Living in Zurich, it’s easy to escape the city at the many parks, forests, rivers, and lakes. In these areas, there are dozens of well maintained and signed trails for all abilities.
Here are a few of our favorite nature walks near Zurich, most not more than a 30 min drive or train ride from the city.
Lake strolls
1. Türlersee lake walk
This small lake near Zurich is nestled in a quiet valley, making you feel far away from everything even though you are so close to the city. There is an easy loop trail around the lake, possible with all-terrain strollers. A good choice for a relaxing walk in all seasons.
Hike: easy • 1hr30 • 4 km • 80m up & down
How to get there: Parking: Türlen 15, 8915 Hausen am Albis. Bus stop: Hausen am Albis, Türlersee
Learn more about Türlersee
2. Horgen weiher
Easy walk around small lake near Zürich with picnic area on the lakeshore. You can park very close to the lake and do a stroll around the water. Or you can park further away and start with a longer walk in the forest.
Hike: easy • 30 mins • 1.2 km around lake • 30m up & down
How to get there: Parking at Wührenbachstrasse 11, 8815 Horgenberg. Bus stop: Horgenberg, Vorderklausen.
Learn more about Horgen weiher
3. Katzensee lake
Just north of Zurich city, there are two small connected lakes, a nature reserve and popular swimming spot on hot days. There is a lovely walking path around the lake and through the farming countryside, which you can do anytime of year.
Hike: easy • 1hr15 • 4 km • 20m up & down – see trail map
How to get there: Parking Wehntalerstrasse 760, 8046 Zürich. Bus stop: Mühlacker, then 10 min walk
4. Lützelsee lake stroll
Easy obstacle-free walk around a pretty lake, good for little kids, strollers and anyone who enjoys a relaxing stroll.
Hike: easy • 1 hour • 3 km • 20m up, 10m down
How to get there: Parking near Lutikon 11, 8634 Hombrechtikon. Bus stop: Hombrechtikon, Plattenhof
Learn more about Lützelsee lake walk
5. Gattiker Weiher
Short walk to two pretty lakes in the Zimmerberg forest near Thalwil south of Zurich. There are two nice picnic areas with fire pits and lots of benches for lounging with a view.
Hike: easy • 1 hour • 3 km • 40m up & down
How to get there: Parking: Brandgasse 3, 8800 Thalwil. Bus stop: Gattikon, Obstgarten
Learn more about Gattiker Weiher
Forests & Ravines
6. Horgen Aabach Ravine Walk
Easy, short walk for families along the lovely Aabach stream in Horgen. It has beautiful waterfalls, a lush forest, a cozy picnic area and playground. If you live in the Zurich area, this is an easy, quick getaway to nature, perhaps for an evening walk or Sunday afternoon stroll.
Hike: easy • 1 hour • 3.8 km • 80m up & down
How to get there: Parking at Bergwerkstrasse 3, 8810 Horgen. Bus stop: Horgen, Käpfnach.
Learn more about Horgen Aabach Ravine Walk
7. Pfadiweg
This unassuming path is a little treasure, so much nature so close to downtown Zürich. It’s an easy forest path following a stream for about 3.8 km, a great choice for an impromptu family stroll.
Hike: easy • 1hr • 3.8 km • 150m down
Trail start: Trichtenhauser Str. 8125 Zollikon, Tram stop: Spital Zollikerberg
Learn more the Pfadiweg
8. Küsnacht Ravine Walk
Walk through a forested ravine following a stream down to Lake Zürich.
Hike: easy • 2hr30 • 7 km • 280m down
Location: Trail start at Forch train station, trail end at Küsnacht train station
Learn more Küsnacht Ravine Walk
9. Jonental
An easy walk through a pretty forested valley near Zurich, suitable for small children and strollers. Particularly nice in fall when the leaves change.
Hike: easy • 1hr30 • 6 km • 20m up, 130m down
Location: Start at Hedingen, Bahnhof train station, end at Jonen village – Jonen, Taverne bus stop-
Learn more about Jonental
10. Tüfels Chilen • Walk to beautiful abandoned quarry
This is a short forest walk to an old abandoned quarry now taken over by nature. Underground springs feed a small stream that pours over the mouth of this formation and topples down the “steps”. It’s rather spooky appearance presumably led to its name “Tüfels Chilen” which means “Devil’s Church.”
Hike: easy • 1hr20 • 4 km • 110 up & down (a little longer from train station)
Location: Parking – Nussbergstrasse 8, 8483 Zell, Train station: Kollbrunn
Learn more about Tüfels Chilen walk
River Walks
11. Brunau Allmend
This pretty nature reserve is on the southwest side of Zurich city, near the Sihlcity mall. There are multiple paths for walking and cycling through fields and along the river banks, so you can walk as little or as far as you like. Note that this is a popular area for dog walking.
I’ve mapped out a suggested an easy loop walk, about one hour, visiting the nicest areas. See trail map.
Hike: easy • 1hr15 • 3.7 km • flat
Location: Parking near – Gfellstrasse 20, 8002 Zürich / Train station: Zurich Brunau
12. Sihl River Path
Starting at the Brunau Allmend park above, you can continue walking along the Sihl river for many kilometers south of Zurich city. The path for pedestrians and cyclists is mostly smooth dirt and obstacle-free, suitable for strollers.
Since the path parallels the train line, you can you can walk from 2.5 to 12 km and easily return by train to your starting point. There are a couple picnic areas along the way with fire pits.
Hike: easy • adjustable from 2.5 to 12 km
Location: Parking near – Gfellstrasse 20, 8002 Zürich / Train station: Zurich Brunau
Learn more about Sihl River Path
13. Reuss River walk near Bremgarten
Just west of Zurich city, the large Reuss river flows north to meet the Rhine. On the sides of the river, there are walking and cycling paths for many kilometers through fields and forests. One of the nicest sections is in the nature reserve near Bremgarten, which is popular for bird watching.
I’ve mapped our an easy 2 hour loop through the nature reserve. But you can easily short this by just walking a shorter distance and back and forth along the river.
Hike: easy • 2 hours • 6.3 km loop – see trail map
Location: Parking on both sides of the river near Hauptstrasse 2, 8919 Rottenschwil. Bus stop – Rottenschwil, Hecht
Views
14. Felsenegg – Buchenegg Loop
This trail is a short loop on the Uetliberg mountain range south of Zurich. To reach this trail, you can either ride a cable car up from Adliswil or drive to the Buchenegg pass. Either way, you can follow the trail along the ridge and loop back through farm buildings and meadows.
We suggest lunch at the Felsensegg restaurant, which has an outdoor terrace with views of Zurich lake. They also have a playground and plenty of room for kids to run around and play.
Hike: easy • 1hr30 • 3.5 km • 60m up, 40m down
Location: Felsenegg cable car Zelgstr. 80, Adliswil, short walk from Adliswil train station. Or parking at Buchenegg pass.
Learn more about the Felsenegg – Buchenegg loop trail
15. Uetliberg Panorama Trail
From Zurich city, it’s a short train ride up to the Uetliberg mountain. From the train stop, it’s a short walk up to the viewpoint over Zurich lake. Then you can hike along the panorama trail about two hours. At the end, you ride Felsenegg cable car down the mountain, then a train back to the city.
There are picnic areas and a couple restaurants along the way. Nice for all seasons, even in winter when it snows.
Hike: easy • 2hr • 5.5 km • 80m up, 120m down
Location: Felsenegg cable car Zelgstr. 80, Adliswil, short walk from Adliswil train station. Or parking at Buchenegg pass.
Learn more about the Uetliberg Panorama Trail
