With patience, craftsmanship and a great deal of passion, a tree is transformed into a unique piece of furniture. The exhibition by Betschart Carpentry, ‘From Tree to Table’, held at the Spritzenhaus in Walchwil, provided a fascinating insight into how this process works.

Every tree carries its own story. Wind, rain, sun and the changing seasons leave their mark on the wood, giving it its unmistakable character. Through craftsmanship, precision and a great deal of passion, this natural beauty is transformed into far more than just a piece of furniture – it gives rise to unique creations with a soul, which bring warmth, comfort and timeless elegance to living spaces.

The exhibition impressively demonstrated how a mighty tree is transformed into a high-quality table through carefully selected sawn timber and precise craftsmanship. In doing so, it bridged the gap between nature, traditional joinery and modern design, illustrating how lasting value is created from a simple raw material.

The keen interest shown by visitors demonstrated that wood is valued today more than ever – as a sustainable material, as an expression of naturalness and as a material with unmistakable character.

The demonstration by Betschart Carpentry was particularly impressive. Right before the audience’s eyes, they were shown, step by step, how a high-quality table is crafted from Walchwil timber using a great deal of experience, finesse and attention to detail. The demonstration made it clear that genuine craftsmanship takes time – and that this is precisely where the value and beauty of such a piece of furniture lie. kh.

Following the atmospheric accordion evening and the traditional costume dance on Wednesday, a touch of Caribbean flair took over the village square on Friday evening (26 June 2026).

The Cuban group Noche Latina, featuring Encantigo, set off a musical fireworks display with fiery rhythms, rousing melodies and an exuberant zest for life, captivating the audience from the very first note.

With every beat, the village square seemed to drift a little closer to the Caribbean. In the mind’s eye, palm trees swayed in the warm breeze, the turquoise sea glistened in the evening sun, and Cuba’s carefree spirit was almost tangible. For a few hours, everyday life was forgotten, whilst a hint of holidays, wanderlust and boundless joie de vivre wafted through the balmy summer night. Where people had just been dancing and laughing, hearts beat to the rhythm of the music – passionately, carefree and full of South American temperament. kh.

Last Thursday, for once, the men’s gymnastics group wasn’t filled with the smell of the gym, the groans of push-ups or the counting of fitness exercises. Instead, 15 cheerful members set off for the mini-golf course, where clubs, small balls and plenty of camaraderie awaited them.

It soon became clear that mini-golf is far more than just a leisurely pastime. With plenty of ambition, a keen sense of touch and, at times, almost philosophical patience, the players attempted to guide their balls over hills, through tubes and elegantly past obstacles to the finish. Yet the little balls occasionally took on a life of their own and did not always follow the path their owners had intended.

Of course, it quickly became clear why this was the case: it was down to the devious obstacles, the unpredictable edges and the treacherous course conditions – but never down to the players’ own skill. Accordingly, missed opportunities were laughed off, lucky shots marvelled at, and every successful stroke acknowledged with a satisfied smile.

At the end of the entertaining evening, Andreas Hürlimann was crowned the winner. With a steady hand and enviable feel for the ball, he conquered the courses most successfully. Whilst his moments of brilliance on the putting green rarely make the headlines, he impressively demonstrated on the mini-golf course that he is a true master of precision play. kh

Following their impressive performance at the Swiss National Music Festival, the Walchwil Music Society was treated to a warm and fitting welcome back home.

Although the weather gods were not kind to the traditional association, founded in 1895, and sent rain clouds over Walchwil, this did nothing to dampen the festive mood. Without further ado, the reception was moved to the Catholic church, where the musicians were welcomed by the village associations and the Arth Music Society with loud applause and palpable camaraderie.

In a festive atmosphere, the return of the dedicated performers was duly celebrated, and their achievements at the Swiss National Festival were honored.

Following the tributes, the most important part of the evening began: the assault on the grill and the beverage stand. Grill master Bruno worked nonstop, while the sausages donated by the municipality changed hands at an astonishing speed. The festive crowd also showed great solidarity when it came to the drinks—after all, no one wanted to let the generous offer go to waste. Because in Walchwil, it seems, culture and camaraderie are important, but enjoying free sausages and cold drinks takes top priority. kh.

