Comic Trail Uetliberg • Puzzle hike for kids in Zürich

Comic Trail Uetliberg is a new puzzle trail for kids in Zürich, best for ages 8+. It’s a 4 km loop on the top of Uetliberg, with 11 puzzles to solve along the way as detailed in the Comic Trail puzzle booklet you purchase from their website (printed or PDF).

It’s a proper hike, with 277m elevation gain on the second half. So come prepared to hike, not just solve puzzles. My son and I both enjoyed the trail, particularly that we were exploring a different part of Uetliberg we hadn’t seen before. I hope you like it!

See other theme trails and more nature walks near Zürich

Location

This puzzle trail is is located on Uetliberg, a small mountain overlooking Zürich city. It is easily reached by train from the city center.

Getting There

You cannot drive to the top of Uetliberg. So you need to ride the S10 train, which runs between the Zürich main train station and the Uetliberg station (27 mins for this full journey). This train runs every 20 minutes all day long.

In 2021, a round trip ticket from Zürich city to Uetliberg costs CHF 17.60/adult. Half-fare discount applies. Free with GA or Junior card.

By public transport: If you are already in Zürich city, you can catch the S10 train from the stop closest to you: Zürich HB, Zürich Selnau, Zürich Binz, Zürich Friesenberg, Zürich Schweighof, Zürich Triemli.

By car: If you driving into Zürich for this trail, you’ll need to park near one of the S10 stops. The best option is probably the Uetliberg Feldermoos parking, which is a big parking area near the Uitikon train station, only 2 stops from the top of Uetliberg. It’s a 450m walk from the parking to the train station (about 8 mins). 

Otherwise, you could park near the Zürich train station at the Parkhaus Hauptbahnhof, very expensive at CHF 5/hr. Parking near the other train stations along the S10 is only short term and wouldn’t be long enough for your outing.

Tickets for the Comic Trail

You need to purchase the Comic Trail booklet on their website. It costs CHF 25/family or CHF 9 for a single ticket. You can print the booklet yourself at home, order a printed booklet to be mailed to your home, or use a PDF on your phone. We liked having a printed booklet so we could write answers on the paper. In that case, make sure to bring a pen so you can fill out the clues as you go.

You can do the trail anytime within 6 months of your purchase. You do not need to book a specific day and time slot like some other puzzle trails.

Your Comic Trail purchase does not include your train ticket to Uetliberg, which you much purchase separately online or at the train station. In 2021, a round trip ticket from Zürich city to Uetliberg costs CHF 17.60/adult. Half-fare discount applies. Free for GA, kids with Junior card or kids under 6.

What to bring

You need at least one phone with mobile data and enough battery life to last the full trail (about 2-3hrs). Some of the clues require sending texts with your clue answers and getting info back or answering questions on the Comic Trail website. 

There are multiple picnic areas (with fire pits) and a playground along the trail. So if you want to make this into a longer outing, bring a picnic with you. At the end of the trail, there is a restaurant and kiosk at the Uetliberg train station. 

What to wear

Although you are close to the city, the weather on Uetliberg can be a bit colder since it is at a higher elevation. So bring layers in case the weather/temperature changes quickly. Since this is a hike on dirt trails with stairs, you should wear sturdy shoes  meant for walking, not sandals or flip flops. 

On the Comic Trail

I’m not going to show puzzles themselves or the whole trail because part of the fun is discovering it for yourself. So I’ll just show a few highlights to peak your interest.

Note: if you think you are going the wrong way, you can check the map on their website (link in the booklet). We only got off track once and had to check the map. But they changed the clues in the booklet to make that section more clear. So I think you won’t get lost.

The trail starts at the Uetliberg train station shown here.

Some of the clues involve reading trail signs.

Lots of forest. We were there in early April so the trees were bare. But it will be lush and green when you go.

I was excited to visit this viewpoint which I didn’t know existed before.

You cross the train tracks a couple times, so be careful.

Some stairs.

Some clues have you interact with the landscape.

This “tree alley” aka Baumallee was a real surprise. It’s a long straightaway with super tall trees on each side. 

One of the playgrounds along the way. This one has a water fountain and picnic area with fire pits. It was very popular the day we were there.

More pretty paths through the forest.

Lots of stairs at the end, about 277m of elevation gain total on the second half of the trail. A little tough for the kids.

Ending with a beautiful view at Uto Kulm. Here you’ll find a restaurant, a tower to climb, and toilets (I think they cost CHF 2). See my Uetliberg post for more details.

See other theme trails and more nature walks near Zürich