Lake Lucerne Size report
Lake Lucerne (German: Vierwaldstättersee) is located in central Switzerland and is the fourth largest lake in Switzerland and the largest lake entirely in Switzerland. Lake Lucerne can be called the birthplace of the Swiss Confederation. The national hero Wilhelm Tell in Swiss history was born in the beautiful Lake Lucerne region.
Lake Lucerne spans four ancient Swiss cantons: Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden, Lucerne, which is where its German name Vierwaldstättersee comes from. There are many old Swiss communities along the lake shore, including Küssnacht, Weggis, Vitznau, Gersau, Brunnen, Altdorf, Buochs, and Treib.
To commemorate the 700th anniversary of the founding of Switzerland, the government set up a monumental hiking route on the shore of Lake Lucerne, from the Lutli Meadows to Brunnen, a total of 30 kilometers. Rütli, on the southeastern coast of Lake Lucerne, was the site of the Swiss Confederation's alliance in 1287. This post introduces more interesting facts about Lake Lucerne.
Lake Lucerne Introduction
The winding shoreline of Lake Lucerne has many branches, connecting the city of Lucerne with the surrounding peaks and towering many peaks above 1500 meters above sea level, including Mt. Rigi and Mt. Pilatus. The Reuss River flows into the lake at Flüelen and out of Luzern. In addition, three rivers flow into Lake Lucerne, the Muota River in Brunnen, the Engelberger Aa in Buochs and the Sarner As in Alpnachstad.
There are winding roads around the lake, some of which are tunnels. Steamboats and passenger ships sail between towns along the shores of Lake Lucerne. Lake Lucerne is a very popular tourist destination both in the hearts of Swiss locals and foreign tourists, and there are many hotels and resorts by the lake. For example, Weggis and Vitznau have a mild climate and are officially certified as the best spa resorts.
Lake Lucerne Size
- Lake Lucerne lies at an elevation of 434 m (1,424 ft) between steep limestone mountains.
- The lake covers a surface area of 44 square miles (114 square km); its longest point is about 24 miles (39 km) long, with a maximum width of 2 miles (3 km).
- The lake's maximum depth is 702 feet (214 m), and its average depth is about 104 m (341 ft).
- With a shore length of 143.7 km (89.3 mi), Lake Lucerne has a water volume of 11.8 km3 (2.8 cubic mi), and the catchment area reaches 2,124 km2 (820 sq mi).
Shipping and sightseeing
Lake Lucerne has been Switzerland's most important transit route for centuries. In 1830, the road to the Gotthard Pass was opened. The road's northern terminus is located at the easternmost point of Lake Lucerne, the only trade route to the Gotthard pass. With the boom in road and rail transport in Switzerland, more private and public boats are sailing for tourism and leisure purposes. These routes remain the most efficient means of transporting people and goods to lakeside communities.
The SGV (Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees) has the largest fleet on Swiss inland lakes, including five antique-class steam paddle steamboats. The SGV company serves 32 stations on the shore of Lake Lucerne and is connected to the land transportation network as well as numerous mountaineering cable cars and railways.
Final Words
A steamer cruise across the convolute lake of Lucerne on a sun-filled summer’s day is a wonderful experience. The largest shipping company in Switzerland operates the necessary routes to reach many of the region's most important excursion destinations and mountain cableways, such as the Rigi, Pilatus, Bürgenstock, and Klewenalp. Special musical and delicious foods are also offered in numerous scheduled and additional programs.
