The 14 most beautiful Stand-up-Paddle lakes in Switzerland (SUP)
SUP in Switzerland: We were invited by CALA Boards to test one of their SUP on various Swiss lakes. That’s why here in this report we show our experience with the board and then present our 14 favorite Stand-Up-Paddle lakes in Switzerland.
In collaboration with CALA Boards, Text and pictures by Marc Gottwald
Cala Boards offers Stand-Up-Paddles in best quality and most beautiful designs. The brand has SUP boards for beginners to advanced. Now we show you here our most beautiful SUP lakes in Switzerland.
We were also 100% convinced by the processing and the design of the board: All seams and glued joints on the board are clean and stable. The carbon paddle included in the set is easy to hold and the other included components, such as the leash, the three fins and the repair kit are well made and make a robust impression.
Lake Zurich – the SUP paradise
With a length of 42 kilometres, Lake Zurich is one of the longest lakes in Switzerland. Its beauty with a view of the Alps is also undisputed and makes the lake a SUP dream location. There are many good places to start your Stand-Up-Paddle Adventure at Lake Zurich (SUP).
If you want to get into the water in the city of Zurich, you can start in the Chinagarten, for example. The morning atmosphere in particular has a very special charm and makes your trip a real dream.
Another great place near the city is Kilchberg. With usually far fewer people, you can also enjoy the idyll during the day. And if you want, you can combine the trip with a visit to the Lindt chocolate museum. Meilen or Richterswil are also popular SUP spots. Please note that there are some nature reserves in Lake Zurich that may not be accessed by Stand-Up-Paddle.
Lake Hallwil – SUP in the Middle Lands of Switzerland
Also high on the list of Switzerland’s most beautiful SUP lakes is Lake Hallwil. The lake in the Swiss Middle Lands is located in both the canton of Aargau and Lucerne and is 8.4 kilometres long. Particularly, the lake is great for its secret tip bathing areas, which are free of charge and only a few people know about. Our tip is the bathing areas in Birrwil and Seengen near Hallwyl Castle, where you can start your SUP adventure perfectly.
Please note that you have to be especially careful in Seengen regarding the nature reserve, as a large area is protected. If you want to start in a bathing area with a restaurant, Meisterschwanden and Beinwil am See are very popular.
Lake Wägital – SUP in the Swiss Alps
Nestled between imposing mountains, Lake Wägital is one of the most beautiful SUP lakes in Switzerland and the Alps. The reservoir is located in the canton of Schwyz and can be reached from Zurich in about an hour. But here you are guaranteed peace and quiet.
There are also various good entering points where you are almost alone. For a good start, drive over the dam wall directly at the beginning of the lake and park at the next car park. Afterwards, driving is prohibited on this side. Another option is to start your adventure in Innerthal or to continue towards Oberhof. There are idyllic meadows where you have access to the lake with almost no people.
Lake Klöntalersee
Is there a more beautiful lake for Stand-Up-Paddling in the Swiss Alps than Lake Wägital? Of course, beauty is always a personal thing, but the Klöntalersee is certainly high on the list.
Lake Klöntal is a pearl in the Glarus Alps and offers with two campsites and several entry points the perfect conditions for an unforgettable stand-up paddling experience. There are two great places to pump up your SUP right at the start of the lake. On the one hand, very close to the Güntlenau campsite, there is a meadow with a free entry point (to the left of the dam wall). At the Rhodannenberg (to the right of the dam wall) you can also enjoy an ideal lake-mountain panorama. However, it is very difficult to find a parking space here in summer.
Lake Türlersee – SUP near Zurich, Switzerland
Another gem right on Zurich’s doorstep is the Türlersee Lake. With its undisputed beauty nestled between two mountain ranges, Türlersee is a top place to enjoy nature on a Stand-up paddle.
At the Türlersee, there are two places that are perfect for a start. On the one hand, there is the unknown place called “Hundewiese Aeugst am Albis”, and on the other hand, there is the official Türlersee lido, where you find also plenty of parking spaces. Nevertheless, on weekends during the summer holidays, it can happen that all parking spaces are occupied.
As with many other lakes, Lake Türlersee has its nature reserves, where you have to keep your distance.
Lake Sils – SUP Dream in the Grison Alps
Lake Sils near St.Moritz is the largest and most beautiful mountain lake in Graubünden and a true paradise for SUP fans. Various entry options give you the freedom you desire. Our favourite is at Plaun da Lej. As the parking spaces are right by the lake, you can start right away with your SUP. And there are always great places to park your car at the side of the road.
The lake is a highlight especially in autumn. The forests turn orange and the highest mountain peaks are usually already covered in white snow. Emotions are guaranteed and offer you one of the most breathtaking SUP experiences in Switzerland.
Important to know: The lake is windless in the morning hours. After that, tides often come up and attract windsurfers. That’s why it’s important at Lake Sils to start with your stand-up paddle early in the morning.
