Rain: Heart Route, chapels and Alpine views
Accommodation in Rain
Rain offers several distinct ways to explore during a stay: cycling routes, walking paths, scenic views and historic religious buildings shape the local experience.
Cycling routes and paths in Rain
The section of the Heart Route from Willisau to Zug passes through the municipality of Rain. The Hochstammland Tour leads via Römerswil to Rain and continues from Rain along the Heart Route to Hünenberg. The routes therefore differ in direction: on one, Rain lies between Willisau and Zug; on the other, the route continues from Rain to Hünenberg. Check current route conditions before setting out on a cycling tour.
Rain also has cycling routes, while its many walking and hiking paths offer additional ways to explore on foot. You can plan cycling and hiking separately rather than combining them into a single tour. When choosing between the two sections of the Heart Route, the route and destination are the main considerations.
Views and landscape
The Alpine range can be seen from Rain. In the hamlet of Gundolinge, between Rain and Hildisrieden, the «Herrgott is globt» chapel offers views of the municipality of Rain and the mountain panorama. There are therefore two distinct viewpoints: the Alpine range as seen from Rain, and the panorama from the chapel in Gundolinge.
The chapel also connects the landscape with a religious image: inside is a painting of Saint Eligius, patron saint of farriers. Another natural attraction is the nature reserve with a pond in Rain. Together with the viewpoints, these places offer different options if you want to focus your stay more on the landscape or on historic sites.
Churches, chapels and local history
The parish church of St. James in Rain was built in 1853–1854 by Wilhelm Keller in the neoclassical and Baroque styles. The church tower and facade were renovated in 2007. The architecture and renovation belong to different periods in the church’s history: the construction dates to the mid-19th century, while the work on the tower and facade took place in 2007.
Smaller religious buildings are also part of the local landscape. On a walk through Rain, you can discover eight wayside shrines. Chapels that are easy to explore on foot include the Adrian Chapel in Oberbueche, the Wendelin Chapel in Sandblatte, the St. Joder Chapel in SĂĽesstannen and the St. Eulogius Chapel in WĂĽesti. Rain also has eight wayside crosses that can be visited.
A Petermann monument stands in Gundolinge. Peter von Gundoldingen was Schultheiss of the canton of Lucerne and the leader of the Lucerne forces at the Battle of Sempach in 1386.
Tastings and local offerings
The company presentation at Pura Culina includes a tasting of various products from its range, as well as water and coffee. Sweet and savoury products are served before and after the presentation. This makes the tasting a distinct activity, with a different focus from a walk to churches and chapels.
Burri’s Hofgenuss AG’s farm shop at Sandblatte 7, 6026 Rain, sells distillates and fine spirits; collection is available. Product availability is seasonal, so it is worth checking the desired selection before your visit. GnossStobe, a restaurant and bakery, is right next to the church.
Getting there by public transport
Bus services from Rain connect to Lucerne, BeromĂĽnster and Reinach. In the morning, at midday and in the evening, there is a public transport connection via Hochdorf and Hildisrieden to Sempach Station, with connections to SBB express trains to Bern. The SBB stations at Rothenburg and EmmenbrĂĽcke Kapf are among the rail connections serving Rain.
Connections vary depending on your destination and the time of day. If you are planning to travel by public transport, check the timetable for your travel date, especially for the connection via Hochdorf and Hildisrieden to Sempach Station. This will help you align your journey with the aspects of Rain that matter most to you: cycling routes, walking paths, scenery or local history.
Discover more destinations: Römerswil, Retschwil, Schongau, Lieli, Ermensee, Hochdorf, Ballwil, Gelfingen
Go to the broader travel overview: Hochdorf.
