The Living Limmat Trail offers a specific walking option in Unterengstringen; Fahr Abbey, the golf course on the Limmat and the remains of Glanzenberg offer other points of interest. This lets you consider walking, guided tours and local history as different highlights, rather than assuming a fixed itinerary.

Local History and Unusual Municipal Boundaries

The Second Battle of Zurich was decided on Unterengstringen soil in 1799, between Russian and French armies. Another distinctive feature is the location of Fahr Abbey: since 2008, it has been an exclave of the Canton of Aargau, belongs to the municipality of Würenlos and is entirely surrounded by the Zurich municipality of Unterengstringen. The abbey is therefore within the municipal area of Unterengstringen, but is administratively assigned to Würenlos. This geographical and administrative arrangement sets the site apart from an ordinary destination within the municipality.

The Living Limmat Trail

The circular route of the Living Limmat Trail runs between Unterengstringen and Schlieren and includes six stops. It is about 3.5 kilometres long; the estimated walking time is around one hour. These two figures answer different planning questions: the distance describes the length of the route, while the walking time gives an approximate estimate of the time needed to walk it. Breaks and time spent at the stops are additional, if you choose to take them.

The trail’s gravel paths are also suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. The trail is freely accessible year-round. You can reach it from the Eckstein or Langwisen stops in Unterengstringen. This makes it possible to assess the walking route and access in advance, without confusing the walking time alone with a full visit to the stops.

Fahr Abbey and Golf on the Limmat Shore

Fahr Abbey offers guided tours of its historic complex and gardens. The abbey is a ten-minute walk from the Unterengstringen bus station, Eckstein. This provides another specific visitor attraction besides the circular route, which you can plan around a named arrival point.

The Unterengstringen Golf Club operates a 9-hole golf course directly on the Limmat. The course is located on historic Glanzenberg, near Fahr Abbey. Players paying a green fee may play on weekdays when no competitions are scheduled; booking by phone is required. As these conditions may change, it is advisable to check with the club before planning your visit for the day you wish to play.

Glanzenberg and the Local History Museum

At Glanzenberg, you can see the preserved foundations of the eastern wall with an adjoining building, as well as another house to the southwest of the former town. These building remains give local history a concrete setting: the view includes parts of the eastern wall and a house to the southwest.

The Unterengstringen Local History Museum is housed in a former country house dating from the 18th century, which belonged to a Zurich bourgeois family. Its permanent exhibition is complemented by documents on local history, a collection of images by Otto Baumberger and regular temporary exhibitions. The local history collection includes objects from agriculture, viticulture, crafts and trades, as well as coins, measures and weights, and household and kitchen items. The museum’s collection therefore ranges from working life to objects of everyday life. While Glanzenberg is associated with visible architectural remains, the museum also brings local history to life through documents and collection objects.

Discover more destinations: Aesch, Birmensdorf, Schlieren, Uitikon, Geroldswil, Dietikon.

Return to the main travel overview: Dietikon.