Discover Wangen: Nature, Trails and Cultural Heritage

Wangen lies at the foot of Buechberg. In the Linth Plain, at the foot of the Pre-Alps between Lake Zurich and the Schwyz mountains, fields, meadows and small streams shape the landscape. Hiking and cycling trails run through the Linth Plain and along nearby Lake Zurich, offering views of the Pre-Alps. When choosing a hotel, you may have different priorities: the Nuoler Ried nature reserve, the town’s architectural history or trails with specific starting and finishing points.

Nuoler Ried on upper Lake Zurich

Between Nuolen and Wangen-Lachen Airport, the Nuoler Ried nature reserve lies on the shore of upper Lake Zurich, within the municipality of Wangen. It is a breeding area for Eurasian curlews and northern lapwings. The Nuoler Ried fen is among the areas listed in the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments of National Importance. The Ried thus combines a lakeside location with a protected natural area and particular importance for birds.

The area has gravel paths and paved paths, used by walkers, among others. Together with the trails through the Linth Plain and along nearby Lake Zurich, the Ried offers a distinctive nature-focused option among Wangen’s varied landscapes.

Parish Church and St. Wendelin Chapel

The Parish Church of St. Columban is documented as one of the oldest churches on upper Lake Zurich. The present building dates back to the late Gothic period. St. Wendelin Chapel offers a different point of reference in time: it was built in 1941 in a simple, historicist architectural style, replacing an earlier building from the late 17th century.

The chapel houses the oldest bell in the March region, dating from 1379. The chapel is also classified as an object of local importance. Those interested in architectural history will find two distinct points of reference here: the parish church’s late Gothic building and the more recent chapel, which carries on the legacy of a predecessor dating from the late 17th century.

Trails around Wangen

The approximately 37-kilometre circular route around Obersee can be explored on foot or by bike. It runs mostly along official hiking trails or SwitzerlandMobility cycling routes. The Obersee Experience Trail, by contrast, features named trail sections: one runs from Lachen railway station via Wangen Airport to Wangen village square; another leads from the village square through Buechberg to Tuggen.

This gives you two different ways to plan: the Obersee circular route has an approximate total distance, while the description of the Experience Trail names specific sections between places. Another listed starting point is the Wangen SZ Vita Parcours, which begins on Buechbergstrasse near the Genossame Wangen picnic site. The Wangen Linden Tree is a viewpoint overlooking Wangen and the surrounding area; in summer, it is a destination for family outings, hikes and picnics.

Wangen-Lachen Airport

Experience flights on various routes depart from Wangen-Lachen Airport. Visitors can book an experience flight or a trial flight there. The airport also offers flight training, further training and courses. Its offerings range from flight experiences to training and courses.

The airport lies directly on upper Lake Zurich and has an approximately 500-metre-long paved runway. The Franzrüti marina is right next door. These specific features of the location add another perspective on the lake surroundings to Wangen’s nature and cultural highlights.

Discover more travel destinations: Reichenburg, Vorderthal, Innerthal, Lachen, Tuggen.

Back to the main travel overview: March.