The Schwyz canton is the bedrock of Switzerland where the national flag was born and the original Federal Charter of 1291 is kept. You find yourself in a landscape of massive twin peaks known as the Mythen which dominate the skyline. The province is a mix of deep lake shores and high mountain plateaus like the Muotatal, famous for its massive Hölloch cave system.
Roads take you to the Stoosbahn, the world steepest funicular railway which climbs at a 110 percent gradient. You find yourself looking down at the Lauerzersee and the site of the historic Goldau landslide. Valleys are filled with ancient archives and museums that hold the original charters of the nation. It is a place where the past feels very close to the present.
Watch farmers moving their herds through the town center and hikers tackling the steep limestone trails. The mountains here are sharp and iconic providing a dramatic backdrop to every drive. Schwyz is the soul of the country and a place that feels deeply connected to the earth.
Schwyz (canton) highlights
- Stoos Steepest Funicular Ride the world record breaking railway that climbs at a 110 percent gradient to a sunny plateau. The barrel shaped cabins stay level as the mountain turns vertical.
- Grosser Mythen Peak Hike the zig zag path up the iconic red limestone peak that dominates the central skyline. The summit offers a breathtaking 360 degree view of the entire Alps.
- Einsiedeln Abbey Visit the massive black marble chapel inside this baroque monastery which has been a pilgrimage site for ages. The surrounding plaza is one of the largest in Europe.
- Hölloch Cave System Explore one of the largest cave networks in the world deep in the Muota valley. Guided tours take you through massive limestone chambers and underground rivers.
- Rütli Meadow Take a boat or hike to the historic field where the first three cantons swore their oath. This quiet grassy spot is considered the birthplace of the nation.
- Sattel Hochstuckli Skywalk Cross one of the longest pedestrian suspension bridges in the country hanging high above a valley. It is located at the top of a rotating cable car.
- Muotathal Weather Prophets Meet the local residents who predict the seasons based on observations of ants and pine cones. This deep valley is a stronghold of ancient mountain traditions.
- Lauerzersee Island Row out to the tiny island of Schwanau to see the ruins of a medieval castle. The lake is shallow and warm, surrounded by high mountains and forests.
- Ibergeregg Pass Drive this scenic route between Schwyz and Einsiedeln through thick pine forests and high moors. It is a favorite for local motorcyclists and photographers.
- Goldau Landslide Park Walk through the massive boulder field created by a catastrophic mountain collapse in 1806. Nature has reclaimed the rocks, creating a unique forest landscape.
The local Four
History of Schwyz (canton)
This is the foundational canton of the Swiss identity where the name Switzerland and the national flag were born. In 1291 the leaders of Schwyz met on a hidden meadow called the Rutli to sign a pact of mutual defense against the Habsburg dynasty. They were fierce high altitude warriors who specialized in ambush tactics in the narrow mountain gaps. Their victory at the Battle of Morgarten in 1315 proved that a small force of motivated peasants could defeat the finest knights in Europe.
The region wealth did not come from gold or trade but from the Victorinox blade and the Schwyz cattle. For centuries the people here were famous for breeding some of the heartiest livestock in the Alps driving their herds over the passes to Italian markets. This tough outdoor lifestyle led to the creation of the world famous Swiss Army Knife in the late 1800s which was a tool designed to be as versatile and durable as the mountain people who used it.
Despite its status as a revolutionary birthplace the canton has always been a sanctuary for tradition. The Abbey of Einsiedeln with its Black Madonna has been the spiritual center of the region for over a thousand years attracting millions of travelers. The history of the canton is a story of rugged independence and deep rooted faith. It is a land where ancient charters are kept in high security vaults and where the world steepest funicular railway now scales the same cliffs used by early rebels.