In a festive atmosphere and before a large audience, the Walchwil Folk Costume Group put on an atmospheric evening of entertainment on Saturday (2 May 2026). The occasion was marked by several anniversaries: 85 years of the Walchwil Traditional Costume Group, 35 years of the Children’s Traditional Costume Group, and 15 years of friendly collaboration with the Ägerital Traditional Costume Group.

The village hall proved a fitting setting for an evening that uniquely combined tradition and conviviality. Madeleine and Lara guided the audience through the varied programme with great charm.

The Children’s Traditional Costume Group kicked things off with a lively witch’s dance, which brought a sense of freshness and joie de vivre to the stage and was met with warm applause. The Edelweiss Yodelling Club added a melodious touch; their performance of yodelling, accompanied by the warm tones of the alphorn, created a truly impressive atmosphere.

Not to be forgotten were the varied dances performed by the Walchwil/Ägertal folk costume group, which were presented with elegance, precision and obvious joy, keeping the cultural heritage alive in a truly impressive manner.

To round off the evening, the Walchwil Happy Dancers delighted the audience with an energetic performance, bringing the evening to a lively close.

It was remarkable to see so many newcomers among the visitors, who immersed themselves in Walchwil’s traditions with interest and openness, thus impressively demonstrating the unifying power of local customs.

The evening was therefore not only marked by anniversaries, but also by a vibrant community in which traditions are cherished and, at the same time, passed on with an open spirit. kh.

For more photos, see the picture gallerie

In the 4th Division championship, FC Walchwil and Blau-Weiss Zug faced off at Lienisberg – and the spectators certainly didn’t regret turning up. In an intense, at times scrappy match, Walchwil kept their cool and ultimately ran out deserved 4–1 winners. By half-time, the hosts were already leading 2-1.

The hosts did not get off to a flying start. The game seemed disjointed at first, almost sluggish – a battle for control, marked by tough challenges. Blau-Weiss Zug sought to make their mark with uncompromising tackling, but Walchwil held their ground – not with roughness, but with patience and growing determination.

Then came Remo Hürlimann’s moment. Cool as ice in front of goal, he took his chance and put Walchwil ahead. The goal acted as a wake-up call. Suddenly, there was a sense of ease and precision – and Kevin Simoni doubled the lead. Although Blau-Weiss managed to pull one back in the meantime, the narrow but deserved 2-1 lead remained at half-time.

After the break, Walchwil made another statement: Remo Hürlimann capped off his strong performance with a stunning, spectacular goal to make it 3–1 – leaving the spectators in awe. Martin Truttmann finally put the icing on the cake, sealing the victory with the goal that made it 4–1.

And so the large crowd left the Lienisberg football ground satisfied and thoroughly entertained – knowing they had witnessed a committed and impressive performance from their team. kh.

 

FC Walchwil - Blau Weiss Zug 4:1 (2:1)

Line-up
Dale Hager; Hansruedi Nideröst, Elias Hürlimann, Silvan Kamer, Simon Fuchs; Martin Truttmann, Remo Hürlimann (C), Neil Hager; Robin Holzmann, Kevin Simoni, Sven Truttmann.

Replacement
Remo Birrer, Gregor Rust, Mathias Camenzind, David Hürlimann, Max Winkelmann.

Goals
Remo Hürlimann (2), Kevin Simoni, Martin Truttmann.

Coach
Simon Fuchs.

Table
1. SK Root 13/32, 2. FC Muotathal 13/24, 3. FC Perlen-Buchrain II 13/22, 4. SC Cham III 13/21, 5. FC Sins a 13/18, 6. FC Hünenberg II 13/16, 7. Eibuselection CF 13/16, 8. FC Walchwil 13/13, 9. Blau Weiss Zug 13/12, 10. SC Steinhausen 12/3.

Next match
Sunday, 3 May 2026 – 3.00 pm
SK Root I - FC Walchwil

The 2025 financial statements of the Municipality of Walchwil are significantly better than budgeted. Thanks to a disciplined spending policy and higher tax revenues, income of CHF 34.0 million and expenditure of CHF 26.3 million have resulted in a surplus of CHF 7.7 million. The budget had forecast a surplus of CHF 1.7 million.

