Horgen Aabach Ravine Walk

We really enjoyed this lovely walk through the forest and along the Aabach stream in Horgen. It’s a easy, short walk for families, with beautiful waterfalls, a lovely 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. 

Overview

This trail follows the Aabach stream through a forest in Horgen. This is a one way trail, so it’s best to access it using public transportation as noted below.

We started the trail at the top and hiked down toward the lake. The path is an easy dirt trail, but there are stairs and a few narrow sections, so it’s not appropriate for strollers.

Note: there is a shooting range near the start of the trail. When they are actively shooting, a small part of the trail will be clearly blocked and there is a detour higher up in the forest. More info about that below.

Shorter version: f you need an easier version, you can take a bus to Horgen, Hüttenstrasse near the start of the trail and hike one way down the trail. This reduces the walking time to about 45 mins. See trail map.

Getting There

By car: There is a small parking near the start of the trail at Bergwerkstrasse 3, 8810 Horgen.

By public transport: Take a train/bus to Horgen, Bahnhof, then a short bus ride to Horgen, Käpfnach. Or you can take a bus to the far end of the trail at bus to Horgen, Hüttenstrasse and walk just one way downhill.

Photo story

If you take the bus or park at Horgen, Hüttenstrasse, the trail starts across the main road on Arnerweg as shown below. Follow the signs to Käpfnach.

Entering the forest.

The path leads down the ravine to the river.

Keep following signs to Käpfnach.

Some fun details if you pay attention.

Narrower path along the river.

Some stairs.

Lots of stairs down.

Beautiful waterfall at this picnic spot at the bottom of the stairs.

Stairs can be slippery when wet.

Here is the picnic area near the waterfall with a table and fire pit.

Flat along the river again.

One sign warning against falling rock. Other signs explaining the historical mining operations in the area.

Another beautiful waterfall.

A few art pieces along the trail.

A little detour off the main trail for a photo opp.

Near the end of the trail, there is a big shooting range. If they are shooting that day, this part of the trail will be closed with the caution tape and a warning sign. There is a detour higher in the forest.

The detour path is called “Umgehung bei Schiessbetrieb” as shown on the sign below. In this case, the trail heads up the ravine and continues to the forest to reconnect with the trail later.

The detour trail emerging higher above the shooting range below.

The trail ends at the parking for the shooting range. There is also a big free public parking lot to the right behind the shooting range building.

To your left, there is a nice playground.

Congratulations! You finished the hike. Now continue following the road out to the main road (a couple minutes). The bus stop is across the street to your left. You can catch a bus to Horgen, Bahnhof, then a bus or train to your starting point. Hope you enjoyed it!Save

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