Switzerland is known for its mountains, multi-tools, neutral foreign policy and delicious chocolate. Whats lesser known is that Switzerland is also a paddlers Utopia.
Granted, not all the lakes are large and spectacular but they all have different personalities ranging from mellow and Med-esque like the Lago Maggiore in the South to the harsher, wind-swept waters you will find at Urnersee. I set out to explore the lakes with my partner Stefan Munsch and was surprised that after living in Switzerland for seven years I still discovered new spots and hidden gems.
One of my favorites is also one of the iconic Swiss lakes: Lake Geneva. Those who know me know that I love long-distance paddling, and in 2015 I decided to paddle the length of Lake Geneva along the French shore, 43 miles, in one day. The weather was perfect and the water calm. The changing scenery with medieval castles and picturesque villages along the shore made the 11-hour paddle truly enjoyable. Yet the definite highlight was the panoramic view of the snow-covered Alps. Lake Geneva is an ideal place to start one’s Swiss lake journey: It is not only the largest lake in the Alpine region but has many SUP rental stations and good places to launch along the shore.
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SHADENFREUDE
TEST REPORTS
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