Ordinary tax revenues exceeded the budget by CHF 6.3 million. This is mainly attributable to additional revenue from personal income tax from previous years (+CHF 5.9 million). It should be noted, however, that due to subsequent ordinary assessments of persons subject to withholding tax, corresponding offsetting entries had to be made against withholding tax revenue (-CHF 2.5 million). Tax revenue from personal income tax in the reference year (+CHF 1.7 million) and from personal wealth tax from previous years (+CHF 1.0 million) also exceeded the budgeted figure.

Total expenditure was approximately CHF 0.6 million higher than budgeted. In most areas, expenditure was within budget or below it. However, the calculated contribution to the Zug Financial Equalisation Scheme (ZFA) resulted in costs that were CHF 1.7 million higher, due to the higher tax revenues.

Net investments in 2025 totalled CHF 0.5 million. The budgeted figure was CHF 1.2 million. Some projects were brought forward or could not be implemented.

Net assets at the end of 2025 stood at CHF 39,375,883, corresponding to per capita assets of CHF 9,815 (previous year: CHF 7,657). The population has risen from 3,994 to 4,012.

The results of the 2025 income statement are as follows:

At the municipal assembly on 23 June 2026, the Municipal Council will propose using part of the surplus of approximately CHF 7.7 million to pre-finance the depreciation of the school expansion project. CHF 2.0 million is to be allocated for this purpose. The remaining CHF 5.7 million is to be allocated to retained earnings.

Following these allocations, retained earnings will amount to approximately CHF 51.7 million. Walchwil Municipal Council

On Thursday evening (5 March 2026) the Walchwil men's club enjoyed a special change of pace at the Bocciodromo Zug.

Twelve men from the club met to play boccia together. Although technique was not the main focus, the joy of playing was clearly palpable and outshone everything else. This activity was part of the men's group's annual plan, which regularly includes such diversions to offer members new experiences.

The group usually spends its evenings doing other activities, but on this evening the focus was on the enjoyment of the game and the camaraderie. kh.

Instead of working up a sweat in the gym, this time a hike was on the agenda: from the village, 450 metres above sea level, up to the Rust cheese hut at an impressive 980 metres above sea level. The sweat flowed freely, as did motivation – at least when thinking about the destination.

Passing the 30-tonne boulder that spectacularly thundered down onto Hinterbergstrasse last year, the trail led over the Franzosenloch and steadily uphill.

Once at the top, the first order of business was to change shirts, take a deep breath – and enjoy a well-deserved beer from the region. Afterwards, under the expert guidance of Andy Rust, the participants were allowed to prepare a mountain cheese fondue, accompanied by fine white wine. Only then was there time for conversation: the topic of ‘replacing the head coach’ provided plenty of discussion material. As always, everyone knew how things could be improved – the big question remains whether a doer can be found.

The return journey was, of course, on foot again. However, it turned out to be a little more winding than the ascent, which was clearly due to the increased consumption of schnapps.

A big thank you to Andy for the great hospitality and expert guidance. We are already looking forward to next year! Guido Pirovino / Kurt Hildbrand

On 10 January 2026, the Walchwil Men's Club, including of course the charming ladies, met for their traditional Balchenmöhli at the Aesch restaurant. A total of 36 participants accepted the invitation and enjoyed a delicious fish dinner in convivial company.

After the culinary prelude, the club president addressed those present. His speech attracted particular attention because he took up a topic that was both topical and exciting: what does ChatGPT actually mean by the term ‘Balchen’? The sometimes surprising, sometimes amusing reflections sparked lively conversations and smiles.

Another highlight of the evening was the guessing game. The participants tried their luck with great enthusiasm and humour. The local and fine prizes were very well received and contributed to the relaxed and cheerful atmosphere.

For some, the evening was far from over after the official part: they ended the successful event with a cosy ‘Marc’ and enjoyed the camaraderie until the early hours. The host was very satisfied with how smoothly the evening went and the good atmosphere – even if he was visibly tired at the end of the evening.

