The best city hikes and walks in Höfe

The lake on both sides, the city and the castle make for a wonderful panorama. You also forget the very busy Seedammstrasse behind you.

A busy but beautiful route across the dam, partly with a wide cycle path. Unfortunately, the section from Hurden to Pfäffikon on the gravel path is now closed to cyclists (until the first accident happens on the main road).

Schloss Rapperswil The Schloss Rapperswil is the landmark of the picturesque city of roses on Lake Zurich. The castle, built in the early 13th century and later repeatedly redesigned, is visible from afar. It towers above the town on the Lindenhof, a ridge that runs through Rapperswil. The renovated castle delights with an atmospheric visitor tour and takes you on a fascinating journey through time, exploring the castle's history. A highlight for children is certainly the northern flank of the castle hill, as fallow deer have lived here since 1871, reminiscent of the legend of the city's founding. Just below the deer park, various play elements such as a climbing wall or a speaking tube also invite children to play and let off steam. The exhibition inside the castle can be visited. Additionally, the castle tower offers a breathtaking view over the city and the lake. Text / Source: Tourist Information, Visitor Center, Fischmarktplatz 1, Rapperswil https://www.rapperswil-zuerichsee.ch/de/besuchen/sehenswuerdigkeiten/schloss-rapperswil

Wooden Bridge Seedamm-Weg / Route Pfäffikon SZ - Rapperswil SG "A monumental project at the turn of the millennium," inaugurated on April 6, 2001. The narrow passage between Lake Zurich and Lake Obersee has always been used by local residents to cross the water. Until the Middle Ages, this was done by ferry. After Rapperswil was sold to the House of Habsburg-Austria in 1354, Duke Rudolf IV, the Wise, decided to replace the ferry service with a wooden bridge. Completed in 1358, the structure was 1450 meters long and rested on 546 oak piles. It was 12 feet (approximately 4 meters) wide and designed for pedestrians, carts, and livestock. Toll revenues financed construction and maintenance, with the residents of Rapperswil, the monks of Einsiedeln Abbey, and some farmers from the Schwyz territories of Höfe and March being exempt from the bridge toll. The daring structure was also exposed to various dangers. For example, it was repeatedly damaged or even destroyed during wartime events, and natural forces such as waves and storms also took their toll. For this reason, the planks were not nailed to the bridge structure, and there was no railing. This meant that a storm could not tear down the entire bridge; only the loose planks were blown into the lake. Therefore, crossing the bridge was not a safe pleasure for everyone. In 1939/51, the dam was renovated, and the bridges were reinforced to handle the increasing car, truck, and train traffic. A stroll on the dam's sidewalk had long ceased to be enjoyable. Therefore, the idea of a new pedestrian bridge in the form of the old wooden bridge seemed appealing. The new wooden bridge was inaugurated on April 6, 2001. It is the longest wooden bridge in Switzerland (841 m). It rests on a total of 233 piles. Text / Source: City of Rapperswil-Jona, St. Gallerstrasse, Jona https://www.rapperswil-jona.ch/naherholungimfreien/6552

The name "Frauenwinkel" dates back to a donation by Emperor Otto I in 965 to the "Our Lady" (Mother of God) convent in Einsiedeln. The current "Frauenwinkel" nature reserve with its two islands, Ufenau and Lützelau, is located in the municipality of Freienbach in Schwyz and, with its good 350 hectares, is the largest and most valuable nature reserve on the entire Lake Zurich. The name "Frauenwinkel" dates back to a donation by Emperor Otto I in 965 to the "Our Lady" (Mother of God) convent in Einsiedeln. Text / Source: Stiftung Frauenwinkel, Gässlistrasse 1A, 8856 Tuggen https://frauenwinkel.ch/geschichte/der-frauenwinkel-bis-1980/

Very often photographed subject.

Great region for biking

Relaxing view and pleasant glimpse of the city