Glatt-Route

The route follows the winding river, passing quietly and unobtrusively through the bustle of the flourishing urban areas in the Zurich Unterland. Remains of marshlands from before the age of aviation can still be seen at Neeracher Ried. On emerging, the cyclist is caught up in the unmistakable aerial ballet and inevitable noise of the airport.

The route soon drops again and escapes to the protection of the meandering River Glatt, with a mocking mixture of idyllic riverbank paths and monstrous concrete overhead motorway bridges which cross unchecked through Zurich’s outskirts. The Glatt drains the Greifensee, the route follows the reed-rich shores, urban activity gradually gives way to the rolling countryside of Zurich Oberland.

Now only small streams lace through the former marshland, from afar on a rocky outcrop, the tiny town of Grüningen comes into view, a wonderful panoramic view followed by a gentle descent to Rapperswil, the lively town on the Zürichsee.