Greifensee lies on the lake of the same name, about nine kilometres east of Zurich, between Schwerzenbach and Uster. You can tailor your stay to your interests: the nature reserve and paths by the lake offer opportunities to enjoy nature and get active, while the castle and church provide historical insights. Travelling by train and taking scheduled boat trips on the lake can also be part of your plans.

Paths through the nature reserve

Greifensee Nature Reserve has numerous official paths and boardwalks. Meadows in the marshland line the approximately 18-kilometre circular trail, which passes through the protected area, is classified as easy and has no major elevation changes. Along the way, there are numerous places to sit and swim, fire pits and opportunities for wildlife observation. Observation platforms add to the visitor facilities in the nature reserve.

If you plan to walk the circular route, you can use its approximate length and difficulty rating as a guide. Cyclists and inline skaters can use an asphalt path, just under 20 kilometres long, that goes around Greifensee. Completing the full circuit by bicycle takes approximately one to two hours. This gives you different figures to use when planning: an approximately 18-kilometre circular trail through the protected area, and an asphalt path just under 20 kilometres long for bicycles and inline skates.

Castle and church

Greifensee Castle stands on a sandstone outcrop at the edge of the old town centre, near the lakeshore. Its present form dates back to around 1520. The medieval predecessor was built in the 13th century under the Counts of Rapperswil. After a siege, it was destroyed in 1444 along with the fortified town; significant megalithic walls are still visible. Today, the castle is a venue for cultural events, continuing education and information. Regular exhibitions are held in the castle cellar, which has been converted into an exhibition space. If you would like to plan your visit around an exhibition, check the current exhibition dates.

The Reformed Church of Greifensee dates from the early 14th century. Its distinctive design uses an existing ring wall, curved in a quarter-circle, as its rear wall. Two further walls, set at right angles to each other, form the church interior. The church is generally open to the public from 09:00 to 17:00; check that it is accessible before your visit.

Getting there and boat trips on the lake

On the Zurich–Uster route, S-Bahn lines S9 and S14 stop at Greifensee-Nänikon. From there, you can walk or take bus 727 to the Greifensee, Städtli stop. When planning your journey by public transport, you can therefore take into account both the train stop and the onward trip to the stop in the old town.

The Greifensee Shipping Cooperative operates scheduled boat trips between Maur and Niederuster. Its offerings also include special trips focused on food or music. Dates and availability vary; check the timetable and the date of your chosen trip before travelling. This allows you to include a boat trip in your stay plans, without confusing it with the paths along the shore or visits to historical sites.

Discover more destinations: Dübendorf, Maur, Volketswil, Mönchaltorf, Fällanden, Schwerzenbach, Uster, Egg

Back to the main travel overview: Uster.