Wildnispark Zurich Sihlwald
Intro
The first nature experiences park in Switzerland offers a unique combination of forest, wilderness and animals. The Wilderness Park Zürich is home to the Sihlwald forest, a visitor centre with museum in the Sihlwald forest and the Langenberg park.
In 2009, the Sihlwald forest was officially designated a “nature discovery park of national importance” by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment. Once anything but a primeval forest, the intensively cultivated wood just outside the city of Zurich was used for centuries as a source of timber and firewood. 150 years ago there was even a forest railway to carry the wood away.
Exploitation of the forest ended in 2000. Set off on a stroll today and you'll soon find yourself among old giant trees and gnarly deadwood. Since nature has been largely left to its own devices, the area has been increasingly transformed into an unspoilt forest wilderness. The visitor centre in Sihlwald serves as a gateway to the forest.
The Sihlwald is both recreational space and an impressive natural experience right on the doorstep for the citizens of Zurich. And for families a special magnet - with the Langenberg animal park home to a wilderness with wild animals like bears, Otters and lynx in giant, natural enclosures that can be observed as they move around their natural habitat.
Information
Forest adventure trail
