Rhein–Hirzel–Linth
Overview
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Distance 39 km
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Ascent 580 m
Intro
The Zürichsee keeps tempers and tax coffers even, at Hirzel, glacial drumlins sit in a green moraine landscape and tiny idyllic marshy hollows and impressive villas lie as if simply tossed into a grandiose panoramic setting.
Detour / Closure
There are detours or closures along this route, for more information see https://schweizmobil.ch/en/cycling-in-switzerland/route-32/stage-2
Description
Zurich is not only the largest city in Switzerland, it is also one of the cities with the highest density of millionaires in the world. The atmosphere around the main train station is busy, sometimes hectic. This part of the tour passes a lot of concrete and then follows the Sihl River out of the centre. In the Uetliberg-Albis nature reserve, it often looks like every dog from the region is out for a walk with its owner. The long bicycle bridge across the Allmend is impressive. You may even spot a kingfisher or a tree frog along the way. In the near distance you can see the Albisgütli area and the observation tower on the Uetliberg.
Cruising through neighbourhoods and short forest sections, you soon reach a pond called Gattikerweiher near Gattikon, an oasis, not only for ducks and coots. Unlike the nearby forest pond (Waldweiher), swimming is allowed here. A long section then meanders along the motorway in the direction of Zimmerberg. You’re likely to frequently turn your head here to catch a glimpse of Lake Zurich. The so-called drumlins in the Hirzel area are very interesting. These small oval mounds, formed long ago by glacier action, almost always include a tree. They seem magical, mystical even, especially when it’s foggy. There is a lot more to see up here, marshy hollows, for example, near the Johanna Spyri Museum on the Hirzel, which brings back memories of Heidi! Or a neat golf course, impeccably maintained and yet, out in the middle of nowhere.
The cabriolet and Porsche drivers and those with other expensive cars are careful where they drive when they come to this lovely, big-money area for just a short visit. They are very cautious as they pass the wide tractors on the small roads to avoid scratches on their cars. The handsome farms gradually disappear and are replaced by modern condominiums and artists’ studios. The village of Samstagern has nothing to do with Saturday (Samstag in German), does it? In any event, the municipality of Wollerau in the Canton Schwyz is not only popular because of its gorgeous location above Lake Zurich. Entrepreneurs, athletes and other people of means all appreciate the town with the lowest taxes in Switzerland. Now follows the last section through Wilen and down to Pfäffikon, going either directly to the train station or to the south end of the dam, at least to take a peek. The Seedamm (lake dam) connects Rapperswil with Pfäffikon and was built on an ice-age moraine. Those who love to play in the water might head for the lake or visit the Alpamare, Switzerland’s biggest water park. Soldiers of fortune and those trying to optimise their profits, on the other hand, might try their luck in the casino at Seedammstrasse.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Zürich
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Pfäffikon SZ
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| Ascent |
580 m
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| Descent |
560 m
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| Distance |
39 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
37 km
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| Distance on natural surface |
2 km
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
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| More information | https://schweizmobil.ch/en/cycling-in-switzerland/... |
Quick Facts
Route number
