Walensee Lake

Address: Walensee, Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland

Website: https://www.walensee-tourismus.ch/

Walensee is a lake in eastern Switzerland situated between the cantons of St. Gallen and Glarus and framed by steep mountain slopes, notably the Churfirsten ridge. The lake covers roughly 24 square kilometres and reaches a maximum depth of about 151 metres.

Shore towns such as Walenstadt, Weesen and Murg provide access points, beaches and boat connections; the steep northern walls make the setting particularly striking and popular for day trips. Walking trails along the shore and routes up into the adjacent ranges are the main recreational draws.

The lake occupies a glacially carved trough and has long been used for local transport, fishing and tourism, with settlements developing along its shores over centuries. Modern road and rail links provide easy access from nearby towns and cantonal centres.

Walensee lies in eastern Switzerland at the foot of the Alps, between the cities and communities of the Sarganserland and Glarus regions, within an hour or two’s drive from major Swiss transport hubs.

• Boat services: Regular passenger boat services link Walenstadt, Murg and Weesen, offering an easy way to see the lake and surrounding cliffs from the water.
• Best viewpoints: Good viewpoints are along the Churfirsten ridge and at towns on the northern shore for dramatic mountain-lake contrasts, especially on clear days.

Accessible by train (S-Bahn and regional services to Walenstadt) and by car via the A3 motorway; local ferries operate on the lake in summer months.

• Rent a boat in summer to explore quieter bays and reach lakeside villages that are otherwise hard to access.
• Hike short sections of the shore trail for dramatic cliff perspectives - the southern shore is steeper and more alpine.
• If visiting by car, take the A3 motorway toward Walenstadt and follow cantonal roads to the lake's southern villages.