Greppen offers a range of highlights for a stay: chestnut culture surrounding the Chestene-Chilbi, hiking trails with Greppen as a destination or starting point, and the lakeside swimming area, with access to swimming and sunbathing. When looking for a holiday apartment, first consider which of these aspects of the village best suits your travel plans.
Chestene-Chilbi and chestnut culture
The Chestene-Chilbi in Greppen takes place on the fourth Sunday in October. The event includes more than 70 market stalls and festival tents, and is described as the largest market for chestnut products in German-speaking Switzerland. The Chilbi features or produces pastries, pasta and chestnut honey, as well as chestnut beer and liqueur. The IG Pro Kastanie Zentralschweiz (Central Switzerland Chestnut Association) founded the Cheschtene-Chilbi to raise awareness of the importance of the chestnut. If you are planning your trip around this festival, check the date for the specific year of the event.
Village character and history
The centre of Greppen is listed in the Swiss Inventory of Protected Townscapes. The pilgrimage church of St. Wendelin was built between 1645 and 1647. St. Wendelin’s parish church has remarkable stucco frames and three ceiling paintings above the choir. The municipal coat of arms also has a historical connection: it is based on a seal belonging to Johann von Greppen from 1330.
Lakeside swimming and protected landscape
The small Greppen lakeside swimming area, with its sandy beach, is right next to the boat harbour and offers access to the lake for swimming and sunbathing. Facilities include a raft, a lawn with a table-tennis table, changing rooms and a toilet. Alongside the hiking trails, this offers another way to spend time by the water.
The Breitenacherried offers a different perspective on the landscape: the marsh and the adjacent area of Lake Lucerne are protected to preserve the landscape and its wildlife and plant life.
Hiking trails with different routes
The Rigi Scheidegg–Greppen stage passes alpine pastures, a high-level trail and the scenic Felsenweg (Rock Trail). It then descends to Greppen along forest trails and alpine pastures. The Rigi Lehnenweg can be hiked from Greppen in several stages and runs alongside a restored chestnut forest. The two trails therefore differ in their direction: one stage leads to Greppen, while the Lehnenweg can be hiked from there in sections. The Chestene Trail offers panoramic views of Pilatus, the Central Swiss Pre-Alps, including Stanserhorn and Bürgenstock, and the Küssnacht lake basin.
A hike from Weggis to Greppen follows the lakeshore and goes through the forest, passing the Röhrli picnic area and the Haldihof organic farm. It continues into Greppen’s historic village centre; from there, you can take the bus back to Weggis. The hikes described thus differ in their landscapes and in whether Greppen is a starting point, a stage destination or the destination for a return journey.
Getting there and transport links
Greppen boat station is on the Lucerne–Küssnacht am Rigi route. Other transport links include the AAGS bus route, a night bus to Lucerne and SBB stations in Küssnacht am Rigi, Arth-Goldau and Lucerne. Together with the boat station, these provide several transport options to consider when planning your journey. Check the timetable for the service you plan to use on your travel date.
Discover more destinations: Meggen, Lucerne, Kriens, Rigi Kaltbad, Buchrain, Horw, Schwarzenberg, Meierskappel.
Back to the main travel overview: Lucerne.
