Schwyz
The holiday and excursion region of Schwyz lies in the heart of Switzerland, in Central Switzerland, where mountains and lakes meet. The canton is framed by imposing peaks, idyllic lakes and extensive forests, giving it a strongly rural and natural character. It is dominated by the Lake Lucerne and Lake Zurich shorelines as well as the Mythen, Rigi and Stoos mountains, and is divided into four sub-regions: Einsiedeln-Ybrig-Lake Zurich, the Mythen experience region, Rigi – mountain and lake, and Stoos-Muotatal. The region is rich in living traditions, customs and cultural heritage, and is regarded as the birthplace of the Swiss Confederation, with the town of Schwyz at its centre. It offers a dense network of hiking and biking trails, water sports on the lakes and a wide range of winter sports, making it a versatile destination for nature lovers and families.
Summer activities
In summer, the canton of Schwyz is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, set between imposing mountains, idyllic lakes and extensive forests. A dense network of hiking trails ranges from gentle walks to demanding summit tours, while mountain bikers and cyclists can tackle routes such as the Etzel tour with views of Lake Zurich, the Rigi panorama route, the trails at Stoos and the route to the Ibergeregg. The pre-Alps offer spectacular climbing walls, and the lakes invite visitors to swim, stand-up paddle, canoe and row, with family bathing spots and boat trips on the Urnersee. Trail running, golf and paragliding round off the summer offer.
Winter activities
In winter, snow transforms the canton of Schwyz into a paradise for winter sports fans. The ski areas are compact and family-friendly, including Hoch-Ybrig with 50 kilometres of pistes and a large snowpark, Stoos with 35 kilometres of sunny panorama and racing pistes leading back to the car-free mountain village, Sattel-Hochstuckli with its rotating gondola and children's area, the Rigi and the Mythen region. Cross-country skiers find well-prepared trails such as the Rothenthurm finnloipe and the Schwedentritt, while snowshoe trails, toboggan runs, winter hiking routes and ski tours round off the offer.
Culture and entertainment
The canton of Schwyz is regarded as the birthplace of the Swiss Confederation and is rich in living traditions, customs and cultural heritage. The town of Schwyz is home to historical museums and the Federal Charter, while the pilgrimage town of Einsiedeln with its monastery and abbey library is a cultural highlight. Throughout the year, an event calendar offers concerts, theatre, traditional festivals and family events, and the region is known for its alpine farming culture and regional culinary specialities.
