Langnau am Albis lies on the Sihl, about ten kilometres from Zurich. Forests, trails, the wildlife park and local history offer different ways to shape your stay. The municipality includes large areas of woodland and meadows. The Albis ridge forms a natural boundary to the west, and the Sihl to the east; the terrain is mostly steep. The Albis Pass is also within the municipality.
Forest, Wildlife Park and Nature Experiences
The Zurich Wilderness Park Sihlwald is a protected forest reserve offering opportunities to experience nature and relax. No trees have been felled in the Sihlwald since 2000. You can explore this habitat along the forest discovery trail, which has twelve stops. These include a walkway through the moorland forest and a barefoot path.
The Langenberg Wildlife Park is home to wolves, brown bears, moose and wild boar, among other animals. You can observe the animals in their natural surroundings along a variety of forest trails. Most of the animal enclosures are open free of charge 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Check the conditions before your visit. You can reach the wildlife park by bus via the «Langnau a.A., Schwerzi-Wildpark» or «Langnau a. A., Altersheim» stops, or by S-Bahn via «Wildpark-Höfli» station.
Trails for Day Trips and Longer Tours
A circular hike from Langnau am Albis via the LangrainhĂĽtte and back is 9.70 kilometres long and takes about three hours. It offers distant views and glimpses into the wilderness of the forest; trail conditions may vary by season. For planning your day, this loop provides a specific guide to the distance and approximate time required, without making any statement about the level of difficulty.
The Sihl Erlebnisweg offers a different kind of route: this long-distance hiking trail is around 107 kilometres long, divided into seven stages, and runs through the Sihlwald Nature Discovery Park. This means that a multi-day long-distance route with stages complements the single circular hike, for which a duration is given. The Sihl riverbank trail passes the Stirnemann footbridge and provides access to the eastern entrance of the 80-hectare Langenberg Wildlife Park.
Local History and Planning Your Visit
Langnau am Albis was first mentioned in a written record as a village in 1397. At the beginning of the 18th century, the village separated from Thalwil ecclesiastically; a new church and a rectory were built in connection with this. The foundation stone for Langnau Church was laid in 1709. It was completed in 1711, and the first service was held on Ascension Day. The church has retained its exterior form to this day and is 30 metres high.
The Sihlwald exhibition explains how the formerly intensively used forest developed into a natural, untamed woodland. It is located in the visitor centre, about a five-minute walk from Sihlwald station. If you are planning a visit, check access to the exhibition in advance.
For another activity in the village, Langnau indoor swimming pool has a 25-metre indoor pool. Check the latest operating information if you are including it in your plans. A religious occasion may also influence your choice of visit date: the Catholic parish in Langnau-Gattikon celebrates its patronal feast every year on the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. Service times depend on the date, so check the specific times for your planned visit.
Discover more destinations: Thalwil, Rüschlikon, Schönenberg, Horgen, Richterswil, Hirzel, Wädenswil, Adliswil
Back to the higher-level travel overview: Horgen.
