Discover Steinen: floodplain trail, village history and nature

Steinen is in Central Switzerland, between the Rossberg massif and Lake Lauerz. Nature trails, historic buildings and recurring traditions each offer something different. When planning your visit, you can decide whether you’d like to explore the floodplain landscape, discover architectural history or plan around an event.

Hiking along the Aa and through the floodplain

The Auenspur is an easy, 3.66-kilometre themed circular trail. It starts and ends at Steinen railway station. The route passes through a protected river floodplain, where you can discover more than 1,500 plant species and 40 different woody plant species. This clearly defined route length also offers an insight into the diversity of the floodplain landscape.

A circular trail follows the right bank of the Steiner Aa to the Schornen viewpoint, with views across Lake Lauerz. In warm weather, it also provides access to Choli bathing area for a refreshing dip in the lake. Swimming conditions and facilities may vary by season. For the Auenspur, the described route is by train or bus from Arth-Goldau or Schwyz to Steinen railway station; check the timetable before travelling.

Village history and architectural heritage

The self-guided “Steinen then & now” tour takes you to historic houses and local stories. Information panels with QR codes share details on site. No registration is required, and the tour can be taken at any time.

St James’ Parish Church and its surroundings also tell the story of different periods of construction. The church has medieval origins, was rebuilt in Gothic style in 1318 and consecrated on 27 July that same year. Extensions and a Baroque redesign followed later. The church grounds include the charnel house, consecrated in 1509. Its uniform furnishings, dating from the period when it was built, help make it one of the best-preserved charnel houses in Central Switzerland. The main case of the Steinen organ dates from 1664.

The church and charnel house also preserve evidence that some pilgrims travelling the Way of St James once stopped here. This historical trace adds a glimpse into the place’s former significance to the story of its architecture. The endangered greater mouse-eared bat lives in the attic of the parish church. On summer evenings, at dusk, you can watch the bats leave their roost through the small window on the north side of the church tower and set off to catch insects at night.

Nature through the seasons

The Steinertal vineyard lies slightly above the village of Stauffacher in a sunny location. From there, the view stretches across the village, Lake Lauerz and the mountains. Steinen is also associated with cherries and is known as the “Chriesi-Dorf” (Cherry Village). A spring walk passes flowering cherry trees and goes through the Aazopf floodplain. Spring and summer offer different highlights: flowering trees along the walk and evening sightings of greater mouse-eared bats at the church.

Chilbi fair and carnival

The Steinen Chilbi is a four-day festival in honour of the church’s patron saint, St James. It is held every year from Friday to Monday on the first weekend in October; the exact dates change from year to year. The Swiss Ländler-Schottisch “Steiner Chilbi” is also named after the festival. Jost Ribary Sr. composed the piece in 1933, and it was first performed at the Chilbi in Steinen.

Talibasch and Välädi are at the heart of the Steinen carnival. The Rott they lead proceeds to the village square in the Narrentanz and turns there anticlockwise. Carnival lasts from the first day of carnival in mid-January through Güdel Monday to Güdel Tuesday. As exact programme details vary from year to year, check the dates for your travel year.

Art at the Baumfiguren-Kabinett

The Baumfiguren-Kabinett (Tree Figures Cabinet) features upside-down living trees by Alfons Bürgler, shaped like goblins, women, men, couples and dancers. From 2026, the cabinet is open only during events at the Kabinett Eventbar; individual opening hours and private events are available on request. Before your visit, check which access option applies on your planned date.

Discover more destinations: Unteriberg, Seewen, Morschach, Rickenbach bei Schwyz, Schwyz, Illgau, Muotathal, Goldau

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