Lake Lauerz Lake

Address: Lake Lauerz (Lauerzersee), Lauerz, Canton of Schwyz, Switzerland

Hours: Open year-round

Admission: Free (public lake)

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.

Lake Lauerz (Lauerzersee) is in the canton of Schwyz beside the village of Lauerz. Take Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) trains to Arth-Goldau or Schwyz, then transfer to a regional bus or drive the short distance to Lauerz village; the lakeshore and village are within a short walk from the local bus stops or parking areas.

• Use the village of Lauerz as your access point and aim for early morning midweek visits to avoid Swiss weekend excursion traffic from the nearby rail hub of Arth‑Goldau.
• There are well-marked lakeside promenades and small car parks in Lauerz-park there and follow the shore trail rather than trying to drive around the entire lake.
• Walk the quieter north shore reed beds and small bays; birdlife and tranquillity are best away from the main village beach, which many day visitors overlook.