose imposing towers rise proudly towards the sky, invites pilgrims and visitors to pass through its doors to discover a sanctuary full of history. Inside the abbey church, the brilliance of the gilding, the richness of the frescoes and the softness of the sculpted marble captivate the eye. In the center, the Chapel of Grace houses the famous Black Virgin, venerated for centuries for her miracles. As in any abbey, a large library gives even more character to this imposing building.

The atmosphere of contemplation contrasts with the excitement of visitors who flock to contemplate this unique place, a true stopover on the Camino de Santiago. The Gregorian chants of the Benedictine monks, resonating in the vast nave, envelop the soul in a profound peace. The surrounding gardens, dotted with flowers and sacred statues, offer a meditative stroll.

If you are passing through the region, you absolutely must stop there.

Further down the valley, you can reconnect with alpine nature in the small village of brunni, at the foot of the particular silhouette of the two twin peaks of the Mount MythenTheir ascent will give you the opportunity to begin to discover Lake Lucerne.

Lake Lucerne

A complete article is dedicated to the presentation of Lake Lucerne. We will therefore limit ourselves here to recalling that the visit to the old town of Lucerne stands out as a cultural break in the Central Switzerland region. This old town with its austere and imposing stone buildings has had and still has a significant cultural and historical influence on the region. We will therefore stroll along the alleys and squares, across the bridges, and in particular the covered bridge Kapellbrücke, and along the shores of the lake.

Because it is mainly for the lake that the visitor comes to this central region of the Swiss Alps. He will be able to tour it and discover the enchantment of the villages like Weggis et Vitznau, before diving into the heart of the Alps towards Sisikon and Altdorf. On this same bank, a climb to the summit of the Riga, by train, offers a panoramic view of the lake and the Glarus Alps.

On the other bank, it is at Burgenstock which you will have to climb to discover a breathtaking view from this summit set in the middle of the different branches of Lake Lucerne.

Finally, for lovers of high mountain landscapes, you will have to climb to the summit of the PilateThe lake will then stretch out at your feet in its entirety, and the 360-degree view will cover a large part of the peaks of the Alps of central Switzerland.

To the east, west and south of Lake Lucerne

To the east of Lake Lucerne lies the canton of Schwyz. The one that gave its name to the entire country, thanks to its brave soldiers who won their independence from the Habsburg troops at the end of the 13th century. They were not alone, the people of Uri and Nidwalden also contributed to this historical moment.

Schwyz is the land of the Swiss Army knife, the landscape around the Mythen, the climb to the Rigi and the fabulous Muota Valley (Muotathal) and its hanging village of Stoos, accessible by a very steep funicular, the steepest in the world!

The canton of Uri is the land of William Tell, the most famous Swiss historical figure in the world, with his arrow shot at an apple placed on his son's head. Between Altdorf et Burglen, you will know everything about its more or less mythical history.

But the canton of Uri is also the Saint Gotthard road. One of the most important routes between northern and southern Europe since the Middle Ages. This route crosses the Alps today via a pass, a road tunnel and a railway tunnel to connect Central Switzerland to Ticino.

In its most upstream part we find ourselves in the very wild valley ofAndermatt, , at the crossroads of several passes that connect the north and the south, via the Gotthard, but also the east and the west, that is to say the Grisons and the Valais via the Oberalp and Furka passes or via railway tunnels on which cars can be loaded. Andermatt, an alpine crossroads full of history, between ancient trade routes and military exploits, is a starting point towards the Col du Gotthard, a granite sentinel, witness to the journeys and exchanges across the Alps. Its ski area is among the largest in Switzerland and benefits from excellent snow cover throughout the season.

Finally, leaving Lake Lucerne towards the west and the Bernese Oberland along Lake Sarnen, we can allow ourselves a last little detour into the Engelberg Valley. Engelberg, an oasis of tranquility, a village sung by Stephan Eicher, invites you to contemplate in front of Mount Titlis, accessible by a cable car that turns on itself, offering a panoramic view of a world of ice and eternal snow. It is a ski resort with an international reputation but also the place chosen many centuries ago by monks to build a charming abbey. An astonishing mix of ancient and modern, of meditation and extreme sport that seems natural in this country of contrasts.

The lakes and alpine valleys of Central Switzerland allow you to mix up your holiday between cultural visits to Zurich, Lucerne and Altdorf, walks along the Lake Lucerne , hikes on the Mythen or a few ski descents in Andermatt, Engelberg or Stoos…

Everything is quickly accessible. In less than two hours you go from the city to the ski slopes or from swimsuit to hiking boots. So? Ready to go?

What to do absolutely in Central Switzerland and Grisons ?

Take advantage of Thermal baths Tamina in Bad Ragaz
visit Heidiland in Maienfeld
In Andermatt, take the cable car up to Gemsstock. View of over 600 Alpine peaks!
Understanding the importance of the road and tunnels of the Gotthard, at the Saint Gotthard Pass Museum
Climb to the top of the Titlis in Engelberg