Mountains to climb for a breathtaking sunrise at altitude, the Lake of Lucerne to discover by boat, and a little train that crosses the Alps. Central Switzerland offers all this and more.
In Switzerland, in the region of Lucerne, retired site manager Armin Schelbert has set a record: over 20 years he has climbed the Grosser Mythen no fewer than 4,600 times — keeping count in a personal summit diary — a mountain that, together with the Klein Mythen and the Haggenspitz, forms the Mythen massif in the heart of the country. Why so many times? Because this place holds an irresistible fascination for him: the 360-degree panorama at 1,898 metres above sea level and the sunrises seen from up there are worth, every single time, the effort of the climb.
To enjoy this beauty and savour its magic, a cable car departing from Schwyz takes just 10 minutes to reach Rotenflue, from where the Grosser Mythen is accessible. Around this massif, which is home to the largest nature reserve in the canton of Schwyz and a wealth of wildlife, there are numerous hiking trails. The one leading from Holzegg to the summit winds through 46 bends (all numbered to indicate one's position in an emergency) over a total distance of 2,400 metres with 500 metres of elevation gain: Armin covers it in 40 minutes, while normally, properly equipped with hiking boots and trekking poles, it takes 1 hour and 20 minutes. At the top, 1 August is celebrated as Swiss National Day with brunches and barbecues, but throughout the year farms offer traditional dishes, and for those wishing to extend their hike, more than 200 mountain inns provide overnight shelter.
It's not all about the mountains. Central Switzerland has another gem: Lake Lucerne. The best way to discover it? By boat, sailing its dark waters from bay to bay, flanked by rocky slopes and framed by snow-capped mountains in the background. The SGV vessels offer a variety of trips to suit every taste: from lunch cruises to a romantic sunset paddle steamer ride, to the crossing that takes you from Lucerne to Vitznau, where you can board the rack railway up to Mount Rigi with its 360-degree panorama spanning peaks and lakes (as many as 13 can be spotted!). Or you can opt for an itinerary that combines boat and rail: after three hours of sailing on the lake, you board the Gotthard Panoramic Express, the scenic train that crosses the famous Gotthard Tunnel, traversing the Alps and continuing its journey towards Ticino, on to Lugano and Bellinzona. Along the route, count how many times you can spot the church of Wassen: it is the symbol of this itinerary and can be admired three times from three different perspectives. And that is just one of the highlights of this extraordinary journey! For all the information you need for a holiday in Switzerland, visit svizzera.it.
