Lake Lucerne

Lake Lucerne (Deutsch. Vierwaldstättersee, lit. "Lake of the Four Forest Cantons") is a lake in central Switzerland, the fourth largest in the country. It lies approximately at coordinates .

The lake is a complicated shape, with bends and arms reaching from the city of Lucerne into the mountains. It has a total area of 114 km² (44 sq mi), an elevation of 434 m (1,424 ft), and a maximum depth of 214 m (702 ft). Its volume is 11.8 km³. Much of the shoreline rises steeply into mountains up to 1,500 m above the lake, resulting in many picturesque views including those of Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus. ]] It borders on the three original Swiss cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden (which today is divided into the Cantons of Obwalden and Nidwalden), as well as the canton of Lucerne, thus the name. Many of the oldest communities of Switzerland are along the shore, including Küssnacht, Weggis, Vitznau, Gersau, Brunnen, Altdorf, Buochs, and Treib. In addition, the meadow of the Rütli, traditional site of the founding of the Swiss Confederation, is on the southeast shore of the lake.

The Reuss River enters the lake at Flüelen (in the canton of Uri, the part called Urnersee) and exits at Lucerne. The lake also receives the Muota (at Brunnen) Engelberger Aa (at Buochs), the Sarner Aa (at Stansstad).

It is possible to circumnavigate the lake by road, though the route is slow, twisted, and goes through tunnels part of the way. Dozens of steamers ply between the different towns on the lake. It is a popular tourist destination, both for native Swiss and foreigners, and there are many hotels and resorts along the shores.

A 35km commemorative walkway, the Swiss Path, was built around the lake to celebrate the country's 700th anniversary.

The level of the lake is maintained by a pioneering needle dam in the Reuss River in Lucerne, just upstream from the Spreuerbrücke.

The lake's surface is the lowest point of the cantons of Uri, Obwalden and Nidwalden.

Cities and places on Lake Lucerne

Left shore ¹ Right shore


¹ At the entry of the Reuss River: the western, later southern shore.

External links

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Daniel Bachmann
18 January 2015
Switzerland's lake Lucerne is among the most scenic lakes in the world where I recommend to take the passenger ship from Lucerne to Brunnen and then Fluelen where you have excellent train connections!
M.G. Siegler
25 August 2014
Maybe the most beautiful lake in Switzerland. Which is saying a lot, obviously. I actually recommend taking one of the hour-long boat tours to see the whole thing.
Mike Kenyon
22 July 2013
If you get a chance to go for Lucerne Fest (it was July 1 this year), it's well worth the trip. Lots of people, good music and great fireworks. Makes a gorgeous place even more fun.
Social News Network
3 December 2013
There are plenty of students studying abroad around here, which is great for you. Rent a paddle boat and take it out on the lake. With the mountains and shops in the background, it's breath taking.
Q
20 July 2019
Moment of Zen.
Sandra
12 May 2018
Wir haben eine einstündige Rundfahrt auf dem See gemacht. Die Aussicht ist wunderbar. Ich empfehle euch frühzeitig auf dem Boot zu sein, wenn ihr einen guten Sitzplatz ergattern wollt.
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