Family with two children admiring a mountain view together, backpacks ready for a day hike near Zurich

The Best Hikes Around Zurich: 15 Trails Reachable Without a Car

If you're looking for the best hike near Zurich, you'll find more choice than almost any other city offers within an hour of the central train station. The city sits between a proper mountain range and a lake the size of a small sea, so a short train ride can drop you at a forest ridge, a moorland plateau or the foot of a cable car heading somewhere genuinely alpine. Locals don't save hiking for holidays here. It's a Tuesday evening plan, a Sunday family outing, a way to clear your head between meetings.

This guide covers fifteen routes we return to again and again, from flat lakeside loops that suit a buggy to a proper full-day climb with views over three lakes. Whichever pace you prefer, there's a trailhead waiting at the end of an S-Bahn line.

Zurich hikes at a glance:

Easiest options: Türlersee, Katzensee and the Uetliberg to Felsenegg Planet Trail, all flat, all reachable within 30 to 45 minutes by public transport.
Best for views without much effort: Rigi and the Pfannenstiel ridge, both served by cable cars, funiculars or an easy climb.
Most scenic full-day routes: Speer via Amden and the Chäserrugg ridge, both rewarding but demanding good weather and a full day.
Winter-friendly and dog-friendly: Katzensee, Türlersee, Pfäffikersee and the lower Zugerberg paths stay walkable most of the year.
No car needed: every hike below can be reached and completed using trains, buses, boats or cable cars from Zurich Hauptbahnhof.

Before you set off

Switzerland's yellow-signposted trail network is about as reliable as it gets. Every junction carries a sign giving the next village, the summit and a walking time in hours and minutes, so getting lost is genuinely difficult if you stay on the marked path.
Pack layers even in summer, since temperatures drop fast once you gain altitude, along with sturdy shoes, water, a map or the SwitzerlandMobility app, and a few francs in coins for mountain restaurants that still prefer cash.
Dogs are welcome on a leash on nearly every trail in this guide, with the one exception being the exposed ridge sections on the Lägern, where the drop either side makes a lead more of a liability than a safety measure.
Cable cars and chairlists at Felsenegg, Rigi, Braunwald, Zugerberg, Sattel-Hochstuckli and the Chäserrugg all let you skip the hardest climbing and still reach a proper summit, which is worth remembering if your group has mixed fitness levels.

1. Uetliberg to Felsenegg (the Planet Trail)

Accessible: all year, snow permitting on the final stretch in deep winter
Level: easy, suitable for pushchairs
Distance: around 6 km
Time: about 2 hours
Starting point: Uetliberg station, reached by the S10 from Zurich HB in roughly 30 minutes

This is the classic hike near Zurich, and for good reason. The wide gravel path runs along the ridge of the city's own mountain, past scale models of the sun and each planet spaced out according to their real distance in space. Pluto turns up shortly before the Felsenegg cable car, which drops you down to Adliswil for the train back into town. Expect company on a sunny weekend, since this trail is genuinely popular with everyone from school groups to first-time visitors, but the forest and open meadow sections still feel calm. On a clear day you can see Lake Zurich, the city rooftops and the Alps on the horizon. There are restaurants at both ends, so you never need to carry a full picnic.

Forested ridge with a lookout tower and misty Alpine peaks on the Uetliberg to Felsenegg hike near Zurich

2. Türlersee circular walk

Accessible: all year
Level: easy
Distance: about 4.3 km
Time: roughly 1 hour
Starting point: Türlen bus stop near Hausen am Albis, about 45 minutes from Zurich by bus and train combined

This is one of the easiest hikes near Zurich and a good test for anyone building up hiking fitness before tackling something bigger. The path stays flat around the shore of a small, turquoise lake tucked into farmland south of the city, with a lido and restaurant at the southeastern end. It is a lovely walk in every season, quiet outside summer weekends when the lido fills up, and manageable with an all-terrain buggy. This is also one of the better winter hikes near Zurich, since the low elevation means snow rarely causes problems.

