Some hikes are about summits, steep climbs and sore legs. And then there are walks like this one — easy-going, scenic, wonderfully unhurried, with a sparkling lake by your side almost the entire way.
On a sunny day in May, I packed my curiosity (and, naturally, my swimsuit) and set off to walk all the way around Lake Aegeri (Ägerisee) in beautiful Zugerland. This simple circular hike leads from Unterägeri via Oberägeri, Morgarten and Naas back to Unterägeri — mostly right along the lakeshore, with plenty of places to pause, dip your toes in the water or simply sit on a bench and watch the world slow down.
What I loved most? No steep climbs, hardly any tourist crowds, and that relaxed feeling of having nowhere particular to rush to. It’s the kind of walk that works just as well for families with kids, spontaneous weekend adventurers, or anyone craving an easy nature escape not far from Zurich. Even better: it’s suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
In this blog post, I’ll share the highlights of the hike, my favorite swimming spots, where to stop for food or coffee, the best time to go, how to get there — and a few handy options if you’d rather shorten the route and keep things extra relaxed.
Lake Aegeri Trail Guide: Circular Hike Route & Highlights
The full circular route around Lake Aegeri is around 14 kilometers long and takes roughly 3 to 3.5 hours of walking time without longer breaks (although for me lake swims and snack pauses stretched it out considerably).
Starting in Unterägeri, the trail loops clockwise around the lake via Oberägeri, Morgarten and Naas before returning back to Unterägeri. There are no steep climbs to tackle, the paths are easy, and thanks to countless benches, picnic spots and inviting swimming areas, it’s easy to turn this into a slow, full-day outdoor adventure.
Unterägeri – Oberägeri – Morgarten: Lakeside Walking, a Cooling Swim & a Touch of Swiss History
I started my lake loop in Unterägeri (bus stop: Unterägeri, Seefeld). After only a few minutes, the water was already glistening beside me — exactly the kind of promising start I love.
I walked clockwise along the northeastern shore towards Oberägeri. I’ll be honest: this first stretch isn’t the most idyllic part of the hike. Much of the route follows the pavement beside the main road. Still, the lake remains your constant companion, and on this sunny day, I didn’t mind too much.
In Oberägeri, I had to briefly part ways with the lake and walked through the charming village instead. But just outside the village, near Breiten, I happily reunited with the shoreline — and discovered one of my favorite spots of the day, a little lakeside area perfectly suited for a swim.
At Breiten, broad stone seating steps blend naturally into the landscape and create an easy, relaxed access point to the water. There are shaded spots under a tree, plenty of space to sit and linger, and even a floating platform reached by a small jetty. You can launch a SUP or a tiny inflatable boat here.
Refreshed and happily cooled down, I continued south along the road past Ländli, Eierhals and Haselmatt towards Morgarten, located at the southern end of the lake.
Just before entering Morgarten, you’ll spot the striking Morgarten Monument — impossible to miss and surprisingly impressive, even if you didn’t plan on a history lesson during your lakeside stroll.
The monument was inaugurated in 1908 to commemorate the Battle of Morgarten (1315), often regarded as one of the early defining moments in Swiss history. Here, the Old Swiss Confederates fought against the forces of the Habsburg Duke Leopold I of Austria. According to tradition, the outnumbered Confederates used the narrow terrain to their advantage and defeated the Habsburg army — an event that later became deeply woven into the Swiss story of independence and self-determination.
Built entirely from rough Nagelfluh stone, the monument feels solid, dramatic and somehow perfectly at home beneath the surrounding hillsides. Bronze lettering honurs the “Heroes of Morgarten 1315,” while a large relief sculpture, The Stone Thrower by Hermann Haller, recalls the legendary battle scene.
By this point, I had completed roughly half of the lake loop — which, naturally, felt like an excellent excuse for another little break by the monument.
Morgarten – Naas – Unterägeri: Nature Trails, Forest Magic & One Last Swim
After my pause in Morgarten, the character of the hike changed completely — and, personally, this was where the walk really began to steal my heart.
Leaving the main road behind, I followed the quieter southwestern side of Lake Aegeri. The route leads through a protected nature reserve, and the atmosphere instantly feels calmer, wilder and more natural. To the right, the lake lies wrapped in reeds; to the left stretch lush green meadows and farmland. It’s peaceful, open and wonderfully easy on the eyes.
Along this side of the lake, you pass the first campsite at Neselen and shortly afterwards the second one at Naas. Conveniently (and importantly), there’s a small kiosk right by the trail. I rewarded myself with a well-deserved ice cream. Hot summer hike logic.
From Naas onwards comes, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful sections of the entire lake loop.
