On the water

Lake Lucerne is one of the best-known lakes in Switzerland. It lies in the geographical heart of the country, surrounded by sheer rock walls, wooded slopes and small villages. Brunnen, Gersau, Ingenbohl and Küssnacht am Rigi are the Schwyz gateways to one of the most varied water-sports settings in German-speaking Switzerland. The lake covers 114 square kilometres, is up to 214 metres deep and is divided into several basins.

A lake with character

Lake Lucerne is no tame stretch of water. It reacts sensitively to changes in the weather, and anyone who underestimates it can quickly get into difficulty. The famous foehn, which sweeps down over the Alpine passes especially in spring and autumn, brings fresh wind and lively water – prized by sailors and windsurfers, a reason for caution for the less experienced.

Even in high summer the water stays refreshingly cool. The surface temperature rarely exceeds 20 degrees even in the warmest weeks, because the lake is very deep and the cold water below regulates the temperature.

The Schwyz lakeside villages

Brunnen is the best-known water-sports location on the Schwyz side. The village lies where the Uri and Gersau basins meet, where the wind conditions are particularly unpredictable, which makes it one of the most popular windsurfing spots in Switzerland. Gersau is quieter: the former republic nestles into a south-facing stretch of shore and is more sheltered from the wind, ideal for stand-up paddling, kayak trips or swimming from the shore.

Küssnacht am Rigi, with its sheltered arm of the lake, offers a calm bay that suits families with children. Ingenbohl and Morschach round off the picture with easily reached access to the water and views of the mountain panoramas.

What the lake offers

Sailing is among the oldest leisure activities on the lake; several clubs offer courses and moorings. Windsurfing has a loyal following in Brunnen, and the combined wind and wave conditions in a foehn attract advanced surfers from all over German-speaking Switzerland. Stand-up paddling is accessible even for beginners, with hire and calm launch spots in Gersau and Brunnen.

Kayak trips are easy to plan, as the stages between the lakeside villages are manageable. Diving offers surprisingly good visibility and interesting underwater walls on calm days. Motorboating is regulated; above a certain engine power a boat licence is compulsory.

Easy to reach without a car

A practical advantage of the Schwyz shore is its public transport connections: Brunnen lies directly on the Zurich–Lucerne–Bellinzona railway line, and Küssnacht am Rigi can be reached by S-Bahn from Lucerne. The scheduled boats of the lake shipping company link the Schwyz lakeside villages with one another and with Lucerne and Flüelen – for many visitors the first highlight of the day.