Jura Crest Trail – Lägeren Ridge near Baden

The terrain of this section of the Jura Crest Trail is quite special, with the path on the apex of the triangle ridge, on slanted rock slabs. This makes for some tricky footing, but also a very interesting and engaging trail to walk. Much of the trail is in a lovely forest, but very often you have nice views across the Swiss countryside on both sides of the ridge.

It’s a tough hike at times, but I saw plenty of casual hikers wearing sneakers with no tread and jeans and carrying no supplies. So it’s not that tough. Signs warn off those with vertigo, with good reason as the ridge slopes steeply down on both sides of the trail. I hiked it solo and I didn’t think it was too scary. I would definitely take my older kids next time, but I wouldn’t take little kids or kids that take risks or don’t have experience hiking. Enough of the warnings, let’s see this hike!

Trail Overview

This trail is located north of Zürich, stretching 12.6 km from Baden to Dielsdorf.

It’s a one way trail, so it’s best accessed by public transportation from Zürich HB. You can hike in either direction.

See trail on Komoot • SchweizMobil • AllTrails • OutdoorActive

I started in Baden, which in retrospect I liked because I was going uphill on most of the very tricky footing, which I find easier than downhill even if it gets my heart rate going. The downhill part toward Regensberg was mostly on a dirt road, which made walking downhill quite easy.

But walking toward Baden would be good too, because you end in a lively town with lots of cafes, shops and ice cream. Regensberg and Dielsdorf are pretty quiet.

Getting There

This is a one way trail, so you’ll need to take public transportation back to your starting point. You can either start at the Baden Bahnhof or Dielsdorf Bahnhof and return from the other. I started in Baden. There are frequent connections between Baden and Zürich. At Dielsdorf, the train only runs every 30 mins.

By car: I do not recommend accessing this trail by car. If you park on one side of the trail, you need to get back to your car with public transportation. But there isn’t a good connection between the start and end. You have to ride to Zürich first, then continue to your start point. So it makes sense to simply start and end your journey at Zürich HB and use public transport to access the trailhead.

Trail Impressions

I took the train and walked through town, gathering picnic supplies before joining the trail. It’s a beautiful town and you should allow some time to enjoy it before starting your hike.

After crossing the river, you go through tunnel under the main road. Then head up the stairs straight up the hill. I was a little confused at first because the trail sign doesn’t really point at the stairs. But there is a yellow diamond near the stairs indicating the trail.

As you climb the stairs, you get an increasingly nice view of Baden. Make sure to turn around and enjoy it a bit.

The stairs drop you at the Schartenfels castle and restaurant. If you were hiking the opposite direction, this would be a nice place to eat. They have a terrace overlooking Baden.

To continue the trail, take the stone stairs opposite the restaurant entrance shown below. There is another trail to the left, but it doesn’t go up to the ridge.

The trail gets really rocky, mostly walking on these slanted rocks.

Sometimes the slopes on either side are grassy and gradual.

Sometimes the slope is steeper, but never a drop-off.

Follow the signs that say “Vorsicht, Felsgrat!” (aka Watch out, cliff ridge!) toward Lägern Burghorn.

The trail is tricky, but so interesting to walk on.

Much of the trail is in the forest, but you get lots of views like this too.

Sometimes you get a break from the ridge rocks and get a soft dirt path like this. There was lots of Bärlauch when I was there in May.

Make sure to keep following the “Gratweg” either toward Dielsdorf or Baden. The official green 5 trail “Jura Höhenweg” skips the difficult ridge part of the trail on an easier parallel trail lower on the mountain. It’s probably fine but the ridge is the cool part and you don’t want to miss it.

This is Burghorn, the highest point of the trail. There are a couple benches and enough rock for a few groups to have a picnic. Make sure to sign the guest book in the metal box next to the flag.

At the Burghorn, you connect with the planet trail, “starting” with Pluto. From here you work backwards through the planets towards Dielsdorf.

Then you’ll pass some ruins. I don’t think you can go in, but I didn’t try either.

Shortly after the Burghorn, you come to a bunch of buildings (including a restaurant that is currently closed for renovations). There is an observation platform with some benches where lots of people were having their picnic.

The dirt road starts here and goes about 2.5 km through the forest to Regensberg. To be honest, this part was a little boring after the exciting ridge.

But the forest is super pretty.

Lots of wildflowers in May.

Approaching Regensberg.

Now follow the green #5 signs all the way to Dielsdorf.

You walk through Regensberg, very cute and quiet.

The trail gets a little steep through the forest again.

Keep following the trail signs, which lead all the way to Dielsdorf and the train station, where you can catch a train every 30 mins back to Zürich.

Well, are you going to do this trail? I’d love to hear back from you and see what you think.

See more Ridgeline hikes.