Schmerikon on Lake Zurich – lake, marshland and trails

Schmerikon lies on the shore of Lake Zurich in the Obersee, at the lower end of the Linth Plain and on the slope of Goldberg. The lake, plain and hillside offer different sides of the town. When choosing where to stay, it is therefore worth looking beyond the lake to include the trails, marshland and local sights.

On foot by the lake and along the themed trails

You can reach Schmerikon by S-Bahn or boat. Check connections before you travel. The Lake Zurich Circular Route is another way to explore actively: the section from Pfäffikon SZ to Schmerikon is 23 kilometres long. For a short stretch, the route follows the Linth Canal downstream, crosses the Aabach alluvial delta and ends in Schmerikon. You can round off your walk at the harbour, with views of the lake and boats returning to port. Check local trail conditions before setting off.

You can also start the Obersee Experience Trail in Schmerikon and hike as far as Tuggen. At Rheinkies Harbour, the “Steinbrüchler” installation is one of the trail’s features. It tells the story of Schmerikon’s quarry and the background to its “grey gold”. The trail thus combines exercise with a theme from local history. The two routes offer different highlights: the Lake Zurich Circular Route focuses on the lakeside landscape and the route along the canal and across the Aabach delta, while the Experience Trail features a stop about the region’s quarrying history.

Bathing, swimming and time at the harbour

The Schmerikon indoor and lakeside swimming pool offers direct access to Lake Zurich, a 25-metre swimming pool and a children’s paddling pool. The sauna and wellness area covers 400 square metres and includes bio saunas, the “Goldberg” Finnish sauna, the “Bachtel” steam bath and a plunge pool. The facility combines swimming and wellness in one place; check the latest operating information before your visit.

The outdoor area is also open during the summer season. It includes a 17,000-square-metre play and sunbathing lawn, a 42-metre water slide, two beach volleyball courts, a bathing jetty with a raft and other play facilities. As this area operates seasonally, it is a good idea to check the latest facility information before your visit.

At the harbour, Schmerikon rents out berths for boats, canoes and stand-up paddleboards; current availability may change. In the old harbour near the village centre, six free moorings are also available to visitors from outside the area. You can relax at the lakeside area between Bad Harbour and Pier8716 restaurant at any time of year. At Pier8716, tiered seating lines the shore, providing a place to sit and access to the water for bathers.

Marshland and distinctive plants

Schmerikoner Riet is a fen of national importance between the Aabach and the Linth Canal. Rare and endangered plants, including orchids and sedges, are central to the area’s value. The marshland of Schmerkner Allmeind covers around 27 hectares and is one of the largest fens in the Canton of St. Gallen. The Grosse Allmeind is home to an exceptionally large number of orchids. Red List species native to the area include the pale yellow marsh orchid and the one-leaved orchid; Grosse Allmeind has been protected since 1983.

A bridge also offers a view of the waterside landscape: the Aabach Bridge connects the village of Schmerikon with Grosse Allmeind. Its side bays invite you to linger and offer a view of the flowing water. Here, the inhabited town, the Aabach and the protected area meet within a short distance of one another.

History in the village

Local history can also be read in its religious buildings. A pilgrimage chapel in Schmerikon dedicated to Saint Jodocus was first mentioned in 1448. The Gothic Church of St. Jodocus was formally consecrated in May 1500. At Rheinkies Harbour, the “Steinbrüchler” installation recalls another part of local history: the former quarry and its “grey gold”. These historical points of interest complement the landscape and water experiences with specific themes to discover during a stay in Schmerikon.

Discover more destinations: Hintergoldingen, Uznach, Schänis, Eschenbach, Weesen, Benken, Ernetschwil, Goldingen.

See the regional travel overview: See-Gaster.