{{filter.label}}
Holidays at Walensee
The Walensee, also known as Lake Walen or Lake Walenstadt, is a large, dramatic lake located in Eastern Switzerland, primarily in the cantons of St. Gallen and Glarus.
Description and History
The Walensee is often described as resembling a Norwegian fjord due to its dramatic landscape.
Geography: The lake is long and narrow, nestled between the steep, majestic limestone cliffs of the Churfirsten mountains to the north and the Glarus Alps to the south, where the Flumserberg resort area is located.
Glacial Formation: The valley was hollowed out by the powerful Rhine glacier.
Geological Significance: The region is highly interesting from a geological perspective, particularly for the Glarus Overthrust (part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tectonic Arena Sardona), which showed older rock layers resting on top of younger ones—a topic of intense scientific debate in the early 20th century.
Hydrology: It has a maximum depth of 151 meters and is known for its crystal-clear, clean water, with visibility up to 24 meters. The main inflow is the Linth River (via the Escherkanal), and it flows out through the Linth canal toward Lake Zurich.
Car-Free Village: The village of Quinten on the north shore is unique in Switzerland because it is only accessible by boat or on foot. It benefits from a Mediterranean microclimate (often called the "Riviera of Eastern Switzerland") that allows for the cultivation of grapes for wine, as well as figs and kiwis.
Name Origin: The name "Walensee" means 'Lake of the Walhaz' (Welschen), as it formed a linguistic border between the Germanic Alemanni settlers and the Romansh-speaking people in the early Middle Ages.
Cultural Reference: The lake was the inspiration for the solo piano piece Au lac de Wallenstadt by Romantic composer Franz Liszt.
Nature and Ecology
Mountain Landscape: The Churfirsten mountain range rises steeply on the northern side, providing a spectacular backdrop and popular hiking peaks.
Waterfalls: The region is home to stunning waterfalls, notably the Seerenbach Falls, which cascade down the steep cliffs and are among the most impressive in Europe.
Flora: The mild climate in areas like Quinten supports fig trees, and there are mixed chestnut and lime forests around the lake. The Murg Valley features a protected Arolla pine forest reserve.
Fauna: The small Schnittlauchinsel (Chives Island), the only island in the lake, is home to a colony of mute swans.
Lake Conservation: The lake's cold temperatures contribute to its cleanliness, and the clear, emerald-green water invites swimming at natural beaches like Gäsi and Betlis.
Typical Foods
The cuisine in the Walensee area is part of the broader culinary tradition of Eastern Switzerland and the German-speaking Swiss region.
Lake Fish: Freshly caught lake fish like whitefish (Felchen), perch (Egli), and pike are popular in lakeside restaurants.
Regional Swiss Staples: Common dishes include Swiss classics like:
Rösti: Grated, fried potato rounds.
St. Galler Bratwurst: A famous local sausage (often eaten without mustard).
Fondue and Raclette: Cheese-based dishes popular across Switzerland.
Glarus Specialties: Being partly in the Canton of Glarus, dishes like Kalberwurst (a white sausage) are also part of the regional cuisine.
Local Produce: Thanks to the special climate, the car-free village of Quinten is known for its wine production.
Activities (Summer & Winter)
Summer Activities
Hiking & Biking: Extensive network of hiking and mountain biking trails, including the challenging trails around the Churfirsten and the scenic paths on Flumserberg. A continuous bike route runs along the southern shore.
Water Sports: The clean lake is excellent for swimming, paddleboarding (SUP), kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing.
Boat Trips: Passenger boats operate regular routes, providing the best views of the steep cliffs and waterfalls, and serving the car-free village of Quinten. Fun options like inflatable boat trips are also available.
Mountain Adventures: Attractions on Flumserberg include a summer toboggan run (Floomzer) and the Cliimber climbing tower.
Paragliding: A popular activity offering spectacular views of the lake and mountains.
Winter Activities
Skiing and Snowboarding: The resort area of Flumserberg is the primary winter sports destination, offering 65 kilometers of slopes, easily accessible from the lake shore via the SeeJet gondola from Unterterzen.
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing: Flumserberg also offers trails for cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing and winter hiking tours are available on the surrounding mountains.
Dog Sledding: Offered at Flumserberg.
Sledging: Sledging and night sledging trails are available at Flumserberg.
Relaxation: A lake-side sauna can be enjoyed between October and April in Murg.
Shops and Festivals
Shopping: The region is not a major shopping destination, but key attractions include:
House of Läderach: The headquarters and factory of the renowned Swiss chocolate company are located in Bilten, near the lake's western end, offering tours and tastings.
Local Markets: Small markets, such as the Market in Amden, offer local goods and atmosphere.
Festivals and Events: The region hosts a variety of events throughout the year:
Walensee Stage: An open-air theatre in Walenstadt, on the eastern shore, regularly performs musicals.
Brunch Boats: Popular pleasure cruises on the lake.
Traditional Festivals: Events like the Bauernchilbi (Farmer's fair), Cattle Shows, and the Uusdrinketä Alp Oberchäseren (Farm Festival) reflect local agricultural traditions, often taking place in the autumn.