Wooden jetty on a calm autumn lake with golden trees, Türlersee circular walk near Zurich

3. Katzensee loop

Accessible: all year
Level: easy
Distance: around 5 km
Time: about 1.5 hours
Starting point: Zurich Affoltern station, a few minutes from Zurich HB on the S-Bahn

Katzensee is proof that you do not need to leave the city for a proper nature escape. The loop threads between two small lakes inside a protected nature reserve, past reed beds, orchards and a free swimming spot at the Unterer Katzensee. Dogs must stay on the leash here, since it is a bird sanctuary, but the flat gravel paths make this an easy hike near Zurich for families and an equally good winter hiking trail near Zurich when the higher routes are under snow.

Fallen mossy log reflected in still water at an autumn lake shore, Katzensee

4. Lägern ridge hike

Accessible: best from spring to autumn, and avoid straight after heavy rain, when the limestone gets slippery
Level: hard, with an exposed ridge section
Distance: around 10.5 km
Time: about 3 to 3.5 hours
Starting point: Baden train station, roughly 20 minutes from Zurich HB, finishing in Regensberg or Dielsdorf

This loop remains one of the more demanding hikes close to Zurich thanks to a narrow ridge path with steep drops on either side. Good footwear and a head for heights are essential if you take the upper path past the ruins of Alt-Lägern Castle. A lower, gentler alternative runs parallel through the forest for hikers with children, dogs or a dislike of exposed rock. Either way, you are rewarded with a long view over the Jura hills to one side and the Alps to the other, and the walk finishes in one of two handsome old towns with a direct train straight back to Zurich.

Narrow dirt trail along a green alpine ridge with steep peak, ridge hike near Zurich

5. Etzel, via Schindellegi

Accessible: all year, though the lower forest paths can turn muddy in wet weather
Level: moderate
Distance: about 10.5 km loop
Time: roughly 3 hours
Starting point: Schindellegi-Feusisberg station, about 45 minutes from Zurich HB by train

Etzel sits on the old pilgrim route to Einsiedeln, and the summit inn has been feeding walkers for centuries. The path climbs steadily through the Etzelwald forest, skirts the Turbenmoos peat moor and reaches a viewpoint over Lake Zurich, the Obersee and, on a good day, the Mythen peaks. It is one of the best hikes around Zurich for fans of history alongside scenery, since a short detour brings you to Einsiedeln Abbey itself. Autumn is particularly good here, when the moorland plants turn deep red and gold.

Traditional Swiss village with chalet houses in a green flowering meadow near the Etzel hiking region

6. Pfannenstiel ridge walk

Accessible: all year
Level: moderate
Distance: around 10 km
Time: about 2.5 to 3 hours
Starting point: Forch station on the Forchbahn, roughly 30 minutes from Zurich HB

Locals treat the Pfannenstiel as an early-morning escape route from valley fog, since the ridge often sits above the mist while the city stays grey. The trail runs through quiet forest to a 35 metre lookout tower with views over Lake Zurich and the Zurich Oberland, then drops through the Meilemer Tobel ravine, passing boulders and a small waterfall on its way down to the lakeside town of Meilen. Fewer visitors make it out here compared with Uetliberg, so it is a solid pick if you want scenery without the queue for a cable car.

7. Pfäffikersee circular trail

Accessible: all year
Level: easy to moderate
Distance: about 10 km
Time: roughly 2.5 hours
Starting point: Pfäffikon ZH station, about 25 minutes from Zurich HB (not to be confused with Pfäffikon SZ on the other side of Lake Zurich)

This flat loop around a lesser-known lake in the Zurich Oberland is one of the quieter hiking trails near Zurich, popular with birdwatchers and joggers rather than day-trippers. Reed beds line much of the shore, with a couple of swimming spots for warmer months. It is a good choice if Lake Zurich itself feels too busy, and flat enough to double as a winter hike near Zurich when higher trails are snowed in.

Wooden jetty on a calm lake with green trees and small islands, Pfäffikersee circular trail

8. Bachtel tower loop

Accessible: best April to November, since low-lying fog often sits in the valley below in late autumn and winter
Level: moderate
Distance: about 5 km
Time: around 1.5 to 2 hours
Starting point: Wald ZH station, about an hour from Zurich HB by train

The Bachtel is the local mountain of the Zurich Oberland, and its summit tower is the reward for a fairly short climb through forest. On a clear day the panorama takes in more than 200 Alpine peaks, with a logbook at the top to help you identify what you are looking at. It rarely feels crowded, even on weekends, which makes it a good pick if you want a proper viewpoint without the Rigi-style crowds.

