DEHUROEN

Plizio Visual Lab

Muota River

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
River
—°10
Muota River (Switzerland)

Weather…

The Muota is a 33-kilometer-long river in the Canton of Schwyz, originating in the headwaters above the Bisis Valley. It flows through the Muota Valley and joins Lake Lucerne at Brunnen. The river is most famous for the Hölloch, one of the world's largest karst cave systems, which was shaped over millennia by the drainage and erosive power of the Muota and its tributaries. The Muota has a wild and often unpredictable character, frequently experiencing massive rises in water levels during snowmelt or heavy rainfall. Historically, the river was used for timber floating, transporting wood from the valley's dense forests toward Lake Lucerne. Today, the Muota is a popular destination for whitewater paddlers and fly fishers who appreciate the natural dynamics of the waterway.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-4-415101416151172-3
Rain mm10181102107163176173190124110103106

📋 Practical info

🧭
Getting there
The river flows through the Muotatal valley in the canton of Schwyz and is easily accessible by car or bus from Schwyz. The valley road runs mostly parallel to the water, providing access to various entry points.
📅
Best season
The best time for hiking along the banks is from May to October. Water sports enthusiasts should monitor water levels, as the Muota carries a lot of water and becomes very rapid during the spring snowmelt.
⛰️
Terrain & paths
The paths on the valley floor are mostly flat and family-friendly, while trails in the gorges can be steeper and rockier. Near the banks, you can often find gravel banks that are accessible depending on water levels.
🎒
What to bring
Good hiking shoes with a grippy sole are important for the steep sections in the gorges. For activities in or near the water, waterproof clothing is recommended, as well as good skin protection in sunny weather.
🅿️
Parking
Parking spaces can be found in villages like Muotathal or Ried, as well as at marked hiking car parks along the valley road. On popular summer days, spaces at the gorge entrances may be limited for visitors.
⚠️
Safety
Beware of sudden rises in the water level after thunderstorms in the mountains. The water is very cold even in summer; children should be supervised on the banks as the current can be treacherous and strong.
⏱️
Time needed
Depending on the activity, a stay can last from 1 hour for a short stop to a full day for an extensive hike. Combining a riverside excursion with a visit to the nearby Hölloch cave system is highly recommended.

Geography

Coordinates
46.95000, 8.60000

Facts

  • Total length of 33 km
  • Drainage basin covers 316 km²
  • Carved out the Hölloch cave system
  • Flows into Lake Lucerne at Brunnen
  • Historically used for timber floating
  • Flows through Bisistal and Muota Valley

Explore nearby

Notable places around

IngenbohlIngenbohl5 km · NExplore →
StoosStoos6 km · NEExplore →
AltdorfAltdorf8 km · SEExplore →
SchwyzSchwyz9 km · NEExplore →
Grosser MythenGrosser Mythen9 km · NEExplore →
BeckenriedBeckenried10 km · WExplore →
VitznauVitznau11 km · NWExplore →
Goldau Nature and Animal ParkGoldau Nature and Animal Park11 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Muota River (10)

Schlösschen Beroldingen🏰 castle

Small castle in Switzerland, former noble residence on the road to Seelisberg.

Teufelsmünster

Steep rock faces on both sides with a scree slope of coarse gravel in between.

Schwandenfluh

Viewpoint above the Muota valley, offering views of the surrounding mountains.

St. Josefskirche

Church building in Sisikon, canton Uri, simple village church by the lake.

Marienhöhe

Viewpoint with a view of Lake Uri and the Alps.

Dachsenlöcher

Viewpoint along the trail, known for its rock formations.

Tellskapelle

Chapel in Sisikon, Uri, commemorating the William Tell legend.

Kath. Kirche St. Ida

Catholic church in the municipality, dedicated to Saint Ida.

Lieu du serment

Historic site where the Rütli Oath is said to have been taken.

Badestrand Bauen

Public beach on Lake Uri, suitable for swimming and relaxing.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Which valley does the Muota flow through?
The Muota flows through the Muotatal valley in the Canton of Schwyz.
Is the Muota suitable for rafting?
Yes, with sufficient water levels, it is a popular area for canoeing and rafting tours.
What is the Hölloch near the Muota?
The Hölloch is one of the largest cave systems in the world and is located right in the Muotatal.
Can you hike along the river?
Yes, there are beautiful hiking trails, some of which lead directly along the banks of the wild Muota.
Does the Muota flow into a lake?
Yes, the Muota flows into Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee) near Brunnen.
Muota River: where is it located?
Muota River is located in Switzerland.
Muota River: what is there to see?
Highlights include Schlösschen Beroldingen, Teufelsmünster, Schwandenfluh.
Muota River: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Muota River: why is it worth visiting?
The Muota is a 33-kilometer-long river in the Canton of Schwyz, originating in the headwaters above the Bisis Valley.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Switzerland →

Nearby cities

Bellinzona — Muota River (Switzerland)
Bellinzona
Bellinzona is the capital of the canton of Ticino.
Köniz — Muota River (Switzerland)
Köniz
Köniz is a municipality located directly south of Bern.
Uster — Muota River (Switzerland)
Uster
Uster is the third-largest city in the Canton of Zurich, located by Lake Greifensee.
Emmen — Muota River (Switzerland)
Emmen
Emmen is a significant city in the Canton of Lucerne.
Zug — Muota River (Switzerland)
Zug
Zug is the capital of the eponymous canton and lies on the shores of Lake Zug.
Frauenfeld — Muota River (Switzerland)
Frauenfeld
Frauenfeld is the capital of the Canton of Thurgau, located in the broad Murg Valley.
Wetzikon — Muota River (Switzerland)
Wetzikon
Wetzikon is a city in the Zurich Oberland on the shores of Lake Pfäffikersee.
Horgen — Muota River (Switzerland)
Horgen
Horgen is located on the left bank of Lake Zurich and is the capital of the eponymous district.
Kreuzlingen — Muota River (Switzerland)
Kreuzlingen
Kreuzlingen is located on Lake Constance in the Canton of Thurgau and forms a cross-border metropolitan area together with the German cit…
Aarau — Muota River (Switzerland)
Aarau
Aarau is the capital of the Canton of Aargau, located on the Aare River at the southern foot of the Jura.
Dietikon — Muota River (Switzerland)
Dietikon
Dietikon is the capital of the eponymous district in the Limmat Valley.
Baar — Muota River (Switzerland)
Baar
Baar is located north of Zug and is the second-largest municipality in the canton.
Dübendorf — Muota River (Switzerland)
Dübendorf
Dübendorf is located in the Glatt Valley, northeast of Zurich.
Olten — Muota River (Switzerland)
Olten
Olten is the largest city in the Canton of Solothurn and the most important railway junction in Switzerland.
Wettingen — Muota River (Switzerland)
Wettingen
Wettingen is the most populous municipality in the Canton of Aargau.

History & landmarks

Sankt Gallen — Muota River (Switzerland)
Sankt Gallen
A major city in Eastern Switzerland famous for its UNESCO-listed Abbey District.