Rothenthurm High Moor to Lake Aegeri via Morgartenberg

Monday October 12, 2026 -- Even though Urs had a whole week of vacation last week, the weather was never really good enough for us to do any day hikes, except the lovely trip to Visperterminen on the Monday (photos HERE). But now, the following week, we are having some nice weather for all kinds of excursions!

So I used this beautiful perfect Monday to do an outing on my own, not a long nor strenuous one, and only traveling an hour to get to the starting point of my walk: The Rothenthurm high moors, the highest elevation bog region in Switzerland. 

After a quick tour of the pompous village church and a detour to the historical Letzi Tower, I made my way over the Morgartenberg range across the Canton Border between Schwyz and Zug, and descended to Morgarten, the village where the infamous Battle of Morgarten took place, when the locals vanquished the Austrian invaders in 1315. After a visit with a friend there, I made my way back home, only an hour's travel time.

Even with pure sunshine, there was a cold wind blowing, so I was both too cold and too hot at the same time. But I did find a nice bench in the sunshine for my lunch, and was joined by the cutest Bernese Mountain Dog. And along the way I discovered another weird Swiss Sport: The Boulder Toss. 

Leaving home at 9:46, I was on my way up toward Rothenthurm from Goldau by 10:15. Always a view of Mt.Rigi! In all, it was only a 45-minute trip to the start of my walk. 

By 10:30 I was in Rothenthurm, looking out to where I was going to cross the hill toward Lake Aegeri (Aegerisee). 

Even though we have passed through Rothenthurm many times, either by train or having done other hikes in the region, I had never actually been in the large church next to the train station. So this was the first thing I did before heading out on my hike. 

Another exceptional work of art. The parish church of St.Antonius took 70 years to build, and was finally consecrated in 1940!!!! It claims to be "a couple of feet" larger than the magnificent Baroque church in the city of Schwyz.  

The hand-carved details on the doors and choir benches are also of note, as well as the several altar pieces. 

Details of the church interior. In particular, the many beautiful stained glass windows apparently make the interior light up with loads of colours when the sun is shining in. 

Not sure about the 1892 date on the floor, as the foundation stone for the building was laid in 1873. But of particular note is the massive chandelier. (Translated from the Internet: "Since 1994, a chandelier weighing several tons and featuring 96 light points has hung in the parish church. The chandelier was a gift to the Einsiedeln Monastery in 1894 from the mother of Napoleon III. It was removed from the monastery in 1953, passed into private ownership in Arth during the 1970s, and was placed in the Rothenthurm parish church in 1994 as a permanent loan.")

Next to the large church, a typical house in this region (Canton Schwyz). 

Then I noticed this tower, so I headed over for a closer look. I could not find an entrance anywhere, so I am not sure if you can actually go up it. It is called a Letzi Tower, and there is another one between Sattel and Morgarten, which was another of the options I had considered for this day. 

History of the Letzi Tower, (there is another one closer to Morgarten), which was originally part of a defense wall. The red roof of the tower gave the town its name "Rothenthurm" ("Rot" = "Red", and "Turm" = "Tower".). 

At 11 a.m. I was back at the train station in Rothenthurm to start on my "short" walk over the Morgartenberg hill, crossing the canton border of Schwyz to Zug, descending to the village of Morgarten on Lake Aegeri (Aegerisee), a relatively short walk of just 8 km and 2½ hours. (The main goal of this hike was to visit a friend in Morgarten). 

This beautiful old house has unfortunately fallen into disrepair. 

A look behind me as I make my way through the Rothenthurm Moor landscape to the small hill I plan to cross. 

A close-up view of the massive St. Antonius church. It took 70 years to build!!! (The plan was to have the highest bell tower in Canton Schwyz, among other fantastic features). 

This is the view to the east across the Rothenthurm moorlands, the highest elevation bog region in Switzerland. 

From here it should take me just over two hours to reach the town of Morgarten on Lake Aegeri. 

Trying my self-timed photos by setting up my small tripod! We have walked many times across this high-moor region, a couple of times in winter as well. (For example, our January 2019 hike from Einsiedeln, photos HERE). 

On my way up the hill I passed by a picnic spot (many of these in Switzerland) where there was also an interesting gravel-covered lane which I first thought might be a lane to play bocce ball, but when I read the sign on the little window, it turns out you can play a game called "Steinstossen" (Boulder Toss), apparently a very old "sport" here in Switzerland. (Just as weird as the Hornussen Games we recently witnessed.). One of the rules is to make sure that no one is standing in the lane during the toss! Also, children are not allowed to "play" without adult supervision. It is also important to return the boulders to their proper place alongside the little building. 

View back toward the town of Rothenthurm as I make my way higher up the hill (an easy walk now along a wider road). 

Close-up view of the train station and St.Antonius church in Rothenthurm (a massive church, as you see from this viewpoint). Also on the left you can see the Letzi Tower, and barely visible just next to the train station is a small remaining piece of the historical Letzi Wall erected in 1310.  

As I got to the highest point of my walk (which wasn't very high, only a climb of about 150 meters of altitude difference), I could see the peaks of the Glarus Alps to the east. 