View over a fog-filled valley toward snow-capped Alps from a forested hilltop near the Bachtel tower loop

9. Rigi, from Vitznau or Weggis

Accessible: the cogwheel railway runs all year, but the best hiking window is May to October; the Weggis cable car closes for maintenance for a few weeks each spring and autumn
Level: moderate, and easy to shorten using the cable car or cogwheel train
Distance: around 6 to 9 km depending on route
Time: allow a half day including travel
Starting point: Arth-Goldau station (direct train from Zurich HB, about 45 to 60 minutes) or Vitznau via Lucerne and a lake boat

Rigi is often called the queen of the Swiss mountains, and it earns the title with a 360 degree panorama that Goethe reportedly raved about. You can ride the cogwheel train all the way to Rigi Kulm and hike back down through alpine meadows to Rigi Kaltbad, then take the cable car the rest of the way to Weggis for a boat back to Lucerne. It is touristy, no question, but the network of trails means you can dodge the busiest sections simply by picking a quieter path off the main route. This is easily one of the best hikes close to Zurich for a full day out that still feels like a proper alpine trip.

Lake surrounded by green hills and snow-capped Alps, with a chalet in a meadow near the Rigi hiking area

10. Speer, via Amden

Accessible: June to October, since snowfields can linger into early summer
Level: hard
Distance: around 14 to 16 km
Time: 5 to 6 hours
Starting point: Amden, reached by train to Ziegelbrücke (about 50 minutes from Zurich HB) then a short bus ride, followed by the Mattstock chairlift

Speer is Europe's highest Nagelfluh peak, and the chairlift out of Amden removes the toughest 350 metres of ascent, leaving a long but genuinely spectacular ridge walk through alpine pasture and moorland. From the 1,951 metre summit you can see the Walensee directly below, the Alpstein and Glarus ranges close by, and Lake Constance on an exceptionally clear day. This is one of the most scenic hikes near Zurich if you are fit enough for a full day out, though it is not one to attempt in poor visibility or with young children.

Snow-covered alpine peak rising above dark forested slopes, summit views on the Speer hike

11. Braunwald Panorama Trail

Accessible: the full high route is best June to October; the car-free village itself is worth a visit year round
Level: moderate
Distance: about 8 to 10 km, with a shorter 5 km option
Time: roughly 2.5 to 3 hours
Starting point: Linthal Braunwaldbahn station (about 90 minutes from Zurich HB), then the funicular up to Braunwald in 7 minutes

Braunwald bans private cars entirely, so the only way up is the funicular, which alone makes the arrival feel like an event. From the village, trails fan out across high pasture with views of the Tödi and Ortstock peaks, past mountain restaurants with open fireplaces where a rösti and a rest fit naturally into the day. It is quieter than Rigi and has a slower, more old-fashioned holiday feel, right down to the horse-drawn carriages that serve as the village taxi service.

For a luxurious touch, book your stay at Hotel Alden Splügenschloss Zürich. This Limited Edition hotel offers a spa and makes a relaxing base after a long day of hiking.

12. Zugerberg high moor walk

Accessible: all year, though the moorland sections can be muddy after rain
Level: moderate
Distance: around 10 km
Time: about 3 hours
Starting point: Zug station (about 25 minutes from Zurich HB), then the Zugerbergbahn funicular

The Zugerberg gives you Lake Zug rather than Lake Zurich, plus a wide mountain panorama that stretches from the Mythen to Pilatus on the return leg down towards Goldau. The route crosses a protected moorland plateau, home to plants and birdlife you will not see on the busier trails closer to the city, before reaching the Pfaffenboden mountain restaurant for a break on its sun terrace. It sees a fraction of the foot traffic that Rigi or Uetliberg attract.

Sailboats moored in a calm harbour at sunset with mountains behind, near the Zugerberg viewpoint

13. Sattel-Hochstuckli

Accessible: all year, with hiking trails in summer and a toboggan run taking over in winter
Level: moderate
Distance: around 8 km
Time: about 2.5 hours
Starting point: Sattel station (about 50 minutes from Zurich HB), then the cable car up to the ridge

The cable car does most of the climbing for you here, leaving a gentle alpine plateau walk with views over Lake Lauerz and across to the twin peaks of the Mythen. Near the top station there is a small alpine flower garden and a loop path that works even for hikers who would rather not walk far, which makes this a good compromise pick for a mixed group. Families make up a large share of the visitors, so expect some noise and a busy car park on fine weekends.

