The best hikes from bus stations around Obersee

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

During an excursion, we had the pleasure of climbing the two onion domes and learning all sorts of interesting and amusing stories about the more than 300-year-old parish church. It is believed that plans from a southern German church were used. This is why the two onion domes seem somewhat foreign in the church landscape of Märchl. The Lachen Parish Church is an outstanding example of a Baroque church building, intended to showcase the beauty of the Catholic faith. The church was built between 1707 and 1710 by Peter and Gabriel Thumb from Vorarlberg and consecrated in 1711. Since then, it has been the unmistakable landmark of Lachen and remains a much-visited place of silent and communal prayer. The following information is intended to introduce you to the mystery of this church space. The Baroque is the Catholic response to the Reformation in the 16th century, carved in stone and wood. Not iconoclasm, but images and colors in abundance. Not a sober focus on the Word, but a magnificent unfolding of the Christian message in images, symbols, and ornaments. The whole person is to be addressed and rise up to God. The Lachner parish church is dedicated to the Holy Cross and celebrates its patron saint's day on the Exaltation of the Cross (September 14th or the second Sunday in September). The external celebration – the Chilbi – has been scheduled a week earlier since the 1940s. The name of the church reflects its artistic program: Jesus on the cross draws all eyes. The upper panel of the high altar depicts Abraham, at God's command, intending to sacrifice his son Isaac. This story from the Old Testament was early on interpreted as referring to the sacrificial death of Christ. A special reminiscence of the cross can be found in the Lachner parish coat of arms (albeit reversed!): a T-shaped cross with a bronze serpent.

so-called breakthrough on the dam

Cool route with many impressions

Always good for pilgrims.

First view of Raperswil in the distance!

You pass the children's zoo! It's very beautiful in early spring, as the reeds haven't grown yet, so you have a great view!

Cute town with a couple of outdoor coffee/tea shops where you can keep an eye on your bike while taking a break. Be careful with all the pedestrians however.