The asphalt disappears and the trail continues along a cool forest path.
And then there are the trees themselves. Some are wonderfully unusual — including one growing dramatically from a rock, looking almost impossibly rooted and resilient. I had to stop there for a while. It’s a quietly powerful place that you can’t really explain but instantly feel.
Along the forest trail, keep an eye out for a wooden sculpture thatquietly tells the story of an ancient craft still alive at Lake Aegeri: timber rafting.
This southern lakeshore is home to a steep, remote mountain forest covering around 55 hectares — not exactly the easiest place to remove timber. So every four to five years, trees are cut here, assembled into an enormous wooden raft and transported across the lake in a way that feels almost wonderfully out of another century.
And when I say enormous, I mean enormous.
The raft can reach an impressive 170 meters in length and weigh up to 1,000 tonnes. Two motorboats pull this floating giant across Lake Aegeri towards Oberägeri or Unterägeri — a true spectacle.
Timber rafting or “Flössen” as we call it in German is not just folklore carefully preserved in a museum display. It’s a living tradition that is today unique in Central Europe.
After the forest section, the path continues via the tiny hamlet of Wilbrünnen towards Camping Unterägeri.
Along the way, there’s a self-serve farm shop where you can pick up a cold drink or a local treat. If you prefer a longer stop, you can continue to the campsite restaurant for a proper break.
Shortly after the campsite, just past the Hüribach stream, I turned right and followed the little river back down towards the lake. Once again, the path winds through a protected natural area before reaching the lido (Strandbad) of Unterägeri (entry fee applies).
At this point, you have options: another refreshing swim in the lido, or continue towards the village and the lakeside promenade, where you’ll also find lovely free swimming spots. You can probably guess which option usually wins me over.
How to Get to Lake Aegeri (Ägerisee)
One of the many things I like about this hike? It’s surprisingly easy to reach from Zurich and makes a perfect spontaneous day trip.
Take the train to Zug (around 20–25 minutes from Zurich). From Zug station, hop on bus 601 to Unterägeri, Seefeld. That’s where I started my lake loop — and within just a few minutes of stepping off the bus, I was already standing by the water.
Best Time to Go on This Circular Lakeside Hike
The Lake Aegeri loop can be done year-round, but personally, I think it’s at its most beautiful between spring and autumn.
Fresh green landscapes in spring, long summer days made for lake swims, golden colors in autumn…
One small thing to keep in mind: in 2025, the forest trail on the southern side of the lake was temporarily closed due to rockfall. When I visited in May 2026, the path was open again, although there was still one section with a sign asking hikers to pass through without lingering. It’s worth checking current trail conditions before you go, especially if you’re planning to hike the beautiful forest section.
Where to Eat at Lake Aegeri
You know my favorite hiking food strategy: pack a picnic, find a quiet spot by the water, jump in the lake, and eat something.
Lake Aegeri is perfect for exactly that.
That said, if you’d rather let somebody else do the cooking, you’ll find plenty of food stops scattered around the lake. Here are a few options along the route:
- Hotel Restaurant Morgarten am Ägerisee
- Restaurant Buechwäldli
- Hotel & Restaurant Eierhals
- Bistro Ägerisee
- Camping-Restaurant Hüribach
- Hotel- und Seminarhaus Ländli
- Plus several cafés and restaurants in Unterägeri and Oberägeri
For smaller snack emergencies, sugar cravings or forgotten BBQ supplies:
Kiosk Camping Naas: My kind of hiking pit stop: ice cream, crisps, drinks and sweet snacks — strategically located right along the trail.
Chilchbüelhof Farm Shop: A lovely little stop for cold drinks, local goodies, cheese and cured meats. And if you had grand plans for a lakeside BBQ but somehow forgot to pack the sausages (it happens…), they’ve got you covered.
Final Thoughts on Hiking Around Lake Aegeri
For the full loop around Lake Ägeri — just under 15 km — I needed around three hours of pure walking time, not counting swim stops, snack breaks, ice cream emergencies or extended moments of staring dreamily at the water.
Personally, I preferred the southern, more natural half of the hike. The quieter trails, nature reserves and forest paths simply felt more like my kind of wandering than the road-side sections on the northern shore.
If you’d like my recommendation? Consider hiking only the southern side and taking the boat or bus back. It’s a lovely way to avoid some of the traffic-heavy stretches while still enjoying the best of the lake.
One thing is certain though: I’ll be back.
And if you’re looking for more easy outdoor adventures in the region, there are plenty of beautiful options nearby. Sattel-Hochstuckli makes a fun day out with its suspension bridge and mountain toboggan run, while Wägitalersee is another peaceful Swiss lake you can walk all the way around .