An evening where all the participants were full and satisfied and the host was tired – a Balchenmöhli could hardly have ended better. Guido Pirovino

A speed limit of 30 km/h in town centres is no longer a rarity in Switzerland. Introducing it in Walchwil in the Engel/Sternen/Oberdorfstrasse/Aesch triangle should at least be worth a discussion.

According to surveys, safety is an important need for many residents of a locality. A speed limit of 30 km/h in town centres has been shown to increase the safety of all road users, be they children, senior citizens, pedestrians or cyclists. Thanks to lower speeds, communication among all road users improves, aggressive behaviour decreases and mutual consideration grows.

The number and severity of traffic accidents in neighbourhoods also decreases at a speed of 30 km/h. Based on extensive accident evaluations, it can be statistically determined that the consequences of injuries worsen disproportionately with increasing speed. At lower speeds, school routes become less dangerous and slower road users feel safer.

Under certain circumstances, a speed limit of 30 kph may even create space for playing and social activities. Drivers also lose little time, but have a better view of the traffic situation. Meanwhile, residents living in a 30 km/h zone enjoy more peace and quiet and a better quality of life.

The legal basis for 30 km/h, i.e. for a deviation from the general speed limit, is Art. 108 SSV (Signalling Ordinance) of 1979. Paragraph 1 of the article states that the speed limit may be restricted in particular to avoid or reduce particular hazards, to reduce excessive pollution and to improve traffic flow.

Sources: Verkehrs-Club der Schweiz (VCS), Advice centre for accident prevention (BFU)

In Walchwil, the start of carnival season was celebrated in traditional style at Restaurant Aesch on 11 November.

The secret is out: Gregor Bochsler and Pascal Aeschlimann were presented as the new Hudivater and his deputy at Aesch on Tuesday evening. They will be actively supported by the carnival society and will lead the fifth season under the motto ‘HudivatAir’. The election – and with it a large parade – only takes place every three years.

The Hudivater is the jester head of the Walchwil carnival. Together with his deputy Hudivater, he rules with a sceptre during his three-year term of office and ensures the colourful hustle and bustle in the village with plenty of humour, creativity and passion. He is responsible for planning the carnival activities, in particular the traditional parade. He is actively supported in this by the carnival society, which assists him in organising the many carnival highlights. kh.

Ghosts, vampires and monsters: on Saturday, 1 November 2025, Halloween fans gathered in Zipfel. The party was organised by the Walchwil International Men's Club.

The festival of horror has its origins in Ireland: in pre-Christian times, the Celts celebrated Samhain, one of their most important festivals, on 31 October.

A fantastic party with perfect decorations created the desired spooky atmosphere. The atmospheric Halloween cave offered a variety of activities with ghosts, vampires and monsters. DJ Neil MacLeod provided musical entertainment with fat beats, while the Walchwil International Men's Club took care of the guests' physical well-being.

It was a night full of music and fun that perfectly conveyed the spooky atmosphere. kh.

For more pictures, see the Halloween Party 2025 photo gallery.

The traffic police pulled over a young driver who was travelling at a significantly excessive speed. The 20-year-old will be charged and his vehicle has been impounded.

On Friday afternoon (3 October 2025), shortly before 2 p.m., a semi-stationary speed measurement device on Zugerstrasse in Walchwil recorded a passenger car travelling towards Zug at a net speed of 121 km/h while overtaking. The speed limit on this section of road is 60 km/h.

The 20-year-old driver was stopped shortly afterwards. His provisional driving licence was confiscated and handed over to the administrative authorities. The car was also impounded and the Zug public prosecutor's office has opened a criminal investigation. Zug Police

Last Monday (29 September 2025), the municipality of Walchwil hosted its traditional new residents' reception – a wonderful opportunity for newcomers to get to know the village, its institutions and each other better. Around 60 new residents accepted the invitation to the community hall, where they received a warm welcome.

Mayor Stefan Hermann greeted the guests with a short but heartfelt speech in which he highlighted Walchwil's quality of life and unique location. The view of Lake Zug is not the only thing that makes the village worth living in – community spirit also plays a central role.

Councillor Manuel Studer then took the floor and captivated those present with a lively, insightful presentation on Walchwil's history, peculiarities and well-kept secrets.

