Mythen Region
The Erlebnisregion Mythen is a tourism region in central Switzerland, in the canton of Schwyz, lying between the Vierwaldstättersee (Lake Lucerne) and the Mythen mountain massif. The region is rural and small-town in character, with the historic cantonal capital of Schwyz and the lakeside resort of Brunnen at its heart, surrounded by the peaks of the Mythen, Rigi and Stoos. It is dominated by water, with the Urnersee, Lauerzersee and Ägerisee shaping the landscape, and by high mountains and moorland such as the Hochmoor Rothenthurm. The area is rich in Swiss history and tradition, known as the cradle of the Swiss Confederation, with a lively cultural and festival calendar. Nature reserves, hiking and biking trails, and lake excursions offer a wide range of outdoor experiences for families, sports enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Summer activities
In summer the Mythen region offers a wide range of outdoor activities. Hiking trails lead from gentle lakeside walks to the summit of the Grosser Mythen, reached via the Mythenweg with its 47 switchbacks, as well as routes on the Rotenflue, the Rigi and through the moorland of the Ibergeregg. Cycling and mountain biking tours range from relaxed lake circuits to high-altitude routes, while trail running is offered on trails such as the Helsana-Trail Rotenflue and at Sattel-Hochstuckli. Water sports include canoeing, stand-up paddling, river tubing, sailing and rowing on the Vierwaldstättersee, Urnersee and Ägerisee, plus lake cruises and swimming in the many lidos and lake baths.
Winter activities
Winter in the Mythen region offers a varied snow-sports programme. Skiing and snowboarding are available across around 66.5 kilometres of pistes in the Mythenregion, Sattel-Hochstuckli and Neusell-Rothenthurm, including the Mythenpark freestyle park, with a shared 'Swiss Knife Valley' season pass. Cross-country skiing is a highlight, with the Finnish-style trail in the Langlaufparadies Rothenthurm and the technically demanding Oberberg loop. Sledging runs such as the Rotenflue-Rätigs, snowshoe trails through the Ibergeregg, and winter hiking on the Weg der Schweiz round out the offer.
Culture and entertainment
The Mythen region is a cultural heartland of Switzerland, steeped in the history of the founding of the Swiss Confederation. The town of Schwyz is home to several museums of national history, including the Bundesbriefmuseum with the famous Federal Charter of 1291, alongside historic manor houses and a baroque main square. Brunnen hosts a lively summer programme of folklore shows, alphorn concerts, flag-throwing displays and lakeside concerts, while traditional customs such as the Fasnacht carnival, the Steiner Chilbi and the 1 August national celebrations are kept alive across the region. Theatres, cinemas and festivals such as the Othmar Schoeck Festival and the 'Der Herbst' culture festival round out the cultural offer.
