Schachen is a district of the municipality of Werthenstein in the canton of Lucerne. Several named routes pass through the area: the Emmenuferweg, the Lucerne Trail and a cycling tour through the Entlebuch. There is also the listed Herz-Jesu Chapel, with a special architectural detail. If you are looking for accommodation in Schachen, you can first decide whether your stay will focus mainly on the Kleine Emme, hiking, cycling or the chapel. The route details help you distinguish between different day plans.
Walking along the Kleine Emme
The fourth stage of the Emmenuferweg runs from Wolhusen along the banks of the Kleine Emme, through Schachen, Malters and Littau, to Emmenbrücke. The trail is signposted to Emmenbrücke with the markers “83 Emmenuferweg.” It passes directly by all BLS stations on the Lucerne–Schüpfheim line, allowing you to walk individual sections separately. Check current train connections and possible diversions when planning your trip.
The stage follows the Kleine Emme and offers numerous spots for a refreshing swim. Water levels and local rules can affect swimming conditions. If you plan to stop for a swim, take these conditions into account.
Another hiking stage
On its stage from Lucerne to Werthenstein, the Lucerne Trail passes through Malters and Schachen. The stage is 18.8 kilometers long, with a stated duration of 5 hours and 15 minutes. The trail includes both paved and natural-surface paths. This gives you both the distance and estimated time for the hike, while the varied surfaces provide another useful planning detail. Check the latest route information before setting out, as published measurements and the route may be updated.
Cycling through the Entlebuch
The “Energiegeladen durch Entlebuch” cycling tour descends from Rengg toward Schachen, Werthenstein and Wolhusen. Between Rengg and Schachen, it includes a roughly 7-kilometer section that is partly unpaved; surface conditions may vary seasonally. The approximate distance refers to this section, not the entire route. The full tour runs via Entlebuch, Rengg, Schachen, Werthenstein, Wolhusen, Doppleschwand, Habschwanden and Hasle, returning to Entlebuch. It follows SwitzerlandMobility routes R73 and R24. Before setting off, check the latest route details and conditions on the partly unpaved section.
Herz-Jesu Chapel and Schwinget
The Herz-Jesu Chapel in Schachen is a protected historic monument and was carefully restored in 2014. Its porch is a remnant of the Reuss Bridge at Seetalplatz—a specific architectural detail that gives the chapel a distinctive history. A church service is held on Sundays at 9:00 a.m.; additional services take place on public holidays and Christmas Eve. Since service times can change, check the current schedule before your visit.
At the 2024 Herbstschwinget Schachen, a total of 89 athletes brought the wrestling season to a close in front of 1,300 spectators. These figures refer to the 2024 event. If you are planning a stay around a Schwinget, check the dates of the specific event.
Schachen in the municipality of Werthenstein
Hills, forests and the Kleine Emme characterize the municipality of Werthenstein in the Lucerne hinterland, which includes Schachen among its districts. The municipality offers hiking trails, forest paths and viewpoints for active recreation. When choosing a route, it is worth distinguishing a specific stage from the municipality’s broader range of options: both the Emmenuferweg and the Lucerne Trail explicitly include Schachen in their routes. This lets you plan your stay around routes that pass directly through the area, or include other trails and viewpoints within the municipality.
Discover more destinations: Malters, Schwarzenberg, Rigi Kaltbad, Horw, Meierskappel, Buchrain, Weggis, Littau.
Return to the main travel overview: Lucerne.