Still lake mirroring green hills and clouds, similar to the Lake Lauerz view from Sattel-Hochstuckli

14. Klöntalersee lakeside walk

Accessible: May to October, since the higher paths can hold snow into early summer
Level: moderate
Distance: around 9 to 12 km
Time: about 3 hours
Starting point: Glarus station (around 70 minutes from Zurich HB), then a short bus or taxi ride to the lake

Few visitors from Zurich make it out to the Klöntal, which is part of the appeal. The path traces the shore of a bright turquoise lake beneath the sheer walls of the Glärnisch massif, with waterfalls tumbling down the rock face after rain and a swimming spot waiting at the end for warmer days. It is one of the best hikes around Zurich if you want scenery that feels properly remote without an early alpine start.

Turquoise alpine lake beneath steep, snow-streaked cliffs with small boats, like the Klöntalersee walk

15. Chäserrugg ridge walk

Accessible: the cable car and ridge trail typically run June to October
Level: moderate to hard
Distance: around 6 to 8 km
Time: about 2.5 to 3 hours
Starting point: Unterwasser, reached via train to Wattwil and a connecting bus (about 2 hours total from Zurich HB), then the cable car to the 2,262 metre summit

The Chäserrugg sits at the far end of the Churfirsten ridge and rewards the longer journey with a five-country panorama on a clear day, taking in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and, in the far distance, Italy. The ridge trail runs along dramatic limestone cliffs with views straight down to the Walensee. Because it takes longer to reach than Rigi or the Uetliberg, it tends to stay peaceful even in high season, which makes the extra travel time feel worthwhile.

Getting an early start

Most of the best hikes near Zurich reward an early departure, since morning light on the ridges is hard to beat and mountain restaurants get busy from midday. Staying close to Zurich Hauptbahnhof cuts out any wasted time before your train. Leonardo Boutique Hotel Rigihof Zurich sits a short tram ride from the station, making it a convenient choice for a busy vacation in Zurich.

Two hikers with trekking poles climbing a grassy alpine slope, misty mountain ridges in the distance

FAQ

Which hikes near Zurich are accessible by train?

Nearly all of them. Uetliberg, Türlersee, Katzensee, Lägern, Etzel, Pfannenstiel and Pfäffikersee all start within an hour of Zurich HB by train or a train-and-bus combination. Rigi, Speer, Braunwald, Zugerberg, Sattel-Hochstuckli, Klöntalersee and the Chäserrugg add a cable car, funicular or cogwheel train at the far end, but none of them need a car.

What are the best easy hikes near Zurich?

Türlersee, Katzensee and the Uetliberg to Felsenegg Planet Trail are the three easiest, all flat or gently rolling, all under 2 hours, and all suitable for pushchairs on most of the route.

Which hikes are suitable for beginners?

The same three easy options work well, along with Pfäffikersee for a slightly longer but still flat outing. Save Lägern, Speer and the Chäserrugg for once you have a few hikes under your belt, since all three involve exposure or a genuinely long day.

What are the best winter hikes near Zurich?

Katzensee, Türlersee and Pfäffikersee stay walkable through winter thanks to their low elevation, and the lower sections of the Zugerberg often do too. Higher routes such as Speer, Klöntalersee and the Chäserrugg close for the season once snow settles in.

Which hikes offer the best views of the Alps?

Rigi, Speer and the Chäserrugg deliver the widest alpine panoramas, while Etzel and the Pfannenstiel give a strong Alps view for a much smaller amount of climbing.

Final thoughts

Fifteen hikes around Zurich, and every one of them reachable without a car. Start easy with a lakeside loop, work up to a ridge walk, and save a clear-weather day for Rigi or the Chäserrugg when the views matter most. However you plan your week, a comfortable base near the airport takes the pressure off an early train or a late return.

Leonardo Hotels in Zurich offer the best base for your stay in the city. Book your hotel now!

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