For its 150th anniversary in 1988, the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo determined the geographic center of gravity for Switzerland from the recently digitized national boundary. If a map of Switzerland were pasted on cardboard, cut out along the boundary and balanced on a needle, the center of gravity would be the point of equilibrium.
The question of the center of Switzerland was therefore solved: 660 158 / 183 641, Älggialp, Sachseln, in the Canton of Obwalden. If one consults a topographic map 1:25,000 or hikes in the area with a GPS navigator, he will find that the coordinates indicate a point just above a rocky cliff to the west of Chli Aelggi. Except for chamois and mountain goats, it is impossible to reach this point. It was therefore moved 500 meters to the southeast for easier access by the public.
The municipality found it a good idea to mark this spot and donated the terrain around the small knoll, swisstopo provided a surveying pyramid, and the "Steinmanndli Club" built a wall around the spot in the shape of Switzerland.
Älggialp is an ideal destination for a hike with the family, a school trip or for an excursion with friends. At an altitude of 1650 m, pastures and meadows, pine trees and cliffs, the lake and the mountain restaurant are waiting to be discovered.