A particular highlight of the evening was the personal account of James Amoroso, who came to Walchwil as an expat and is now a prime example of how successful integration into village and community life can be. His words were both inspiring and entertaining – a true bridge builder between cultures.

No less impressive – and at the same time tongue-in-cheek – were the representatives of the Walchwil men's gymnastics club: dressed in their sporty work clothes, i.e. shorts, they charmingly took up their duties in the community hall. Their appearance raised many smiles and showed once again that Walchwil is a place where solidarity is lived and breathed – with heart, humour and commitment.

The various Walchwil clubs were also represented with great enthusiasm. They presented their diverse offerings, distributed information material and held constructive discussions with interested newcomers. Let's see – perhaps some clubs will soon be welcoming new members!

During a cosy aperitif with local specialities, lively conversations took place, initial contacts were made and one or two new faces soon became familiar.

The charming catering was provided by Restaurant Aesch – with great attention to detail and a keen sense of the guests' tastes. The culinary accompaniment rounded off the evening perfectly.

At the end of the successful event, each participant was given a carefully assembled bag of Walchwil delicacies to take home – a heartfelt thank you from the municipality to its new residents. The ‘Chilbi-Batzen’ was particularly popular, arousing anticipation for the Walchwil Chilbi festival on 11/12 October 2025. Let's hope that this Batzen will find its way back to the festival organisers again then.

The event was a complete success – not only in terms of organisation, but above all on a human level. With a great deal of commitment and openness, the municipality of Walchwil has shown that those who arrive here are not only welcome – they become part of a lively community. Guido Pirovino

Around fifty women of different generations from Walchwil gathered for a mountain church service at the farm on Hasengutnacht – and quite a few men too!

For their reflection, the liturgy group of the women's community chose the symbol of the tree, which also appears frequently in the Bible. The personal voices from the group came across impressively. Wendel Hürlimann spread folk sounds, and Daniela Hürlimann accompanied the songs with ease on her flute. The view of the wide countryside created a special atmosphere as darkness fell. The convivial and lively atmosphere continued for a while longer with cake and drinks. At the end, everyone was able to take home a souvenir related to the theme: will it turn into fruit trees with surprises? Thanks are due to the hosts Fränzi and Björn Hürlimann-Betschart, the musicians mentioned above and the organising committee.

The women's community will invite everyone back to the mountain next year – we can't wait to see which farm it will be! Hans Ruedi Kilchsperger

 

Images: Tetiana Shakhno and Hans Ruedi Kilchsperger

Will a new gourmet temple emerge on the Walchwilerberg after the closure of the Engel restaurant?

Hikers, bikers and families were delighted that the popular Paffenboden mountain restaurant on the Walchwilerberg was reopening after a renovation break. But the day trippers rejoiced too soon! At lunchtime, the place is yawningly empty. Oh yes, the mountain hut only opens at 4.00 pm and closes at 10.00 pm. And that's only from Friday to Tuesday. And the prices are at a very high level, which suggests that a high-class restaurant is being built on the Walchwilerberg. Restaurant Pfaffenboden

Don't you expect good, simple food at reasonable prices from a mountain restaurant? Obviously they no longer want to welcome ordinary people as guests at Paffenboden.

What did the landlord –  the Walchwil Corporation – think of letting the restaurant to such a tenant?

PS: In the meantime, the opening hours have been adjusted. See website Restaurant Pfaffenboden Guido Pirovino, Kurt Hildbrand

After the poor performance of the footballers on the Lienisberg, the netball team saved Walchwil's Sports Sunday. They once again became Swiss champions in Reiden.

In 15 games over two days, they scored 28 out of a possible 30 points. Every game, no matter who they were up against, required a lot of strength and concentration. The players and their fans were delighted to win the Swiss championship title. For the second time in a row and for the third time overall, Walchwil took first place with this team. Second place went to the other team from the canton of Zug, Hünenberg, followed by Hellbühl. The seven women – Eliane Hürlimann, Esther Hürlimann, Fabienne Hürlimann, Liv Fuchser, Salome Hürlimann, Sandra Hürlimann and coach Gisela Dolder – rounded off the extremely successful weekend in the Aesch restaurant in Walchwil. Fabienne Hürlimann

Now it's final: the Asian gourmet temple Engel is bankrupt. The restaurant, which was run by Kesang Soghatshang, filed for bankruptcy on 28 April. It had been closed since December 2024 and focussed on Asian cuisine in the high-price segment.

