The pile-dwelling trail is a walking route along Lake Pfäffikon that passes the pile dwellings. Its ten stops explore various aspects of life at the time. In the Canton of Zurich, Lake Pfäffikon is a protected nature reserve and recreational area; it is also a moorland of national importance. The pile-dwelling trail is wheelchair-accessible and suitable for strollers.
Nature by lakes, marshes and floodplains
Neeracherried is a protected landscape area and habitat for plants and animals, as well as a recreational area. The Thur floodplains are considered the largest floodplain area in the Swiss Plateau. The Thurauen Nature Centre offers an exhibition and an adventure trail; you can explore the Thur floodplains along the trail.
At the southern end of Lake Greifen, marsh areas and shallow ponds are home to an exceptional diversity of around 400 plant species. The Silberweide Nature Station provides information about outings to Lake Greifen, rents out binoculars and has a barbecue and picnic area. The station’s exhibition and bistro are accessible to strollers and wheelchairs.
Hiking trails and landscapes
The Zurich Oberland has more than 1,100 kilometres of hiking trails and can also be explored by e-bike. The options mentioned include the traditional Heart Route between Rapperswil and Wattwil. Via Natura is a hiking project in the Canton of Zurich that combines experiencing nature, hiking and learning.
Steep slopes, wild ravines, diverse forests and waterfalls shape the landscape at Tössstock. You can reach the area by train to Wald, Fischenthal or Steg, then continue on foot. Another specific hike leads from Albis Pass via Hochwacht to the Sihlwald Visitor Centre and takes about two hours. Since 2010, Sihlwald has been one of the twenty parks of national importance.
One of Europe’s largest yew tree populations is found on Uetliberg and Albis. Uetliberg is also a valuable near-natural landscape and an attractive recreational destination on the outskirts of Zurich.
Castles, Roman traces and industrial history
At Kyburg Castle, you can visit two exhibitions and explore the castle’s various rooms. At the Roman estate on Mühleberg above Buchs ZH, you can visit the cryptoporticus of the manor house, with large sections of its wall paintings preserved, as well as a small exhibition, by prior arrangement.
The Roman estate near Seeb in the municipality of Winkel is one of the few preserved Roman ruins in the Canton of Zurich. You can see the foundations of various workshops, farm buildings and residential buildings, as well as the basement of the fountain house. The Neuthal industrial complex offers another perspective on regional history: it houses a collection of 60 historic looms that is unique in Europe and is connected to the history of the textile industry in the Zurich Oberland.
Getting your bearings and finding accommodation
At Zurich main station, the Tourist Information office provides tourist information and assistance. For the city of Zurich, Zurich Tourism presents accommodation options ranging from luxury hotels by the lake and hotels in Zurich West to campsites, hostels and youth hostels. This clearly outlines the city’s range of accommodation types, while discoveries across the canton span everything from lakeside trails and nature reserves to archaeological and industrial attractions.
Discover more destinations: Andelfingen, Meilen, Uster, Horgen, Hinwil, Affoltern, Dietikon, Bülach, Dielsdorf, Winterthur, Zurich, Pfäffikon, Zurich.
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