Züri Oberland-Höhenweg
Overview
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Distance 19 km
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Duration 5 h 15 min
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Ascent 680 m
Intro
25-m-high steel observation tower on Eschenberg. Along the Töss embankment to Kollbrunn, a part of Zell, well-known for its nativity play «D' Zäller Wiehnacht» (The Zell Christmas). Over sunny, well-farmed slopes to Hotel Gyrenbad with its historic ambiance.
Description
The first leg of the Züri Oberland-Höhenweg trail starts in the sixth biggest city in Switzerland. Winterthur is a lively city full of art and culture, beautiful buildings and with no shortage of parks and gardens. The city owes its cultural riches to wealthy patrons of the arts from the industrial age in the 19th century. During this time, manufacturers of engines, locomotives and textiles helped Winterthur establish a booming economy in a short space of time.
From the railway station to the shopping street, the road bears right into the old town. Beautiful fountains, colourful rows of houses and decorated window shutters give this part of the city its unique character. Passing Büel Park and a residential neighbourhood, there follows Eichliwald wood, a popular spot among locals for jogging or longer walks. The next section passes through Eschenbergerwald wood, which is around 840 hectares in size. If so inclined, you can take a break after around one hour at the Wildpark Bruderhaus wildlife sanctuary, which is home to eleven different species of animal, including wolves, lynx, bison and red deer. You can also take a detour to Eschenberg tower. From a height of 31.5 metres, you will have a view of the Alps and the Black Forest. Further along the forest road, Kyburg castle will become visible in the distance. It has been towering over the Töss for over 1,000 years. Once upon a time, it was the ancestral castle of the counts of Kyburg and later became the residence of the bailiffs (Landvogt) of Zurich. Nowadays, it is a museum that provides insights into life at the castle in times past.
After the Eschenberg and the Steintobel, you will reach the Töss. The river originates in the canton of St. Gallen and, after 60 kilometres, flows into the Rhine at Teufen. At Sennhof, on the opposite side, you will not be able to miss the large building bearing the inscription “Bühlerareal”, where cotton thread was manufactured for over 150 years. Operations were ceased in 2016 and the site is now used for residential and commercial purposes. Keeping going along the river until you reach Kollbrunn.
Past the railway station, there follows a climb to the ridge gnarled by roots between the Erztal and Bäntal valleys. Crossing the Bäntalbach stream, you will pass the Tüfels Chilen, a natural spring with large amounts of travertine. At Tätschen, fantastic views of the Alpine mountain range appear in the distance – as well as aeroplanes, of course, arriving and departing at Zurich Airport. There is one last ascent to Höchholz and, after a little over five hours, you will reach the storied Gasthof Gyrenbad inn. This country inn is one of the first and most beautiful in Switzerland. Wind down after a hard day’s walking inside its historical walls or in its garden with views over the Glarus Alps.
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 |
Winterthur
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Girenbad
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| Ascent |
680 m
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| Descent |
400 m
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| Distance |
19 km
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| Duration |
5 h 15 min
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| Duration back |
5 h
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| Technical requirements |
Easy
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| Physical requirements |
Difficult
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| Season |
All year
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| Theme |
With panoramic view
|
Quick Facts
Route number
