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Lake Walen
ℹ️Practical info — Lake Walen
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The best way to experience the lake is on a boat trip. The Walensee shipping company provides various round trips that provide spectacular views of the Churfirsten peaks.
- For a wide-open view, drive up to Amden or the Kerenzerberg. The Chapf viewpoint near Amden is particularly recommended.
- The north side of the lake is known for its mild, almost Mediterranean climate, a special feature created by the steep rock faces.
- Save money by bringing a picnic. There are many beautiful spots along the shore first-rate for this, offering an alternative to the often pricey restaurants.
🍽 Food
Try these crispy fried pieces of fish in one of the many restaurants right on the lakefront. They are often served with tartar sauce.
Taste the local wine from Quinten, which has a special aroma thanks to the Föhn wind and mild climate. Available in restaurants around the lake.
Look for local alpine cheese from the Flumserberg or Kerenzerberg region. Farm shops (Hofläden) are the best place to buy authentic cheese directly from the farmer.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Discover the numerous farm shops around the lake, especially on the Kerenzerberg. Here you'll find fresh, local products like cheese, sausages, bread, and honey.
Look out for small weekly or village markets in towns like Weesen or Mols, where local farmers and artisans offer their goods.
Take a hike to the impressive Seerenbach Falls near Betlis. The path to get there is quiet and gives a spectacular natural setting.
Escape the crowds with a hike or walk on the Kerenzerberg on the south side of the lake, offering fantastic views of the Churfirsten peaks.
The high plateau of Amden provides numerous quiet hiking trails, away from the hustle and bustle of the lakeside, with a unique view of the lake far below.
Water temperature…
Lake Walen is one of Switzerland's deepest and cleanest lakes. Located in the cantons of St. Gallen and Glarus, it is bordered to the north by the nearly vertical cliffs of the Churfirsten range. This rock face gives the lake its dramatic, almost Scandinavian character. Thanks to its sheltered position, the southern shore enjoys a mild climate where even palms and figs thrive. The lake is an Eldorado for water sports enthusiasts, from divers to sailors. A unique feature is the car-free village of Quinten, accessible only by boat. On the northern shore, the Seerenbach Falls plunge down, ranking among the highest waterfalls in Central Europe. The region is also closely linked to the story of Heidi; Maienfeld in Heidiland lies just above the lake. Tourist infrastructure includes ferry lines, lidos, and numerous hiking trails. In winter, the nearby Flumserberg ski resort attracts visitors with views over the lake. Arrival by train via the Zurich-Chur line is very easy, as the tracks run directly along the shore. The best time to visit is summer for swimmers and autumn for hikers when the air is particularly clear.
- Location: Switzerland
- Top sights: Strandbad Mühlehorn · Reformierte Kirche Mühlehorn · Heinrich Simon Denkmal
- Nearby: Glarus Nord (10 km)
- Population: ~2.715
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -4 | -4 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 2 | -3 |
| Rain mm | 101 | 81 | 102 | 107 | 163 | 176 | 173 | 190 | 124 | 110 | 103 | 106 |
Geography
Facts
- Maximum depth: 151 meters
- Lake length: approx. 15 km
- Water temperature rarely exceeds 20°C
- North face: Churfirsten (7 peaks)
- Seerenbach Falls: 585 meters high
- Main lakeside town: Weesen
- Passage for the Zurich-Chur railway
- Excellent water quality (drinking water)
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Lake Walen (11)
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Lake Walen?
Can you reach Quinten by car?
Which mountains surround Lake Walen?
Are there boat trips available on the lake?
Are the hiking trails around the lake difficult?
Lake Walen: where is it located?
Lake Walen: what is there to see?
Lake Walen: when is the best time to visit?
Lake Walen: why is it worth visiting?
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