Other Events: These can include Christmas markets (e.g., in Amden), concerts (e.g., November Blues in Weesen), and various culinary and gourmet hikes.
Description and History
The Walensee is often described as resembling a Norwegian fjord due to its dramatic landscape.
Geography: The lake is long and narrow, nestled between the steep, majestic limestone cliffs of the Churfirsten mountains to the north and the Glarus Alps to the south, where the Flumserberg resort area is located.
Glacial Formation: The valley was hollowed out by the powerful Rhine glacier.
Geological Significance: The region is highly interesting from a geological perspective, particularly for the Glarus Overthrust (part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tectonic Arena Sardona), which showed older rock layers resting on top of younger ones—a topic of intense scientific debate in the early 20th century.
Hydrology: It has a maximum depth of 151 meters and is known for its crystal-clear, clean water, with visibility up to 24 meters. The main inflow is the Linth River (via the Escherkanal), and it flows out through the Linth canal toward Lake Zurich.
Car-Free Village: The village of Quinten on the north shore is unique in Switzerland because it is only accessible by boat or on foot. It benefits from a Mediterranean microclimate (often called the "Riviera of Eastern Switzerland") that allows for the cultivation of grapes for wine, as well as figs and kiwis.
Name Origin: The name "Walensee" means 'Lake of the Walhaz' (Welschen), as it formed a linguistic border between the Germanic Alemanni settlers and the Romansh-speaking people in the early Middle Ages.
Cultural Reference: The lake was the inspiration for the solo piano piece Au lac de Wallenstadt by Romantic composer Franz Liszt.
Nature and Ecology
Mountain Landscape: The Churfirsten mountain range rises steeply on the northern side, providing a spectacular backdrop and popular hiking peaks.
Waterfalls: The region is home to stunning waterfalls, notably the Seerenbach Falls, which cascade down the steep cliffs and are among the most impressive in Europe.
Flora: The mild climate in areas like Quinten supports fig trees, and there are mixed chestnut and lime forests around the lake. The Murg Valley features a protected Arolla pine forest reserve.
Fauna: The small Schnittlauchinsel (Chives Island), the only island in the lake, is home to a colony of mute swans.
Lake Conservation: The lake's cold temperatures contribute to its cleanliness, and the clear, emerald-green water invites swimming at natural beaches like Gäsi and Betlis.
Typical Foods
The cuisine in the Walensee area is part of the broader culinary tradition of Eastern Switzerland and the German-speaking Swiss region.
Lake Fish: Freshly caught lake fish like whitefish (Felchen), perch (Egli), and pike are popular in lakeside restaurants.
Regional Swiss Staples: Common dishes include Swiss classics like:
Rösti: Grated, fried potato rounds.
St. Galler Bratwurst: A famous local sausage (often eaten without mustard).
Fondue and Raclette: Cheese-based dishes popular across Switzerland.
Glarus Specialties: Being partly in the Canton of Glarus, dishes like Kalberwurst (a white sausage) are also part of the regional cuisine.
Local Produce: Thanks to the special climate, the car-free village of Quinten is known for its wine production.
Activities (Summer & Winter)
Summer Activities
Hiking & Biking: Extensive network of hiking and mountain biking trails, including the challenging trails around the Churfirsten and the scenic paths on Flumserberg. A continuous bike route runs along the southern shore.
Water Sports: The clean lake is excellent for swimming, paddleboarding (SUP), kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing.
Boat Trips: Passenger boats operate regular routes, providing the best views of the steep cliffs and waterfalls, and serving the car-free village of Quinten. Fun options like inflatable boat trips are also available.
Mountain Adventures: Attractions on Flumserberg include a summer toboggan run (Floomzer) and the Cliimber climbing tower.
Paragliding: A popular activity offering spectacular views of the lake and mountains.
Winter Activities
Skiing and Snowboarding: The resort area of Flumserberg is the primary winter sports destination, offering 65 kilometers of slopes, easily accessible from the lake shore via the SeeJet gondola from Unterterzen.
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing: Flumserberg also offers trails for cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing and winter hiking tours are available on the surrounding mountains.
Dog Sledding: Offered at Flumserberg.
Sledging: Sledging and night sledging trails are available at Flumserberg.
Relaxation: A lake-side sauna can be enjoyed between October and April in Murg.
Shops and Festivals
Shopping: The region is not a major shopping destination, but key attractions include:
House of Läderach: The headquarters and factory of the renowned Swiss chocolate company are located in Bilten, near the lake's western end, offering tours and tastings.
Local Markets: Small markets, such as the Market in Amden, offer local goods and atmosphere.
Festivals and Events: The region hosts a variety of events throughout the year:
Walensee Stage: An open-air theatre in Walenstadt, on the eastern shore, regularly performs musicals.
Brunch Boats: Popular pleasure cruises on the lake.
Traditional Festivals: Events like the Bauernchilbi (Farmer's fair), Cattle Shows, and the Uusdrinketä Alp Oberchäseren (Farm Festival) reflect local agricultural traditions, often taking place in the autumn.
Other Events: These can include Christmas markets (e.g., in Amden), concerts (e.g., November Blues in Weesen), and various culinary and gourmet hikes.
Click to show the map