Gersau on Lake Lucerne: Village History and Rigi

Gersau lies on the shores of Lake Lucerne and is a municipality and district in the canton of Schwyz. The sheltered hollow on Rigi’s sunny southern slope shapes the village: the area stretches from the lakeshore up to the Rigi Scheidegg viewpoint at 1,656 metres. Gersau brings together village history, water activities and trails into the mountain landscape. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, these different sides of the village can help you plan your stay.

Lakeshore and trails on Rigi

Lake Lucerne at Gersau offers opportunities for swimming, sailing and windsurfing. During the season, Cholplatz lido has a large non-swimmer pool with a waterslide and sandbox. There is also a three-metre diving platform, a beach volleyball court and a stand-up paddleboard rental station. Information about the lido is seasonal; plan your visit accordingly.

The hiking trails also offer different experiences. The Rigi Scheidegg trail leads from Gersau to Rigi Scheidegg. The route details list a distance of 8 kilometres, a duration of 3 hours and 50 minutes, and 1,250 metres of ascent. Check the route details before setting out. Along the way, the trail passes the Gersau silk factory, a geological information board and the water intake used to generate electricity for the silk factory. It also runs past alpine farms inhabited year-round, crosses Gersau Alp with its lush alpine meadows, and reaches Rigi Burggeist and Rigi Scheidegg.

Another hiking stage is part of the Waldstätterweg: it leads from Brunnen via Gersau to Vitznau, first along the lakeshore and then through the Oberholz forest. The two routes therefore offer different views of the landscape: one follows the trail from Gersau up to Rigi, while the other is a stage combining lakeshore and forest. Which one suits your travel plans depends on the route you would like to take.

Gersau’s history at the Old Town Hall

For many centuries, Gersau was an independent microstate in a lasting alliance with the Swiss Confederation. The former republic is also a subject of the Gersau Local History Museum. Opened in 1984, the museum is housed in the Old Town Hall, built in 1745, and includes information about the former republic’s own army and judicial system.

Visitors can also discover details about the furnishings and history of the Old Town Hall. Today, the council chamber is presented in the Louis XVI style. A tiled stove dated 1788 and signed by Johann Jost Nigg is richly painted in the Rococo style. A copy of the imperial charter dated 31 October 1433 is also on display. In it, Emperor Sigismund confirmed the Gersau people’s ancient freedoms and rights.

The Local History Museum’s subjects also include a photo exhibition on the Stradivari instruments of the Habisreutinger Foundation, permanent exhibitions about Josef Maria Camenzind and Benno Ammann, and a room devoted to the history of silk in Gersau. The museum also presents information about the Swedish national author August Strindberg and an exhibition about tourism in earlier times. Exhibitions may change. Those who prefer to learn about local history in the context of the village can book a guided village tour: it introduces the history of the former “free republic” and visits picturesque spots, the Baroque parish church of St. Marzellus, the Old Town Hall and stately mansions. Check the dates before your visit.

Winter activities and local specialities

In winter, Rigi Burggeist offers 5 kilometres of groomed slopes for skiing and snowboarding. There are children’s ski lifts at Scheidegg and Burggeist. Snowshoe trails are also available at Rigi Burggeist; sleds and snowshoes can be rented at the mountain station of the Obergschwend–Rigi Burggeist aerial cableway. There is also a sled run from Rigi Burggeist. These activities are seasonal; check operating status and rental equipment availability before your trip.

The valley station of the Obergschwend–Rigi Burggeist aerial cableway is 4 kilometres above Gersau. It can be reached by private car via a mountain road or by mountain bus. Check access and transport conditions before setting off. This makes it possible to combine a stay by the lake with a planned trip to the winter activities, while keeping seasonal conditions in mind.

Music and food are also part of what the village has to offer. The annual “Der Herbst” music festival features national and international artists; the StradivariFEST takes place in Gersau every year for music lovers. It is advisable to check the programme and dates for both events in advance. The Traube restaurant in Gersau is known for its speciality, Gersau cheese tart baked in a steam oven. Check before your trip whether the cheese tart is available. This way, you can choose a hotel based on the experiences that interest you most in Gersau—from village history and music to lake activities or a seasonal winter stay.

Discover more destinations: Gersau, Gersau, March, Einsiedeln, Schwyz, Küssnacht, Höfe.

Return to the main travel overview: Schwyz.