Muotathal: Caves, Hiking Trails and Culture

When looking for a hotel in Muotathal, you can first decide which aspects of the area you want to shape your trip: caves and karst landscapes, hiking trails, or architectural and cultural history. Muotathal is a municipality in the district of Schwyz and lies at an elevation of about 610 metres above sea level. To the south, the municipality borders the canton of Uri; to the east, the canton of Glarus.

Hiking trails and landscapes

Bödmeren Forest is a primary subalpine spruce forest; its core area meets the criteria for an old-growth forest. On a guided Bödmeren old-growth forest excursion, you can experience a succession of different vegetation stages: from bare high-alpine karst to pioneer plants and dense subalpine spruce forest. The extensive karst areas of Bödmeren-Silbern-Charetalp and the cave-rich landscape between Pragel and Bisistal, which includes Hölloch, also shape the area.

In the upper Muotathal valley, Glattalp is a natural area with alpine flora, grazing animals and Lake Glattalp. Hiking trails lead to the Pfaff viewpoint and in the direction of Klausen Pass. At Glattalp, the focus is on the lake and its alpine surroundings, while the Bödmeren excursion focuses on changes in vegetation.

Winter walks offer a variety of landscape impressions. The circular route to Guggelipass runs along the sunny side of the valley, passing forest, mountain streams, pastures and viewpoints. By contrast, a quiet winter trail along the Muota follows the dam across the agricultural valley floor. Along this trail, mountain streams, flat cultivated land and the surrounding mountains meet. Access is possible from the Vordere Brücke bus stop or the Rambach car park. The Muota hiking trail can also be reached by bus from the Nuschlau and Vordere Brücke stops.

Caves and guided experiences

The Hölloch short tour is offered year-round. It covers the first 700 metres of the cave, along paths and stairs built more than 100 years ago. The cave temperature remains at 6°C throughout the year; keep this constant coolness in mind as you prepare for your visit. Visits to the underground Selgis command post are possible as part of guided tours. The post is particularly well known for its protected wall paintings.

Another activity is the Husky Dream experience, which includes a short walk accompanied by huskies. Depending on the day's schedule, you may also be able to help care for and feed the pack. The opportunity to help therefore depends on the schedule for that day.

Buildings and local history

Altchloster, the old monastery church, is considered the oldest surviving building in the municipality. Its consecration document dates from 1347 and attests to a building whose basic structure is late Romanesque. Another chapter in the monastery's history dates back to 1288, when the women's community of Muotathal convent joined the Franciscan Order. The present-day monastery complex was built between 1684 and 1693. The parish church, dedicated to Saints Sigismund and Walburga, was built between 1786 and 1793.

The landscape also preserves traces of earlier settlement. Hundreds of abandoned settlement sites remain within the municipality. Ruins of walls and other traces bear witness to the nomadic herding culture of the Middle Ages. Traditional farmhouses include block-built structures with Klebdächer (overhanging roofs) and galleries. The Guggeli Route offers another way to explore local history: it starts in Wil, the oldest part of Muotathal village, and passes the St. Josef monastery, where Franciscan nuns still live and work. The route is also associated with the campaign of Russian General Suvorov in 1799.

The Muotathal weather prophets are a lively local tradition. They base their forecasts on observations of nature and animals, as well as local wind and weather patterns. They hold meetings twice a year, in April and October.

Plan your journey

Muotathal can be reached via the A4 towards Schwyz. The road over Pragel Pass is single-lane and open from Monday to Friday; check seasonal and traffic restrictions before travelling. When planning your overnight stay, the area's different highlights can help you decide which experiences you would like to prioritise.

Discover more destinations: Sattel, Alpthal, Illgau, Morschach, Oberiberg, Schwyz, Rickenbach Bei Schwyz, Lauerz.

Go to the main travel overview: Schwyz.