Family bike ride along the Ägeri Lake

My kids have been hassling me to dust off our bikes and go for a family bike ride all year long. I love a family bike ride, but riding in traffic with my precious cargo behind me makes me anxious. So, while searching for a place where we could safely ride around our home canton of Zug, I discovered the Zug bike map. At first glance it seems the map caters to more experienced family bike riders, but once I took a closer look and got a little creative, I was able to map out a bike route for any ability.

Our family’s various abilities required something relatively flat, on quiet roads (or ideally car free), and we found that on Route 5. As a bonus we could ride to the Morgarten Monument to give the kids a history lesson as well. So before the weather got too cold to ride, we dusted off our bikes, pumped up the tyres, loaded the car, and headed up to Unterägeri.

Route 5 starting point: Unterägeri

Whether you come by car or bus, let your vehicle of choice get you up the big hill from Zug to your starting point in Unterägeri. We parked our car (loaded with 4 bikes and a bike trailer for the 4 year old) at the lakeside carpark on the left as you leave Unterägeri. Another option is to take your bikes on to bus number 1 (direction: Oberägeri) from the Zug Train station, not forgetting to hop off at bus stop “Seefeld” next to the Seminar Hotel in Unterägeri.

With our helmets on, we made our way from the centre of town following Route 5 through the quiet back streets of Unterägeri, perfect for that safe on the road riding practice we were looking for (head towards Wildbrunnenstrasse). Once we passed the local campground, it wasn’t long before we were off the road, and on to an easy and relatively flat gravel path that hugs the lake shoreline all the way to Morgarten. We rode past farms with self service farm shops, picnic spots, more campgrounds as well as places to swim (noted for next summer!).

Once we arrived into Morgarten we headed straight to the Morgarten Monument, where it’s worth it to hop off your bikes and climb up the steps for a lovely view over the Ägeri valley. This large stone structure perched high on a hill commemorates the battle of Morgarten in 1315 – where the Swiss confederate Army ambushed the Habsburg soldiers – an important part of Swiss history.

Where to eat?

If you’re already hungry once you get to Morgarten, consider lunch at the Hotel Morgarten before you continue on. My kids highly recommend the ice cream selection! For those who prefer a picnic, you are spoiled for places to stop along the way. Next time we’ll bring along some sausages for the fire pit just at the edge of the forest (Unterägeri end), but for this trip we decided on a cool drink at the mini-golf Kiosk in Unterägeri.

Getting back

Riding back the way we came, which we did, is not your only option to get back to your starting point in Unterägeri. Consider continuing riding around the entire Ägeri lake (this time along the main road) or why not check if the boat between Morgarten to Unterägeri is running to experience the valley from the water. The boat stops at Morgarten twice or three times daily through mid-October and restarts again in the warmer months.

Or for those with stronger and more experienced bike riding legs who are looking for more of a challenge, why not complete the entire 27 km route 5 which continues up a 650 m elevation to Raten for panaromic views over the Ägeri valley.

Which ever way you return to Unterägeri, if the kids still have energy to spare, why not reward the kids for a job well done with a visit to the lakeside park “Birkenwäldli” or a family game of mini golf?

A check list for your next bike ride

• Pumped up tyres
• Bell for your bike
• Water bottles and snacks
• Zug bike map

Tips and links Children’s Region

Bike Tours with Children