Lake Lauerz

Lake Lauerz is a small lake in the Swiss canton of Schwyz, located near the villages of Lauerz and Seewen and close to the Rigi massif. It is a freshwater lake set within a sharply folded alpine foothill landscape and is a regional recreational and natural feature.

The lake supports boating, fishing and shoreline walking, and is visible from nearby tourist vantage points such as the Rigi slopes and the Goldau area. Its compact size makes it a short excursion destination from nearby towns rather than a long-distance destination.

Historically the lake is associated with the catastrophic Goldau landslide of 1806, which generated waves and local destruction and remains a noted event in local history. The shoreline villages have recovered and the lake area is now used for leisure and nature appreciation.

Geographically it sits east of Lake Lucerne in central Switzerland and is easily reached from the towns of Schwyz and Rigi by short road links and local transport.

• Best viewpoints: A dramatic viewpoint is from nearby slopes of the Rigi and the Rossberg-Goldau area, which offer clear views across the lake and surrounding mountains.
• Historic landslide impact: The 1806 Goldau landslide produced a wave on the lake with destructive local effects, an important event for regional history and geology.