Arth, Oberarth & Goldau – At the Foot of the Queen of Mountains

In the very heart of Switzerland, between shimmering lakes and green slopes, lie three neighboring towns — Arth, Oberarth, and Goldau. Together they form a small yet vibrant region known simply as Arth-Goldau, a crossroads where trains, languages, and landscapes meet. Their shared railway station, Arth-Goldau, connects the north and south of the country — Zurich with Lugano, Basel with Milan — yet life here flows quietly, surrounded by forests and mountain air.

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Arth stretches gently along the shores of Lake Zug, with its pastel houses reflected in calm blue waters. The lakeside promenade, the old Church of St. George, and the view of Mount Rigi across the bay create a postcard image of Switzerland — peaceful, timeless, precise in every detail.

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A few minutes inland lies Oberarth, a village that feels almost untouched by time. Narrow streets twist between old farmhouses, and the rhythm of daily life here follows the sound of cowbells and the changing light on the mountains. It’s the kind of place where the Alps start to whisper — you’re close to something larger, older, and endlessly beautiful.

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And then comes Goldau, nestled right at the foot of the mountains. It’s home to the famous Nature and Animal Park Goldau, where deer, ibex, marmots, and bears wander freely among rocks and trees. Families come here for quiet walks and the gentle joy of being surrounded by nature. Yet the town also carries a dramatic story — it was destroyed in 1806 when a massive landslide from Mount Rossberg buried hundreds of homes. Today, you can walk through the boulder field left behind — a living reminder of nature’s strength and the community’s resilience.

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All three towns — Arth, Oberarth, and Goldau — lie at the foot of the Queen of Mountains, Mount Rigi. But that’s another story — one that begins at sunrise, high above the mist, where the lakes of Switzerland glisten like silver mirrors.

©Every Mile Story©Every Mile Story©Every Mile Story🏔️ Facts about Arth, Oberarth & Goldau
  • Municipality: Arth, Oberarth and Goldau together form the municipality of Arth in the Canton of Schwyz.
  • Location: The region lies at the foot of Mount Rigi, the “Queen of the Mountains,” near Lake Zug.
  • Arth: Known for its peaceful lakeside promenade, traditional houses, and scenic views across Lake Zug.
  • Oberarth: A historic connection between Arth and Goldau, shaped by old trade routes and classic Swiss village architecture.
  • Goldau: Rebuilt after the massive Rossberg rockslide of 1806, which reshaped the landscape and buried several villages.
  • Nature & Wildlife Park: Home to the beloved Goldau Wildlife Park, where deer and mouflons roam freely among visitors.
  • Railway Hub: Goldau is a major railway junction with connections to Ticino, Zurich, Lucerne, and the Rigi mountain railway.
  • Landscape: The rockslide area is now a designated natural reserve with striking rock formations.
  • Microclimate: The Rigi massif creates a unique mix of foggy valley mornings and sunny slopes above.

Learn more about Arth, Oberarth & Goldau and the canton of Schwyz, or explore our other travel stories.

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Nature stop

Natur und Tierpark Goldau 📍 Click to find

The park is a beautiful and peaceful escape in the mountains. The animals are very well cared

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Where in Switzerland?

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This stop in context

About 84 km from Bern.

  • 🏛 Capital: Bern
  • 📍 Distance from capital: 84 km
  • 🧭 Coordinates: 47.049° N, 8.55° E
  • 👥 Population: 8.7M
  • 💶 Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)
  • 🗣 Language: German, French, Italian, Romansh (Rumantsch)
  • ⏰ Timezone: UTC+1
Trip location Bern Straight-line distance

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