On Saturday morning, The Walchwil International Mens Club were warmly welcomed by Nicole & Peter Hürlimann to Distillery Eichhof.

Peter spoke with passion about his family’s distillery, taking the club through the traditional production process & enthusiastically answering questions based on his considerable knowledge passed down through the generations

Of course no visit to a distillery is complete without a little tasting, and based on the number of bottles bought, the Gold and Silver award winning Zuger Kirsch proved to be top of the class.

It's incredible that we have such an impressive traditional award winning Distillery right in the heart of the village, and we highly recommend that you go any check out the farm shop. Neil Macleod

 

 

Over 70 members and guests experienced a wonderful evening at the Restaurant Aesch.

Guest speaker Manual Studer, representing the Gemeinderat and Kulturkommission Walchwil, treated guests to an upbeat and amusing reflection on just how far the club has come since becoming a Verein earlier in the year, as well as the importance of ongoing collaboration to drive further cultural integration in Walchwil

Dani and his team at the Restaurant Aesch were wonderful hosts, with exceptional food served with friendly enthusiasm.

Under the motto ‘join in – stay fit’, we meet every Thursday in the gym or sometimes outside in summer to do something for our fitness together – but also for fun and games.

We are active and adventurous men aged from 30 to over 80, and we prioritise exercise, fitness, fun, sociability and camaraderie over top sporting performance. We often have a good laugh while playing.

After the ‘fitness’ session, we enjoy a small drink to discuss current topics of the week or simply quench our thirst. In addition to gymnastics, we go on excursions and take an active part in village life and other social activities. Trained or untrained, everyone is welcome.

Would you like to get some exercise in a friendly, sociable group? Then sign up for a non-binding trial training session.

Information at: https://maennerriege-walchwil.ch/

Guido Pirovino

 

The years of rising electricity prices are over: on Thursday, the Swiss Federal Electricity Commission (Elcom) published the total electricity prices for private households in 2025. In 2025, the annual electricity costs for a typical household in Walchwil will be around CHF 1,298, which is around CHF 207 less than in 2024, corresponding to a decrease of 13.8 per cent.

Under the motto "join in - stay fit" we meet every Thursday in the gym or in summer outside to do something together for our fitness - but also for fun & games. And about once a month we devote ourselves to social activities.

We are active and adventurous men from the age of 30 to over 80. Exercise, fitness, fun and sociability as well as camaraderie are more important to us than sporting excellence. So there is often hearty laughter during the game. After the "fit" there is a small drink to discuss current weekly topics or simply to quench the thirst.

In addition to gymnastics, we go on excursions and actively participate in village life. Trained or untrained, all are welcome.

Would you like to do some exercise in a friendly, sociable atmosphere? Then sign up for a non-binding trial training.

https://maennerriege-walchwil.ch/kontakt

Weekly gym session
Thursday, 20.00 to 21.30
Oberstufenturnhalle
Schulhausstrasse 44
6318 Walchwil

Number of nations (incl. Swiss): 68
Population: 4010

Largest groups of foreigners in Walchwil
Germany: 336
Great Britain: 164
Italy: 62
Russia: 58
France: 57
Denmark: 50
Netherlands: 50
Sweden: 44
Belgium: 40
USA: 39

These nationalities live in Walchwil
Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cabo Verde, China, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, India, Iraq, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Austria, Kazakhstan, Colombia, Korea (South), Kosovo, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, South Africa, Sweden. Kitts and Nevis, South Africa, Syria, Thailand, Czech Republic, Turkey, Ukraine, Hungary, Venezuela, USA, UK, Vietnam.

Sources
Data as of 31.12.2019. There are no more recent data on the foreign resident population in Switzerland. The data from the previous year are published on 1 September of the following year.
The data was collected by the Federal Statistical Office and the Statistical Office of the Canton of Zurich.