Usually there is a border stone marking the Canton borders, but here where I crossed from Canton Schwyz into Canton Zug, there was simply a fence with the trail markers featuring the Canton Crests: A red crest featuring the Red Tower for Canton Schwyz on the east side, and a white-blue-white crest featuring Canton Zug on the west side.  

As I descend into the farmlands on the east side of Morgartenberg, I get the first view of a summit called "Chaiserstock", part of the Mount Zug (Zugerberg) range. 

As it is now 12:15, I was happy to find this convenient bench next to a "farm shop" where I could rest for a while, eat my picnic lunch, and enjoy the views of Lake Aegeri. 

This is the view of Lake Aegeri where I sat on the bench for my picnic lunch break. On the other side of the green hill is the city of Zug. 

I was joined on my lunch break by this big, cuddly dog, who begged to try my lentil salad, but settled (looking disappointed) next to my bench to keep me company even though I wouldn't share. 

After a 20-minute break I continued on my walk down the eastern hillside of Mt.Morgartenberg, quite surprised at how nice of a view I was getting of the Uri Alps to the southwest. 

And with this zoomed view, I could even see the peaks of the Bernese Alps. In particular, I believe the peak on the right is Mt.Mönch. 

And now getting some better views of Lake Aegeri. 

More views of the Uri Alps to the southwest. The darker, pointed peak is part of the eastern extension of the Rigi Range. (Rigi Hoflue, I believe). 

Farmlands above Aegerisee

Part of the Zugerberg Range on the other side of the lake. Up ahead is a goose (or rather gander) sitting on a dungheap, scolding loudly at me in that honking way they have, then joined by his mate as I got closer. 

These are the farm animals I met on my way down the mountain. (I think the pony had a leg injury of some kind, I felt bad for it. The dog that ran up to me was a different one than the one that kept me company at lunch. And the geese on the dung heap were LOUD!)

A look behind me after passing via that farmhouse. So nice that the meadows are still so green. And there is that poor pony with what looked like a lame foot. 

Now a really nice look at the stretched-out village of Morgarten on the east side of Lake Aegeri. This is the final descent here, along the edge of the forest down to the main road. 

Another nice look at the Uri Alps to the south. (Those are the mountains along the west side of the Lake Uri arm of the Vierwaldstättersee, i.e. Lake Lucerne). 

This is the house I saw from further up, a beautiful farm house along the main lakeside road. 

Heading south along the lake, the next stop, of course, is the parish church of St.Vit in Morgarten. Although there was a church dedicated to St.Vit here at this site in at least 1493, this particular building was built in 1895-1899. (Only a very few churches in Switzerland are dedicated to St.Vit). 

If I thought the one in Rothenthurm was a work of art, this one was absolutely stunning! This interior is a quality example of Neo-Romanesque architecture and artwork. 

The church is under Cantonal (Zug) Monument protection. 

Details of all the artwork in this beautiful building, from the fabulous wooden ceiling, to the three altars, the organ and balcony, the paintings on the walls and the stained-glass windows. 

VIDEO:

There was someone in the St.Vit church playing the organ,

although it wasn't typical church music...

(Not the best quality video, but I wanted the sound of the organ).

Looking across Lake Aegeri at road level. 

I then passed the famous Morgarten Monument. It commemorates the victory of the Swiss people against the Austrian invaders in the "Battle of Morgarten" in 1315. 

According to the information here, little is known about the "Battle of Morgarten", although it has gone down in history as the first battle for freedom of the newly-formed confederacy (1291), a symbol of freedom and independence. (Looking at the wooden carved figures, I wondered if the old sport of "Stone Tossing" originated from this battle!)

Along the main street in Morgarten. 

After reaching the main road, I did have to walk for one kilometer along the road here to get to my friend's house (which I reached at 1:45 p.m.), as there is no walking trail here. 

A nice view through the reeds. 

After a lovely two-hour visit, I was back at the bus stop at 4:10 p.m. for my trip back home, only an hour from here!

This is what my hike looks like on Google Satellite Maps. Starting in Rothenthurm at about 11 a.m., I reached Morgarten at just after 2 p.m. The trip to get here and back home is just one hour each way. 

View of the Church in Sattel as the bus makes its way back to Rothenthurm, where I then catch the train back to Küssnacht. 

The hilly landscape near Rothenthurm. 

At 16:23, the bus is back at the Red Tower in Rothenthurm, headed to the train station. I have done a full circle now and back at the starting point of this day's excursion!

The 16:29 "Copper Train" of the Süd-Ost Bahn line arrives at the Rothenthurm train station for the final (direct) leg home via Arth-Goldau (the train is headed to Luzern). 

These are all the hikes we have done in the region around Rothenthurm, Lake Aegeri, Mt. Rigi and Zug. 

A favourite view across the open Schwyzer Plain to Mt. Fronalpstock, as the train descends from the Rothenthurm Highlands toward Arth-Goldau station. 

Location of Rothenthurm within Switzerland, not far from Zug and Küssnacht.