The famous Federal Charter of 1291 takes centre stage at the Federal Charter Museum in Schwyz. The exhibition showcases the most important alliances of the Old Swiss Confederacy, while a unique collection of flags offers another perspective on this history. At the Forum of Swiss History, the permanent exhibition “The Making of Switzerland: From the 12th to the 14th Century” explores the medieval conditions that led to the formation of the Old Swiss Confederacy. Designed as an interactive trail, it is suitable for children and adults. The walk-in “Black Room” offers a glimpse into medieval domestic life.
The canton of Schwyz is considered one of the founding cantons, and its customs and traditions are still actively maintained. The founding story of Switzerland and the legend of William Tell are rooted in the region around Schwyz; you can hike in the footsteps of these stories along the “Path of Switzerland.” In Muotathal, the Altchloster, the old monastery church, is believed to be the community’s oldest surviving building. Its consecration document dates from 1347 and attests to a building with a late Romanesque basic structure. On Stoos, the Fronalp Trail offers insights into alpine herders’ lives, traditions and rituals at eleven stops; the alpine blessing and medicinal plants are among the featured highlights.
Moorland, forest and cave
The Bödmeren Forest, on the route to the Pragel Pass, is a primary subalpine spruce forest. Its core area meets the criteria for a primeval forest, and you can explore the forest on official hiking trails. Near Rothenthurm, the Moorland Trail passes through a protected moorland of outstanding beauty and national importance. It includes Switzerland’s largest remaining raised bog and heathland, covering an area of more than 100 hectares. The Moorland Trail is 10 kilometres long and takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Seasonal conditions may affect access, so check them before setting out.
The Hölloch opens up a different dimension and is considered one of the largest cave systems on Earth. In its more than 100-year history of exploration, around 190 kilometres have been surveyed so far; this distance may grow as exploration continues. If you are planning a tour, you can join a scheduled Hölloch tour and book directly through the booking system. Check the booking options for your preferred date.
Trails to suit your time and interests
Hiking options in the canton range from short walks to longer tours. Rondo’s Puzzle Trail is about 1.8 kilometres long and takes around 30 minutes, with eight varied puzzle stations along the way. It is suitable for pushchairs and is open in both summer and winter; current availability may change. At Fronalpstock, the viewing platform offers views of numerous Alpine foothills peaks and more than ten lakes. A playground and, in summer, a petting zoo with young goats are right next to it.
Trail profiles can also help you choose: the Fronalpstock Panorama Trail is relatively flat and accessible with an all-terrain pushchair. The hike along the ridge trail from Klingenstock to Fronalpstock takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. On Mount Rigi, the 7.1-kilometre, barrier-free Panorama Trail offers 360-degree views of the Alpine landscape. There are trails of different lengths and with different features to choose from, so you don’t have to cover every aspect in a single day of hiking.
Winter experiences and practical information
The winter sports area at Fronalpstock and Klingenstock has 35 kilometres of pistes, cross-country ski trails, a snowpark and winter hiking trails groomed daily. The airboarding run at Fronalpstock is 2 kilometres long and leads to the chairlift mid-station. As winter activities and grooming schedules are seasonal, check the latest information before your visit.
The car-free mountain village of Stoos is served by the Stoos cableways, including the Schwyz–Stoos funicular and the Morschach–Stoos aerial cableway. The funicular from Schwyz to Stoos is considered the steepest in the world. Services and travel times depend on the season or timetable; check the current timetable for your trip. For travel to the cantonal capital of Schwyz, the connection from Zurich is another useful guide: the train journey from Zurich main station to Schwyz takes about an hour.
Discover more subregions: Schwyz, Küssnacht, Höfe, March, Einsiedeln, Gersau.
Discover more destinations: Zurich, Thurgau.
Back to the main travel overview: Switzerland.
