The area around the lake, which was dammed in 1957, was declared a nature conservation area in 2005 as a habitat for rare animal and plant species and as a valuable landscape and recreational amenity. A variety of bird species cavort and breed here, supplemented by rare migratory birds and winter visitors. In 2007 a fish ladder was built at the Sarneraa power plant dam, in whose excess water the fish are able to ascend along a natural migration route into the lake and upper reaches of the Sarneraa.
From the weir, the path switches northwards onto the dam that borders the collection pool of the Grosse Schliere. At the end of the dam, a footbridge crosses the Grosse Schliere and the path passes the southern end of the military airfield and over the motorway bridge to Alpnach railway station. Here the walk can be continued east of the railway line to the Kleine Schliere and on its left embankment to the delta of the Kleine Schliere. Passing the shipyard and through an alley, you reach Alpnachstad railway station.
Auf der A2 von Luzern her im Tunnel auf die A8 Richtung Interlaken, Sarnen wechseln und dann die Ausfahrt Sarnen Nord nehmen.
Von Interlaken via Brünig auf der A8 bis zur Ausfahrt Sarnen Nord.