Riesi is a stretch of shoreline at the northern end of the Hallwilersee, a long, narrow lake in the Aargau Seetal, between the villages of Seengen and Boniswil. It is a peaceful place of reeds, meadows and walking paths, and below the water and in the marshy ground lie the remains of prehistoric pile-dwelling settlements, part of the World Heritage list of such sites around the Alps.
The Hallwilersee is one of the cleaner and calmer lakes in the Swiss Mittelland, with a ring of villages, orchards and wooded hills around it. At its northern end, just outside Seengen, stands Schloss Hallwyl, one of the most beautiful moated castles in Switzerland, built on two islands in the stream that flows out of the lake. It was the seat of the Hallwyl family for centuries, and today it is a museum that brings their history to life, from medieval knights to nineteenth-century aristocrats.
The riding here is gentle and scenic. Roads run around both sides of the lake and into the surrounding hills, with good surfaces and moderate traffic. The routes towards the Lindenberg ridge, between the Seetal and the Freiamt, offer some nice curves and views of the Alps on clear days. This is farming country, so expect tractors, cyclists and the occasional herd of cows. Speed limits are strictly enforced, and villages often have traffic calming measures.
The lake is a nature reserve in parts, with reed beds that shelter birds such as great crested grebes, reed warblers and kingfishers. In summer, the water is warm enough for swimming, and there are several public bathing areas around the lake. Passenger boats cross between the villages in summer, a lazy way to see the shore from the water.
Seengen, about a kilometre away, is the nearest village with basic services, including a petrol station and restaurants. Villmergen, about five kilometres away, is the nearest town with more facilities. Lenzburg, with its imposing castle on a hill, is also nearby and worth a visit. Try a slice of Aargauer Rüeblitorte, a moist carrot cake that is a regional specialty, or local fish from the lake.