Lake Lucerne – SUP in the heart of Switzerland
Lake Lucerne is one of the largest lakes in Switzerland and, like Lake Zurich, offers a large number of good places to Stand up paddle. On the one hand, it has a free bathing area in Buochs at the Unterfeld bus station. Normally there are not many people here, except on a hot summer weekend, sometimes all the parking spaces are taken. From here you have a perfect view of the Rigi or Bürgenstock as well.
Another great place to get in is Sisikon. Although very often posted on Instagram, there are still few people here. Sisikon is my absolute favourite, both to SUP and to rest and enjoy the panorama. Similar to Lake Sils, there is usually wind in this part of the lake in the afternoon. But you feel it less on the shore.
Lake Zug
Lake Zug definitely stands out for its endless beauty with lake-mountain views of the Rigi. With only 20-25 minutes from Zurich, the various SUP entry points can also be reached quickly and conveniently.
You can either jump straight into the water at the lakeside path in Zug or, in my opinion, the Vilettepark in Cham is much nicer. If you want to get a little closer to the mountains, it’s also worth starting at the lido in Walchwil.
Lake Zug is also very close to Lake Aegeri and can be combined well.
Lake Aegeri – SUP on the shores of the Swiss Alps
What an idyllic lake to spend a leisurely day stand-up paddling. Yes, in Switzerland you are spoilt for choice and Lake Ägeri definitely has to be on the list of the most beautiful lakes for Stand-Up-Paddling in Switzerland.
One side of the lake is a bit more difficult to get to, with only a hiking trail leading along the shore. There are always entry points here, but you also have to lug the board a long way. There are better solutions on the lake side of the road. On the one hand, there is parking at the “Studentenhütte Seebeizli” and a good entry point to start your SUP adventure on Lake Ägeri.
The spot at the car park at Seestrasse 61, Unterägeri, is also one of my favourites. Easy lake access and almost no people during the week are among the benefits.
Lake Brienz – SUP in the Bernese Oberland
The Bernese Oberland with Lake Brienz is the paradise par excellence for all SUP fans. Lake Brienz is not only one of the deepest, but also one of the coldest large lakes in Switzerland.
Iseltwald is particularly recommended with its view of the Brienzer Grat, the castle building and the green-blue water. Here you can either get in at the official bathing area or along the lake. Please note, however, that some of the areas are private. In Iseltwald you will experience an unforgettable SUP adventure – that’s a promise.
Lake Walen – SUP in the Alpen Fjord of Switzerland
Lake Walen has long been considered an important lake in the north-south connection thanks to its location. Not without reason the Romans conquered the region long ago and made a lot of revenue through taxes.
Lake Walen is also a perfect lake for a SUP experience. Thanks to its length, there are also various entry points here. I have two favourites that I can particularly recommend. The first spot is at the Lago Mio lakeside restaurant, where there are plenty of parking spaces and you can be on the lake in just a few metres.
Also a dream location with a spectacular view of the Churfirsten peaks is Bad Murg on the other side of Lake Walen. Here you are spoilt for choice. If you want, you can even walk around Lake Walen.
Lake Davos – SUP in the highest city of Europe
At the entrance to the city of Davos you will find the beautiful Davos Lake, one of the jewels of the highest city in Europe. For 50 Rappen per hour you can park directly at the lake parking lot. There are various entry points, the easiest is located at the surf center. Here you can also rent SUPs, if you don’t have your own. The season is between mid-June and September. Furthermore, there is also a good restaurant waiting for you.
Especially when it’s windy you should be careful, because then there are many wind and kite surfers in the Davos lake.
Davos is the perfect place to stay for a few days if you want to combine Stand-Up-Paddling with other mountain activities like hiking, biking or wellness.
Lake Murten
Lake Murten and the whole region is so dreamy that you sometimes have the feeling that time has stopped running. Old winegrowing villages combined with the crystal clear water and the view of the Alps are a balm for the soul. Therefore, the lake is a highly recommended tip when it comes to a SUP adventure in Western Switzerland.
In addition to various surf and SUP centers, there is a good entry point at practically every location. My personal favorite is Praz (FR). This winegrowing village is part of the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of national importance and its charm really appealed to me. If you are an early bird, you should definitely use the morning hours. Then you have the lake almost for yourself.
Lake Pfäffikon – SUP near Switzerlands’ biggest city
If you want to go Stand-Up-Paddling in the canton of Zurich, you have two other big lakes to choose from besides Lake Zurich. It’s either Lake Greifen or Lake Pfäffikon. Both lakes are definitely worth a trip.
To start your adventure you can either start in one of the various entry points in Pfäffikon itself or go to one of the public bathing facilities. Also worthwhile is a trip in combination with the experience farm Juckerhof, which is located directly above the Pfäffikersee in Seegräben. However, since parking spaces are very limited, it is advisable to arrive before the opening time of the Juckerhof.
From the parking lot to the lake it takes about 5-7 minutes, while a gorgeous entry point with very few people is waiting for you.
Statutory SEA requirements
Important: Before you take your Stand Up Paddle (SUP) out on Swiss waters, you must read the legal regulations. For example, the SUP must be labelled with your name, address and preferably telephone number. If you go more than 300 metres from the shore zone, you need a life-saving device such as a life jacket. The complete list of SUP rules can be found here.
