Discover Muotathal underground at Hölloch: the short guided tour is offered year-round, and the cave temperature is 6 °C throughout the year. It covers the first 700 metres via paths and stairs built more than 100 years ago. The consistently cool temperatures are worth bearing in mind when planning; warm clothing is advisable for your visit.
Caves, karst and Bödmeren Forest
Muotathal’s landscapes include the extensive Bödmeren-Silbern-Charetalp karst areas and the cave-rich region between Pragel and Bisistal, particularly Hölloch. The guided Bödmeren primeval forest excursion offers a different perspective on nature: it leads from bare high-alpine karst through pioneer plants to dense subalpine spruce forest. Bödmeren Forest is a primary subalpine spruce forest; its core area meets the criteria for a primeval forest. The cave tour focuses on constructed paths and stairs, while the excursion showcases a succession of different vegetation stages.
In the upper Muotathal, Glattalp is a natural area with alpine flora, grazing animals and Lake Glattalp. Hiking trails lead to the Pfaff viewpoint and towards Klausen Pass. The landscapes described range from karst and caves to alpine flora and mountain trails.
Winter walks and trails with a history
Winter walks offer a variety of scenery: the circular route to Guggelipass runs along the sunny side of the valley, passing forests, mountain streams, pastureland and viewpoints. A quieter winter walking trail follows the Muota along the embankment across the agriculturally used valley floor; it can be accessed from the Vordere Brücke bus stop or the Rambach car park. The trail runs past the mountain stream and flat farmland, with the surrounding mountain landscape all around.
The Guggeli route also links a trail with historic landmarks. It starts in Wil, the oldest part of the village of Muotathal, and passes St. Josef Monastery. Franciscan nuns still live and work there today. The monastery is also associated with the campaign of the Russian General Suvorov in 1799. Those interested in religious buildings and local history will find further points of interest at Altchloster, the parish church and the monastery complex.
Buildings, settlement traces and local traditions
Hundreds of abandoned settlement sites have been preserved within the municipality. Ruins of walls and other traces in the landscape bear witness to the nomadic herding culture of the Middle Ages. Altchloster, the old monastery church, is considered the oldest surviving building in the municipality. Its consecration document dates from 1347 and attests to a building with a late Romanesque ground plan.
The women’s community of the Muotathal convent joined the Franciscan Order in 1288. The present-day monastery complex was built between 1684 and 1693. The parish church, dedicated to Saints Sigismund and Walburga, was built between 1786 and 1793. Local architectural heritage also includes traditional farmhouses built using block construction, with projecting roofs and galleries. These buildings and settlement traces tell different chapters of the area’s history, from medieval ways of life and monastic traditions to later village architecture.
Another local speciality is the Muotathal weather prophets. They base their forecasts on observations of nature and animals, as well as local wind and weather conditions. They meet twice a year, in April and October. In the underground Selgis command post, protected murals are a key feature; it can be visited on a guided tour.
Another activity is Husky-Traum, which includes a short walk accompanied by huskies. Depending on the day’s schedule, visitors may also help care for and feed the pack. The different activities each have their own focus: cave trails, forest and winter walks, architectural history or encounters with animals.
Getting there and finding your way around
Muotathal can be reached via the A4 in the direction of Schwyz. The road over Pragel Pass is single-lane and open Monday to Friday. Check the seasonal and traffic restrictions on this road before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Schwyz, Goldau, Brunnen, Rickenbach bei Schwyz, Arth, Rothenthurm, Illgau, Steinen.
Back to the main travel overview: Schwyz.
