If you’re a fan of outdoor activities, hiking in Zurich is very easy! It takes about 30 minutes from the city’s center to reach the Uetliberg mountain and rapidly immerse in nature. People come up here for a hike or a run, for a tour on a mountain bike, or to chill out at one of the restaurants, sitting on the terrace and taking in the view of the lake and, on a good day, of the mountains range in the far backdrop.
Is Zurich on your Switzerland bucket list? I hope so because the city is beautiful! You’ll need at least one day in Zurich to discover the main attractions, and if you stay longer, I suggest you spend some time at the Uetliberg mountain. This is the perfect place for outdoors lovers keen to go hiking in Zurich, spend some time surrounded by nature, and enjoy the views of the lake. At an altitude of 869m (2,850ft), the Uetliberg is an excellent spot for everyone: hikers and mountain bikers, families with children, and elderlies who might have issues with high altitude.
Uetliberg Mountain: Best Place to Go Hiking Near Zurich
I took the 10-minute walk uphill from the Uetliberg station to the Uto Kulm Restaurant and Hotel. Big and well-suited for large gatherings, weddings, and other events, it’s not exactly my kind of place. I’m more fond of small and cozy hotels or guest joules with a unique character. Notwithstanding, the terrace in front of Uto Kulm offers a pretty viewpoint, and, most of all, the Hotel is right in front of the lookout tower.
I climbed to the top, from which the 360-degree view was beautiful: on one side, the long and narrow lake Zurich, its blue water dotted with the white triangles of the sailing boats; on the left, the city, built on the tip of the lake and along the river Limmat; and on the back, gentle hills, where the darker green of the forests alternates with the lighter patches of meadows and the farmed fields.
Back to the ground, I followed the trail to Felsenegg, an easy and short hike going through shaded forests and vast meadows and opening up to pretty views of the lake and the hills. The walk takes about 1h 45 min, has little elevation difference and was perfectly suited for me, being totally out of shape. At Felsenegg, I stopped for a drink at Hotel Felsenegg’s panorama terrace, enjoying the landscape before heading down to Adliswill with the cable car and then back to Zurich.
Getting a Feel of Zurich Local Life at Uetliberg Mountain
The view and landscape are agreeable, and the hike is enjoyable, but don’t expect scenery like you’d see in top mountain or lake resorts in Switzerland. It’s not the Jungfraujoch, with its magnificent mountain range. But it’s a lovely spot to spend a few relaxing hours and the most convenient place to go hiking in Zurich.
The upside is that along Uetliberg’s trails, you won’t meet many tourists. It’s a place for locals, and you’ll get a taste of what life in Zurich feels like, the advantages of a city offering lots of attractions, and the local mountain, allowing an easy escape into nature.
You’ll see that hiking in Zurich is very popular among locals, and the Uetliberg is a year-round destination. While I visited in summer, I’m pretty sure it’s even more charming in winter, under a white snow blanket.
Hiking in Zurich: How to Get to the Uetliberg
Trains leave Zurich HB train station every 30 minutes, and the ride to Uetliberg takes less than half an hour. You can also reach Utliberg Mountain from other city areas, although the trip might take a little longer, depending on your starting point.
Another option is to ride the Adliswil–Felsenegg cable car. I took this to return to Zurich after my hike. The S4 suburban train takes 22 minutes to reach Adliswil from Zurich, HB. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk slightly uphill to the cable car station to Felsenegg.
If you plan to visit Switzerland by public transportation, which I strongly recommend, you may want to look at the Swiss Travel Pass.
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