This short loop trail passes through cherry orchards and green meadows above the small village of Frick in northern Switzerland. In mid April, the trees are full of cherry blossoms, making it ideal for a spring walk.
The path is an easy loop on a smooth wide path, good for families and suitable for strollers. Typically the blossoms are ready about mid-April and last about 10 days. You can follow the #chriesiwäg hashtag and Aargau Tourism on Instagram to see pics from the trail and see if it’s blooming yet.
Note: This trail has become very popular and crowded on the weekends. You may consider another cherry blossom trail: Flösserweg, Eisenweg, and Zug Cherry Blossom trail.
Contents
| Location: | Northern Switzerland, Canton Aargau |
| Address: | Landstrasse 38, 5073 Gipf-Oberfrick |
| Car: | Parking GPS: 47°29’54.5″N 8°00’10.7″E 45 min from Zurich |
| Train: | Train station: Frick, then 10 min walk to the trail 50 mins from Zurich HB |
| Trail: | 4 km or 8.6 km loop |
| Condition: | smooth paved and dirt path, 130 m elevation gain & descent |
| Skill: | easy |
| Open: | cherry blossoms in mid April, trail open year round |
| Cost: | free |
| Services: | grocery and cafes near parking, fire pit with wood on trail |
| More info: | jurapark-aargau.ch |
Videos of the trail
First a little video tour of the trail.
Here’s a video from the longer version of the trail.
Hiking map
Here is the official trail map, the Chriesiwäg shown with the red dots 1-8 & 11 below. In 2019, there was a stamp pass that you pick up in a box at station 1. You can stamp it at 5 stations along the way and send it in to enter a contest.
The path is slightly longer depending on where you park or take the bus. We hiked counterclockwise, but tt doesn’t matter which way you do the loop.
Shorter loop
Most people do the the shorter loop, which measures 4 km, though the official map says 5.5 km.
Longer trail version
In 2019, we did the longer loop, that splits off at the picnic area at #7. On the trail signs, it’s called Chriesiwäg Zusatzroute (meaning extra route). It visits lots more fruit trees and some castle ruins. Now that the kids are older and can hike farther, we really enjoyed doing this longer loop away.
Path Conditions
The path is wide and smooth, suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. Some of it is paved, other parts dirt and gravel. The path gradually ascends and descends about 130 m, which is not difficult but small children will probably get a little tired. The parts near the village on are paved roads with light traffic, some without sidewalks. So watch little children carefully on these parts.
How to get there
This trail is in Gipf-Oberfrick, a village in northern Switzerland. It’s right off the freeway between Basel and Zurich. It’s easy to access by car or public transport.
By public transport:
Take the train to the Frick station. Then a 10 min walk to join the trail (see on map). Or you could take a bus from the Frick train station to Gipf-Oberfrick, Brücke, which is close to the official start of the trail.
By car:
Drive to Frick, taking exit 15 off the A3 freeway. We suggest parking at the Gemeindehaus at Landstrasse 43, Gipf-Oberfrick. You can also park at the Volg grocery at Landstrasse 38, 5073 Gipf-Oberfrick.
If those are full, you can see some other nearby parking areas on the map below.
Planning your day
Costs
The trail is free. Your only costs are for parking or your public transportation to get here.
What to wear and bring
This is an easy trail, mostly on a wide dirt service road/path. Comfortable walking shoes should be fine.
There are no services or water along the path. It’s a short hike, but best to bring water and snacks for everyone.
Where to eat
There are restaurants in the village but nothing along the trail. After about At #7, there is an official picnic area with tables, fire pit and wood. You could also have a cold picnic in the grass under the trees along the way, which is what I would recommend.
Getting picnic supplies
At the parking areas in town, there is a Volg grocery, bakeries and cafes where you could pick up picnic supplies. Near the start of the path in the village, there were a few water fountains where could fill up your bottles but no water on the trail itself.
Photo story of the trail
Such a beautiful trail, let’s take a look. Starting through the neighborhood from the Volg parking.
Follow these signs.
Leaving the neighborhood.
Heading up the hill.
One of the info station, text in German only. Interesting to learn about trees and their environment.
Going back down to town.
No sidewalks here, but a few cars.
See more spring hikes…
5 Responses
In case anybody is looking at this post in 2022 – unfortunately most of the flowering trees have already gone by as of April 24, 2022. But still a lovely walk in the countryside any time of year! We met a few others on the trail riding horses, and walking their dogs. Lovely place for a picnic. If you are coming by car from Zurich, on the return you can easily visit a few of the castles on the way home for some more fun. Thanks Tanya, as always!
Did this walk today (shorter loop) with our 2 and 8 year old and a pushchair. Was just as great as you had described Tanya, thanks!
Some features we noticed that helped us:
1. toilets (only a ToiToi portaloo) at picnic stop 7, near the grill area
2. water butt for refilling water near picnic area 2 or 3
3. excellent gelato / cafe place called Chelati at the beginning/end of the trail
Was quite busy, but also Easter Sunday, but lots of farmers had stands selling jams and kirsch and fresh apple juice etc. along the route.
Quite lovely and worth the walk / trek out.
NB: the tour guide at the start of the walk mentioned that picking the cherries has not been allowed for past few years in case anyone is planning to go back to pick in June.
Thanks for all the extra info from your visit. Very helpful!
Did this family-friendly walk today and both kids did great (4 ans 5 year old). Many families brought along the balance bikes for the trail, which is a good idea for young legs. It’s hard to get the timing just right given the unpredictable weather, but the trail would be nice just about anytime spring or summer. Even on its most crowded weekends you would never have to share a tree to picnic under. And if you park near the Gemeindehaus there is a public WC and small playground to enjoy after hiking.
Glad you had a nice time and thanks for the extra tips!