Walensee: Switzerland's Fjord-Like Lake
Discover Walensee: A Swiss alpine lake with fjord-like scenery, hiking trails, Mediterranean villages, and refreshing water activities.
Walensee, also known as Lake Walen or Lake Walenstadt, is a stunning Swiss alpine lake located east of Zurich, characterized by its fjord-like scenery with steep cliffs rising from the north shore. The lake offers various activities, including hiking, water sports, and boat tours, and is surrounded by charming villages like Quinten, a car-free village with a Mediterranean climate.
A brief summary to Walensee
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Local tips
- Check the Walensee ferry schedule in advance, as it varies by day and season.
- Visit Quinten, a car-free village, for a unique Mediterranean-like experience.
- Explore the Seerenbach Falls, one of Switzerland's highest waterfalls, accessible from Betlis.
- Enjoy water sports on the lake, but be aware that the water can be colder than other Swiss lakes.
- Hike the Walensee Walk from Weesen to Walenstadt for stunning lake views.
Getting There
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Public Transport
From Zurich, take a direct train to Unterterzen. The journey takes approximately 58 minutes and trains depart hourly. From Unterterzen, you can access various points around the lake by bus or boat. A single train fare from Zurich to Unterterzen costs between CHF 17 and CHF 35. Bus fares around the lake are typically CHF 2-4 for short trips. Alternatively, from Flims, take the line 81 bus to Chur, then transfer to a train to Walenstadt. This takes approximately 1 hour 37 minutes and costs CHF 21-40.
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Ferry
Ferries operate between various towns on Walensee, including Weesen, Betlis and Quinten. From Weesen to Betlis, the ferry operates 5 times a day and costs CHF 8-11. The journey takes 20 minutes. From Weesen to Quinten, the ferry also operates 5 times a day and costs CHF 11-14. The journey takes 40 minutes. Check the Schiffsbetrieb Walensee schedule for current times and prices.
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Driving
From Zurich, the drive to Walensee takes approximately 54 minutes via the A3. The driving distance is about 80 km. Parking is available in various towns around the lake, including Weesen and Mols. Parking Walenseestrasse in Mols offers 8 spaces. Raststätte Walensee Bergsboden in Unterterzen also provides parking. Parking costs vary, but expect to pay around CHF 1-3 per hour. From Flims, the drive to Walenstadt takes approximately 41 minutes via route 13. Driving costs approximately CHF 9-14.
Discover more about Walensee
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