selected Walks in Zurich Canton
The walks below include a few lesser-known options if you find yourself wanting to go exploring in and around Zürich city.
Difficulty: Easy Distance: 5.6 – 7km Duration: 2 hours Height difference: 8m up/120m down
Uetliberg is an 871m ridge above Zurich which offers views of Zurich city, the lake, and on clear days, the mountains. There are options for eating close to the train stop. You can start the walk with a full stomach by eating at the more casual Hillz Restaurant which has both self-service and evening table service options. They also have a Kiosk for takeaway with outdoor seating. Another option is the upmarket restaurant called Uto Kulm which is a 600-meter walk to the top of Uetliberg. There is also an observation tower at this point, which costs CHF5 to climb, and has several platforms for viewing options in all directions. You can travel by car, but it involves a long, sometimes steep ascent. The most comfortable way is with the Uetlibergbahn, a train that goes from the Zurich main station to the mountain station. From there it is just a short walk to the top. This point is the start of various walks.
One of the walks is the Planetenweg – this trail goes along the ridge of Uetliberg and shows the planets in our solar system to scale. One millimeter in this model is 1000 km in our solar system. Walking this trail is equivalent to moving at over twice the speed of light (the speed of light in nature is 300,000 km/sec, in the model 30 cm/sec). This trail ends at Adliswil, Felsenegg where you can descend via cable car to Adliswil. From here it is easy to take a train back to Zurich Main Station.
Overview:
- Classified as an easy 2-hour walk with both sealed and dirt track, plus some steps.
- models of the planets (to scale) as well as general information – Walk to Pluto is past Felsenegg Cable Car by approx. 1 km
- grilling spots
- water fountains,
- forest walk
- views over both side of the ridge – Zurich and the Zurich Canton countryside
- access to further trails in the area
- Access to stage 2 of official walking Route No. 47 which eventually ends up on the banks of Lake Zug. Further details can be found at the Switzerland Mobility website.
- Picnic area and playground at the start
Getting There: S10 train which takes 27 mins. Getting Back: Felsenegg cable car leaving every 15 minutes to Adliswil, then 6 minutes walk to Adliswil train station.
Lake Zürich’s east side
Difficulty: Easy Distance: 8km Uphill: 170m Downhill: 170m. This walk can be done as you want. Just look at Google maps for an idea of what you can view on the way.
Waterfall near start of Tobelweg
Before starting this walk we had an idea of what we wanted to see en-route. This is what we found, and the order we found them in, on our walk:
Many, many mini and not so mini waterfalls – on a natural river, with lovely naturally forested surrounds.These man made cascades have an interesting historical past and significance to this area.
Kusnacht Township
We wandered down, past the historical centre of Küsnacht village (Dorf), following the river until we reached the village museum then found the signposts for the path.
Tobelweg
We walked down the Tobelweg on the southern side of the river. The first stop was the clearing with large boulders scattered throughout. These boulders represent different parts of Switzerland and the kind of stone that can be found there. There is an information plaque but, as with all plaques on this walk, it is in German. Here is a link to show the details in English.
The retreat of a large glacier at the end of the last ice age created both Lake Zurich and the Tobel river.
The Alexander Stone (Alexanderstein)
This boulder was dumped here during the last ice-age; travelling with a glacier from high up in the alps to this point.
Wulp Castle Ruins
The impressive ruins of Wulp castle are shrouded in mystery, with hints left from its past – which are all explained on a plaque. Roman artifacts have also been found here, evidence of a bronze age settlement have been found around this hilltop. To get you will go up quite a steep hill, directly after leaving the river. The hill has a good path with steps. A Vita Parcours goes through here so visiting the castle could be combined with your exercise routine. (Parcours in Switzerland are very well maintained and easy to follow – I recommend them).
Where the Rhine and Thur Meet
My home, north of Zurich city, is close to the Rhine and Thur rivers. This area northeast of Zurich is full of rolling hills, thick forests, fields and vineyards. You pass through dozens of pristine towns filled with half-timbered houses to reach the rivers’ banks. There are countless possibilities for tranquil walks in and around these two rivers. In the summer months, the river banks are popular places for a swim, picnic and grill. I have only seen a few of these picnic spots and walked alongside a small part of the river’s banks but still managed to find some places well worth mentioning.
Eglisau
Eglisau
These two walks offer forested and meadow walking between vineyards and the Rhine River with the pretty little town of Eglisau as the starting point. There are many opportunities to have a grill and view the river and surrounding countryside. Important to note: The grilling or BBQs are restricted to the designated areas. This is to ensure the natural landscape is preserved.
Weekend walk – with an option of a short ferry crossing (depending on the time of year).
Difficulty: Easy Distance: 9.4 km Uphill: 130m Downhill: 120m Ferry crossing times: Sat 6th June – 26th Sept. every few minutes from 13:00-17:00; Sundays and public holidays 01st June – 27th Sept 10:00-18:00; 04th Oct. – 18th Oct. 13:00 to 17:00
This nice flat walk with ever-changing views out to the Rhine river is well worth a side trip. There are several idyllic spots close to the Rhine for grilling or having a picnic. You may only grill in the designated spots but there are enough for everyone – on both sides of the Rhine. You can do either the round trip or a one-way on the northern side of the Rhine (the more picturesque side) if the ferry isn’t running. Warning there is no way of crossing the Rhine from Buchberg to Tössegg other than the weekend ferry which runs only in the summer months as I have mentioned in the green box above.
Getting There: Takes 32 mins with the S9 from Zurich Hauptbahnhof, leaving at 30 mins intervals. Getting Back: Same.
Alternative one-way trip from Eglisau to Rüdlingen centre
Difficulty: Easy Distance: 4.63km Uphill:160m Downhill: 150m
Public transport times – from Rüdlingen Gemeindehaus (Townhall) stop to Zurich’s Main Station:
Getting Home: The B675 Postbus goes in two directions – both get you back to Zurich Main Station: B675 at 20 mins past the hour, direction Rafz, then the S9 from Rafz to Zurich Mainstation. Total time: 1 hour 3 mins. B675 at 35 mins past the hour, direction Henggart, then the S12 from Henggart to Zurich Mainstation. Total Time: 1 hour 7 mins.
Nature Centre, swimming and camping
The Nature Centre close to Flaach, offers lovely walks alongside the Rhine. It is easily reached by Train No. S12 – direction Schaffhausen, then Bus 675 to Flaach Ziegelhütte. Or, off course, a 35-40 minute drive. The train journey passes through lovely countryside and little villages. There is a well kitted-out camping ground in beside the Nature Centre if you want to stay in the area.
