A short family vacation in the heart of Schwyz
If you're short on time but eager to get away, Central Switzerland is the place for you. The mountains and lakes of Canton Schwyz are not only ideal for day trips, but also for short family breaks.
So Good, So Near
When adventure calls, you don’t have to travel far. Close to the vibrant cities of Zurich, Lucerne and Zug, Canton Schwyz is a playground for young and old. To discover the diversity of this region first-hand, we spent 48 hours exploring it on foot, by boat, by bus and by train.
Arriving comfortably by Schweizerische Südostbahn (SOB) in Rothenthurm, we started with the “Krafthweg”, a power-packed adventure trail with panoramic views. What fun we had, flexing our muscles and challenging each other to jump over the bear steps and to balance on the slackline. We didn’t mind that the fog was clouding the view, because we knew that our next destination would make up for it. We took the world’s steepest funicular up to Stoos and spent a night under the stars at “Stoos Hüttä”.
The next morning, we were treated to a spectacular summit view on Fronalpstock and interesting facts on the “Stooshorn circular trail” ,before taking the gondola back down to the valley. There, we rounded off our short break in style with an adventurous boat trip on Lake Uri and a large portion of ice cream.
Rothenthurm: Throw Stones Like Obelix
Who can throw the stone the furthest? Who can run the fastest up the stairs? The “Krafthweg” reveals the answers. The 9.6 km themed trail took us from Rothenthurm railroad station, accessible by SOB, over the Morgartenberg to interactive stations, barbecue areas and picnic spots. An adventurous hike off the beaten track.
Tip: If the weather turns unexpectedly, as it did in our case, there is a shelter at Kugelstosserplatz in Gärtenboden.
Stoos: high up in the mountains
Travelling to Stoos was an experience in itself. From the valley station, accessible by bus from Schwyz, the world’s steepest funicular took us up to the mountain village at 1,305 m above sea level in just four minutes. At the top, we immediately felt far away from everything, surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery.
Tip: Whether you take the funicular, cable car or chairlift in summer, children travel for free on the Stoos with the Junior Card or Children’s Co-travelcard.
The funicular is wheelchair-accessible and suitable for baby carriages.
Stoos Hüttä: Reach for the Stars
The seventh heaven is on Stoos. On a starry night, we seemed to float above the world in the mountain hotel “Stoos Hüttä”. The family rooms with their oversized windows were cozy, the cuisine made from regional products was excellent and the playground in front of the hotel was perfect for fun in between courses.
Tip: Pack light – the 15-minute walk from the Stoosbahn mountain station to the «Stoos Hüttä» is quite steep.
Fronalpstock: With a view of over 10 lakes
It’s worth getting up early – mornings on Fronalpstock at 1,922 meters above sea level are so spectacular that the tourism board offers special sunrise trips. Our ascent by chairlift in the sun, rain and fog proved to be a real adventure and the views from the summit were magnificent, with cloudbursts gradually revealing lakes, forests, villages and mountains.
Tip: On the way to the chairlift station, it’s worth making a detour to Stoos-Seeli with its water playground, moorland path, fire pits and picnic areas.
Stooshorn Circuit Trail: Mountain Village Tour
A giant swing and a door to nowhere – interactive stations made this 2.8 km long walk an entertaining experience. Using a QR code, we were able to listen to short stories that gave us exciting insights into life in the mountain village.
Tip: The trail is wheelchair accessible and suitable for baby carriages.
Lake Uri: Shimmering Diamonds
Only this morning, Lake Uri had been sparkling at our feet. Now, after a short gondola and bus ride it lay before us like a deep fjord between steep banks. In Brunnen, we boarded the motorboat “Diamant” and discovered more than just scenic and cultural highlights on our round trip to Flüelen. On board, we stretched out our feet in the lake water foot bath and even peered underwater in the «Nautilus Room». For a fitting finale in Brunnen, we stopped off at “Dave’s Gelateria Artigiana” and treated ourselves to a homemade gelato.
Fresh mountain air for the soul
In just 48 hours, we discovered a part of the canton of Schwyz as a family and returned full of impressions. It’s amazing how much two days away can feel like a whole week’s vacation! The fresh mountain air, coupled with a mixture of sporting activities and plenty of time to relax, helped us to escape the daily grind. The program is perfect for families with small and older children and offers something for everyone.
Find out more about the accessibility of the program in the respective children’s region article and in the Ginto app.
An article by Corina Swan
Corina loves to discover new places with her husband and children. In her family travel & adventure blog «Packed Again», she writes about their experiences. Here you’ll find tips, travel routes, and lots of great ideas for your next trip in Switzerland and beyond.
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