Rorbas lies at the lower end of the Töss Valley, just before the Töss flows into the Rhine near Tössegg. Between Dättenberg and Irchel, the surroundings are shaped by the river and the hills. When planning a stay, it helps to start with a simple question: would you mainly like to explore hiking trails, discover historic structures or enjoy leisure activities? This lets you choose the focus of your trip without having to arrange every activity in a fixed order.
Hiking trails along the Töss
An official hiking route follows the Töss from Rorbas to Tössegg, then returns to Rorbas via Wagenbreche, Römerweg and Petersboden. It combines a stretch along the river with a circular route back to the starting point. The hiking trail network also includes a route over the Roman Bridge to Freienstein and along the Töss to Dättlikon, Pfungen or Winterthur. The two route descriptions have different focuses: the first returns to Rorbas, while the second lists other destinations along the Töss. Check local conditions before setting out.
River landscapes and nature
From Embrach-Rorbas, you can hike to Tössegg in an hour and a half and admire an unspoilt stretch of the Töss along the way. Nearby, at Tössegg, visitors can learn more about beavers on a beaver discovery trail. The Töss is also an exceptionally species-rich river and an important waterway for fish that spawn in gravel. The river is therefore not only part of the hiking trails, but also an ecologically significant habitat. Those interested in this perspective will find a dedicated nature theme alongside the river landscape at Tössegg.
Bridges and local history
The “Roman Bridge” spans the Töss and connects the villages of Freienstein and Rorbas. Built between 1806 and 1808, it was the first large masonry bridge in the Canton of Zurich and is considered an outstanding example of architectural craftsmanship. Two Wildbach bridges also reveal different construction methods and features of preservation: the Lower Wildbach Bridge is one of the region’s last tuff-stone bridges with much of its original fabric intact, and forms part of the historic village centre. The Upper Wildbach Bridge is one of the region’s last surviving 19th-century masonry bridges on an engineered road. It is classified as nationally significant in the Swiss Inventory of Historic Roads (IVS); its designation reflects a historic route and a substantial amount of surviving original fabric.
Above the historic village centre stands the “Adler” inn, built around 1730 and an important witness to social, economic and architectural history. Historically, it held a tavern licence granted by the authorities and was permitted to accommodate guests and serve hot meals. The church in Rorbas was built in 1586, replacing an 11th-century chapel. The large spinning mills built in 1835 also contributed to the town’s historical transformation: they were associated with population growth and structural changes.
Leisure, workshops and regional cuisine
The TÖSS SIDE outdoor swimming pool has a swimming pool, a non-swimmer pool and a paddling pool for young children. Other facilities include a three-lane, 60-metre water slide, a beach volleyball court, a ping-pong table and a barbecue area with a pergola. The pool is open seasonally. Rorbas Skatepark is a free public leisure facility for skateboards, scooters, inline skates and BMX bikes.
The open workshop at Mühle Wildbach offers another way to spend time locally: you can make your own objects, put ideas into practice and learn new things. Mühle Wildbach also serves regional cuisine in a restaurant with a terrace by the stream. Together, these options offer different ways to shape a stay—from a walk along the Töss to architectural history and seasonal and creative leisure activities.
Discover more destinations: Rafz, Embrach, Wallisellen, Bassersdorf, Kloten, Zweidlen, Opfikon, Höri.
Go to the main travel overview: Bülach.
