Bike Ride: Zimmerberg to Gattiker Weiher

I’ve been exploring Zurich’s silver coast, looking for more bike paths for kids. I found a fun ride along Zimmerberg, the hills along the southwest side of Zürich lake, through Kilchberg, Rüschlikon and Thalwil. I didn’t realize how many pretty green spaces are hidden in this area, accessible by bike and foot. Below I mark out suggested routes and highlight the prettiest spots on the tour.

Bike Route Overview 

This ride follows the official Bike Route 32, ending at two small lakes in Gattikon/Thalwil. The best part of this ride, particularly for families, is between Kilchberg and Gattiker Weiher, which passes through lots of green fields, dips into forests and ends at two lovely lakes. Most of this section is on low/no traffic roads.

You can join this trail at any point that is convenient to you. The map below shows the route starting at Zürich HB. Another logical place to start is at the Allmend park, which is near the Zürich Brunau train station and near Fork & Bottle (Allmendstrasse 20, 8002 Zürich), where you’ll find metered parking. 

We usually end our ride at the two lakes, the Gattiker Weiher and Waldweiher. There are picnic areas at both lakes with grill pits. There are several benches for lounging and plenty of room to safely run around. You cannot swim in either lake. There are walking paths around the lake if you want to park your bike and stroll a bit.

Then you can simply ride back the way you came, which is what I usually do. Or you can ride down the Sihl river and ride back that way (more about that below).

Option: Shorter version for kids

With our kids, we did a shorter, easier version to skip the long slow ascent from Zürich city. We loaded the bikes on the car and drove to Kilchberg. We parked in the metered parking near the Altersheim near the church and cemetery (Stockenstrasse 146, 8802 Kilchberg). Then we rode to the Gattiker Weiher and back, about 12 km round trip.

Option: Ride back along Sihl river

If you want to see something different on the way back, you can ride down to the Sihl river and ride back along the river, as shown on the map below. This joins Route 94 L’Areuse–Emme–Sihl.

From the Gattiker weiher, I typically ride down Gattikerstrasse, the main road that connects Gattikon to Langnau am Albis. Then I join the bike path along the Sihl river leading back to Zürich. 

Gattikerstrasse is busy and doesn’t have a bike lane the whole way. So I find it a bit dangerous myself and definitely don’t love it with kids. But it’s a short section, so you could walk this section on the sidewalk if you find it too dangerous for your kids. I tried riding through the forest and side streets to skip that busy road, but it’s a fool’s errand. It’s a steep hill and some of the paths too steep for our family to safely ride our non-mountain bike. 

Option: Longer route

I’ve ridden a couple times past the second lake (Waldweiher), but honestly it wasn’t that interesting. It’s a dirt path through a dense forest, not much to see. But if you want to keep going, check Route 32, which goes all the way Ziegelbrücke and beyond. 

Trail Impressions

I didn’t take a picture of all the turns on the path. Keep following the red Route 32 bike signs and refer to my route map if you are lost (you won’t get lost, it’s easy!).

Here’s where we started the ride with our kids in Kilchberg, near the retirement home and big church.

The cemetery behind the big church in Kilchberg.

The fields to your left are very pretty, especially in late April when the wildflowers start to bloom. You can take a short detour on the path through those fields. It’s allowed for bikes and, after a few minutes, will spit you back on the road that joins your bike route.

At some point, you’ll cross the big road (use the pedestrian crossing) and turn left on this little service road shown below. From here, the path is very easy to follow and is away from big roads.

Right after you turn left on that service road, you’ll reach these farm fields. This photo was in April when the yellow fields were taking their turn.

The path by the forest starts out paved.

The forest is quite dense and pretty. There are some walking paths here if you want to come back and explore on foot.

Still following Route 32.

So pretty!

Looking back toward Zurich.

Passing by Sihlhalde, a fancy restaurant. We ate there once on our anniversary and it was quite nice.

You pass briefly through a quiet neighborhood. Continue following the red bike signs.

You have now arrived at the first little lake, the Gattiker Weiher. From here, you won’t be following Route 32 anymore. Instead, go around either side of the lake and head into the forest.

We rode around the west side of the lake, though technically this section is pedestrians only. No one was on the path that day and a local told me it was ok. But if there are walkers, I just walk my bike on this section until I get back to the forest path.

We had our picnic on a little hill overlooking this lake. There is a picnic area with a fire pit on the east side of this lake.

We rode down this gravel path into the forest, then turned right on the biking/walking path.

Follow signs to the Waldweiher.

Here is the second lake.

There is a picnic area with a fire pit and water at the south end of the lake.

Now you can ride back the way you came. Or ride down Gattikerstrasse to Langnau am Albis and ride back along the river.

Riding back along the Sihl

After you ride down Gattikerstrasse, you’ll be on Route 94, along the Sihl river leading back to Zürich. Just follow the signs. 

The path is sometimes paved, sometimes gravel. It rained on us at the end of our ride.

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