Mauensee: Lake, Landscape and History

Mauensee lies on the eastern edge of the Wauwilermoos, between the moraine hills of Santenberg and Leidenberg. The largely unspoilt, tranquil landscape shapes the area, as do the lake and the village’s history. If you are looking for a hotel in Mauensee, you could start by considering what interests you most: the paths and protected lakeshore, the historic village centre or Kaltbach’s cheese-making tradition.

Lake and Protected Landscape

Mauensee and its immediate surroundings are designated as a protected area. The protection regulations require existing lakeside paths to be maintained and kept open permanently. The lake is also part of a landscape that has changed considerably over time: there were once three lakes on the present-day moorland plain of the Wauwilermoos. Mauensee is the remaining lake; the others gradually silted up or were drained as a result of peat extraction in the mid-19th century.

If you are planning a stay by the lake, it is important to know that swimming, bathing and fishing are not permitted in Mauensee. The path around the lake, on the other hand, offers a way to experience the lakeshore on foot. In wet weather, you will need sturdy footwear on the hiking trail. Bicycles are also prohibited around Mauensee, so plan your visit to the lake as a walk and take the trail conditions into account when it rains.

Hiking by the Lake and on the Hills

Those who enjoy walking will find more hiking options in the landscape, in addition to the path around Mauensee. In summer, the forests of Leidenberg and Santenberg offer shady hiking routes. The “Springtime Delights in Lucerne” route follows a well-marked hiking trail through the Sursiwald to Mauensee. It differs from the path by the lake: this route passes through the forest to the lake, while the other path follows its shoreline.

These two options give your planning a clear direction. If you mainly want to experience the lakeside on foot, choose the path around the lake and remember to wear sturdy footwear in wet weather. If you prefer a hiking route through the Sursiwald, “Springtime Delights in Lucerne” leads to Mauensee. For shady stretches in summer, the forests on both moraine hills offer hiking routes in their own right.

Village Centre, Chapels and Castle History

The village centre lies west of the lake. Its dense cluster of farmhouses, a cheese dairy and St. Rochus Chapel offers a contrast to the open lakeshore. St. Eligius Chapel is also part of Mauensee’s history: it was first mentioned as a castle chapel in 1723 and rebuilt after the village fire of 1849. The two chapels therefore have different connections to local history.

Mauensee Castle is also closely connected with the history of the island. The earliest evidence of a castle on the largest of the four islands dates back to the 13th century; it may have been founded by the Barons of Büron. The present-day castle was built on the island in 1605, on the site of a medieval castle. An earlier reference has also been recorded: in 1184/1190, the castle and lake were listed together as “Moginse” in the register of Engelberg Abbey. The castle and lake are privately owned today.

Cheese and KALTBACH

In the village district of Kaltbach, Emmi Schweiz AG operates a sandstone cave where cheese matures naturally. Water and ice formed the KALTBACH cave more than 22 million years ago. Tours of the cave and product tastings are offered at the KALTBACH visitor centre. If you are planning a tour or tasting, check the current dates in advance. This lets you treat the visit as a separate focus alongside the hiking trails, landscape and historic sites.

Discover more destinations: Triengen, Beromünster, Wolhusen, Sursee, Grosswangen, Ruswil, Neuenkirch, Nottwil.

Go to the main travel overview: Sursee.