Rothenthurm looks like an ordinary Swiss village on an open plateau, and then you learn that it changed national law. In 1987 voters approved the so-called Rothenthurm Initiative, which protected the high moors of Switzerland from development and stopped the army from building a training ground on the plain here. It was a surprise victory for conservation and remains a point of local pride. The moor is a raised bog, a spongy landscape of peat, cotton grass and stunted pine, formed over thousands of years after the ice retreated.
The land is flat and wide at around 920 metres, ringed by hills, and the cold air pools here on still nights. Rothenthurm is known as one of the coldest places in inhabited Switzerland, and in winter the plain is a favourite for cross-country skiing, with tracks laid across the open fields. In summer the same landscape is green, quiet and full of the sound of wind in the grasses, and you may see birds such as curlews and lapwings if the season is right.
For riders, the moor road is a change of pace. After the climbs and hairpins of the passes, it is flat and direct, with long straight sections and fast, clear visibility across the open ground. That makes it relaxing, but also exposed. Crosswinds can be strong, especially when a cold front comes in from the west, and the plateau gives no shelter. Early morning mist can lie in the hollows, and frost can persist on the road well into spring.
Einsiedeln, about six kilometres away, is the nearest large town with fuel and food, and Sattel and Biberbrugg are closer for a quick stop. The village itself has a historic bridge and a handful of inns and cafés, but check opening times, since small places often close in the afternoon. A hot drink is welcome on a cool day, and the old inns serve local dishes such as sausage and rösti.
Look out for the old fortified wall that once blocked the valley, a medieval defence line of the Schwyz farmers. It is not the kind of thing you spot at speed, but it adds a layer of meaning to the land. Take your time, and watch for wildlife crossing near the moor edges.