Gräpplang Castle in Flums, Switzerland

To be honest, I had never heard of Gräpplang Castle.

I certainly hadn’t planned on going. But as I was organizing my itinerary for Lucerne, my stepmother mentioned her family’s connection to it. Apparently, Gräpplang Castle once belonged to the Tschudi family, and my stepmother is one of their descendants. Pretty amazing, right?

Since she knew she’d never get to visit, she thought it would be meaningful if I could see it for her. But I wasn’t sure. It wasn’t close to anything else on my list, and I’d be traveling solo, without a car, and relying on public transportation. It felt like it might be too far out of the way.

So many excuses for me not to go!

But after a few days navigating the trains and buses in Lucerne, and having a free day in my schedule, I put my hesitations aside and decided to go for it! And I’m so glad I did!

A Little History

There isn’t a great deal of information online about the castle. From what I have read though, Gräpplang castle was built around 1220 by the Knights of Flums. A couple hundred years later, the Old Zurich War took place and the castle was extorted to get protection, but it was never attacked or destroyed.

In 1528 the property was given to Ludwig Tschudi von Glarus. The castle remained in the Tschudi family for over 225 years, until 1767. Eventually the castle was in ruins and sold for demolition. Finally, in 1923, what was left of Gräpplang Castle was taken over by the commune of Flums and work began to restore the castle.  

Getting to Gräpplang Castle

Once I mapped it out, I almost backed out again—using public transportation was going to take three hours each way! Reaching Gräpplang Castle would involve two trains, a bus, and a mile-and-a-half walk from the bus stop. 

It felt daunting for a day trip. But I trust Google Maps for travel; it gave me the train, bus, and walking times all laid out, which helped me push forward.

If I’d had a car, the trip would have only taken a little over an hour, and I could have driven up to the castle itself, avoiding the walk. But, in the end, the walk there turned out to be one of the best parts.

This doesn’t even seem real!

The bus dropped me off in a charming, picturesque neighborhood with narrow streets, Swiss cottages, and a quaint old church off to the left. It was like stepping into another world, far from the tourist crowds.

After the paved walk through the neighborhood ended, a dirt path led to a highway overpass. There was a pedestrian walkway to cross the overpass, and then, just like that, I was in a scene straight out of Heidi. 

I was walking alongside meadows, cows grazing, birds singing, all with the Alps standing tall around me—and, in the distance, the castle ruins. It was like stepping into a fairy tale. I kept thinking, Is this really happening?  

Wandering though cow filled pastures – Moooo!!!!

The Castle Grounds

When I reached the castle, I was completely alone. Just me, the occasional “moo” from a cow, and the quiet ring of cowbells in the distance. It was so peaceful.

As I wandered the grounds, I imagined the days when the Tschudi family lived there—hosting gatherings, sharing meals, children running around. 

I’d thought the ruins were just a shell, with maybe a dirt floor inside. But as I got closer, I realized there were stairs leading to different levels and rooms hidden around corners, like a maze. I spent over an hour exploring, feeling like a kid again as I discovered each little corner and level.

Be sure to take a look at my YouTube video at the bottom of this post that takes you on a tour of the castle!

Where is Grapplang Castle?

Gräpplang Castle is located in Flums, Switzerland. From Lucerne, it’s a bit over an hour by car or almost three hours using public transportation and walking.

I didn’t have a car, so I used public transportation. Google maps worked perfectly for directions from my hotel in Lucerne. The options were plentiful, and I chose a combination of two trains, a bus, and a mile and a half walk to reach the site of the ruins.

Google maps also shows the information and times for the trains and bus and even the walking directions.

You’ll want to print out or screenshot the directions and train/bus times because your phone may not receive a signal out there. I didn’t have any signal. Zero. 

If you have a car and drive, you can drive right up to the castle. No need to walk the mile and a half. 

Final thoughts

Although I had some hesitation about going, I have to say, this ranks right up there as one of the best things I have ever done!  

Yes, the castle is truly magical and the journey there was breathtaking…but holy cow (pun intended) what a feeling! To know that I was able to push past my doubts and believe in myself enough to figure out how to get there and actually GO – and go on my own!