Lake Sarnen Lake
Alpine lake near Sarnen with scenic mountain surroundings
Lake Sarnen in Obwalden lies beneath alpine ridges and is framed by the town of Sarnen; visitors use it for swimming, sailing and hikes into nearby mountain trails.
Lake Sarnen at a Glance#
Address: Sarnen, Obwalden, Switzerland
Website: https://www.sarnen.ch
Hours: Open public area (24 hours)
Admission: Free
About Lake Sarnen#
Lake Sarnen (Sarnersee) is a small lake in the canton of Obwalden in central Switzerland, located beside the town of Sarnen. It is a locally important recreational lake set within a compact alpine foothill landscape.
Shoreline paths and promenades near the town allow walking and cycling; local operators run short passenger boats and small-boat rentals in season. Mountains and hills rise close to the lake, giving readily accessible viewpoints within a few kilometers of the shore.
The lake is of postglacial origin and has long been used by nearby communities for fishing and transport on a local scale. Modern amenities along the shore developed in the 19th and 20th centuries as Sarnen grew as a regional centre.
Geographically it lies in central Switzerland, immediately adjacent to the town of Sarnen in Obwalden, roughly in the Lucerne-Interlaken part of the country. The surrounding landscape is a mix of lakeshore settlements, farmland and low alpine hills.
- Access: Sarnen town sits at the northern end of the lake and provides the main access points, including lakeside promenades and boat landings.
- Viewing tips: Best light for photos is generally in the morning or late afternoon when low sun highlights the surrounding foothills.
How to Get to Lake Sarnen#
SBB trains run to Sarnen station from Lucerne (about 30 minutes) and from Interlaken direction via Luzern connections. The station is a 10-15 minute walk to the lakeside promenade. Driving: follow A8 and local roads into Sarnen; parking is available near the center.
Tips for Visiting Lake Sarnen#
- Take the short walk up to Sarnen's town center for a clockwise view of the lake - the train station is only a 10-15 minute walk.
- Rent a bike to follow the lakeside paths; the route to Giswil has fine views of the lake and the mountains beyond.
- Visit on a weekday morning for mirror-like water and fewer day-trippers from Lucerne.
Best Time to Visit Lake Sarnen#
Summer and early autumn are best for activities and views; winter is quiet and atmospheric but conditions can be icy.
Weather & Climate near Lake Sarnen#
Lake Sarnen's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1337 mm/year), wettest in June.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -2° - 4° | -1° | 85 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 1.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -2° - 6° | 0° | 93 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 1.9 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Acceptable | 1° - 11° | 4° | 95 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.2 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | 4° - 14° | 8° | 102 mm | overcast | 78% | 2.1 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.4h |
| May | Acceptable | 8° - 19° | 14° | 121 mm | overcast | 78% | 2.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.8h |
| June | Acceptable | 11° - 21° | 16° | 152 mm | overcast | 78% | 1.9 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Very Good | 13° - 24° | 19° | 147 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 1.9 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 150 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 1.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.0h |
| September | Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 99 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 1.6 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 10° | 98 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 1.5 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | 1° - 8° | 4° | 102 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 1.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -1° - 5° | 0° | 93 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 1.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
