Hinwil combines hiking trails and a drumlin landscape with local history, steam train rides and an outdoor swimming pool. For planning, it helps to consider the different options separately: a circular hike has a different time frame from a longer route from Hinwil to Gibswil, while the museum and church offer insights into the area’s history.
Hinwil is a municipality in the Hinwil district of the canton of Zurich, Switzerland. The municipality includes Girenbad, Hadlikon, Ringwil, Unterbach, Unterholz, Wernetshausen, Bossikon and Erlosen. The village was first mentioned in 745 under the name Hunichinwilari.
Hiking: circular route or longer trail
The 3-Wachten circular route starts at the information board slightly above the Hinwil post office. The circular hike is listed as taking three and a half hours. Along the way, the trail crosses the Hinwil–Bauma museum railway line operated by the Zürcher Oberland Steam Railway Association (DVZO). Check trail conditions and signage on site.
Another hiking option, with its own time and distance details, is the “Passes: Schufelberger Egg” hike: it runs from Hinwil to Gibswil, is 11.7 kilometres long and takes about 3 hours and 25 minutes. These details make the two options easy to compare without treating them as the same: the 3-Wachten route is a circular hike with a stated duration, while the route to Gibswil also specifies the distance. Check current conditions before setting out.
A well-marked hiking trail to the Bachtel starts at the Hinwil Langmatt stop. Trail conditions can vary by season. The Bachtel Trail is another option for mountain bikers; it is considered challenging. Follow current signage and local guidance on this route. Hinwil also has varied routes for joggers and considerate mountain bikers, with options to suit different abilities.
Drumlin landscape and views
The drumlin landscape associated with Hinwil includes a raised bog of national importance. Some rare plants grow there, and the habitat is also home to a diverse range of birds and other wildlife. How easy it is to spot animals varies by season.
The 75-metre-high Bachtel Tower stands on the Bachtel summit. Its observation platform is about 30 metres above the ground and offers 360-degree panoramic views. On a clear day, the view stretches from Lake Zurich to the mountains of Central Switzerland. Check the tower details and viewing information again before your trip.
Franz Hero’s sculpture park, which is open to the public, lies directly on a hiking route through Hinwil. As access status may change before your visit, it is advisable to check before setting out. This lets you include the park as a separate stop without linking it to a specific hiking time or an additional section of the route.
Local history and steam trains
Hinwil Local History Museum and its storage collection offer several ways to explore the area’s history. Tours of the local history museum and/or the storage collection are available at any time by prior arrangement; check availability before your trip. In the Flarz timber-framed house, largely original living quarters bring the period around 1800 to life. The barn presents the annual cycle of farm work, along with the tools and carts used. The Turpenschopf beside the barn shows how peat was cut and then dried as fuel until it was ready to be used in the living room.
The Reformed Church of Hinwil also brings together different periods in history: it was first mentioned in a document around 750 and was built on the masonry foundations of a Roman villa. These historical connections differ from the insights offered by the local history museum, where living quarters and work routines take centre stage.
Hinwil is the departure and terminus station of the Hinwil–Bauma steam railway line. The DVZO mainly operates historic steam train services on the line from May to October. Operating periods can vary from year to year, so check which dates services are scheduled before your trip. For hikers, the line is also part of the 3-Wachten circular route, which crosses it.
Outdoor swimming and seasonal events
Hinwil’s outdoor swimming pool has a covered paddling pool for the youngest children, a large non-swimmer pool with a long waterslide, a 50-metre swimming pool and a separate diving area. The facilities also include a beach volleyball court beside the large playing field and table tennis next to the restaurant. As facilities may change during operation, check the latest information before visiting.
The traditional Bachtelschwinget takes place in August or September on the Oberland’s local mountain; the exact date varies each year. If you would like to plan your stay around it, check the event date for your travel year. This leaves you with several ways to plan your visit: a hike with a specific time estimate, a seasonal steam train outing, a visit focused on cultural history, or a day of swimming and other activities.
Discover more destinations: Wernetshausen, Dürnten, Wald, Gossau, Grüningen, Fischenthal, Bäretswil, Wetzikon.
For the broader travel overview: Hinwil.
