Hike over the Lägern to Baden – Jura-Höhenweg stage 1

October is here and with it that magical golden morning light. I love autumn hikes and would love to stop time in autumn to enjoy these plays of light and colour to the fullest. In my opinion, autumn is also the most beautiful season for hiking through the deciduous forests around Zurich. After the Loorenchopf Trail and the Albisgrat, I have another tip for a panoramic half-day hike with a starting point that can be reached from Zurich main station in just under 25 minutes by train. This time we hiked the Lägern – the striking mountain range between Baden and Dielsdorf.

Hike from Regensberg to the Lägern Hochwacht

The starting point of our hike is the charming town of Regensberg. The history of the village on the eastern foothills of the Jura goes back to 1244. The Barons of Regensberg, who resided at the castle northwest of Katzensee from the middle of the 11th century, wanted to take advantage of the strategically favourable location to build a new representative ancestral seat here. Soon after, the Barons of Regensberg were forced to sell the town to the Habsburgs. Despite historical turbulence, Regensberg held its own and today proudly towers over Dielsdorf. Thanks to its elevated location, Regensberg not only offers a great view, but also significantly more hours of sunshine than many other fog-plagued communities in the Zurich lowlands.

After a short tour through the old town, we follow the signposted hiking trail in the direction of Lägern Hochgrat. After a few meters of altitude, the view over the town opens up to us. Afterwards we hike uphill on gravel paths for about 45 minutes until we reach the Lägern Hochwacht. Here, the viewing platform offers a 180° panoramic view from the Zurich Oberland over the Uetliberg to the Bernese Alps. In addition to the viewing platform, there is also an impressive radar system on the Hochwacht, which is used by the Skyguide to monitor the airspace. Next to it is a 120-year-old ensemble of restaurant and stable, which is currently being renovated. Until 2016, a restaurant was operated up here. According to the construction site information, a tenant is still being sought for the time after the renovation. A stop is therefore currently not possible up here.

Follow the Lägern ridge path to Baden

After the high watch, the previously wide gravel path is replaced by a narrow, stony nature path. The stones are a bit “nasty” in the way. Good footwear is worthwhile for this section – especially if it has rained the days before and the terrain is slippery. Up to the Burghorn, the path runs directly on the ridge of the ridge. The unsteady and rocky ground provides variety. After the Lägernsattel, we branch off to the right and follow the signposted Jura High Trail along the northern slope of Lägern to the Schartenfels shortly before Baden.

After the Schartenfels, with a postcard view of the old town of Baden, you descend a steep stairway towards the Limmat. The hiking trail leads past the Historical Museum over the historic wooden bridge into the Untere Halde. Here you will find Café Frau Meise, which is one of the best breakfast places in Baden. I would think that we really deserve the bowl of latte and the sinfully fine chocolate-cherry cake at this point! If you want to be sure of a place here, it’s best to reserve a table. During our visit on Saturday morning around 11 a.m., the café was relatively well filled – but fortunately there were still two free tables outside.

Practical tips for the warehouses Tightrope walk

The route of our hike from Regensberg to Baden via Lägern Hochwacht can be found on the map below. The distance of the hiking route is just over 10.5 kilometers. From Regensberg to Burghorn, around 350 metres of altitude have to be overcome uphill. Then it’s almost 600 metres down the valley towards Baden. The walking time is around three hours (signposted 3 hours and 15 minutes). You can reach the starting point of the hike by bus via Dielsdorf (alternatively, you can also start the hike directly at Dielsdorf train station). The bus from Dielsdorf to Regensberg Dorf runs every half hour.

The section from Regensberg to Hochwacht is developed as a comfortable gravel path. This is followed by a much narrower hiking trail that has been developed as a nature trail. After the Lägernsattel, there is a route variant via Buck in the direction of Schartenfels. This trail follows the ridge and has some steep/exposed passages. It is recommended to walk this section of the trail only if you are sure-footed.

The hike can easily be done in the opposite direction. If you start in Baden, you have to be prepared for a little more altitude. If you start in the late afternoon, you can combine the tour with a stop at the Krone Regensberg – the young chef Ale Mordasini was included in the circle of “Newcomers of the Year” by Gault Millau last Monday. Unfortunately, with the exception of Sunday, the Krone is only open in the evening (on Sunday there is a brunch menu from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.).

Key data on the hike over the Lägern to Baden – Jura High Trail Stage 1

Starting point	Regensberg
Length	10.58 kilometers
Elevation gain	↗ 356 m 596 m ↘
Duration	3:03 pm
Destination	Bathe

More information about the Jura High Trail

The Jura High Trail starts in Dielsdorf at the foot of the Lägern and leads from there in a total of 16 stages and a total of 320 kilometres to Nyon. We have already reported on a stage here on the blog, namely the route from Solothurn’s local mountain Weissenstein to Balsthal, which is also recommended. Further information on the remaining 14 sections of the route can be found on Switzerland Mobil.

This excursion tip doesn’t quite meet your expectations? No problem! In the articles linked below you will find further suggestions on what you can do around Zurich: 9 great excursion destinations and short hikes in the vicinity of Zurich or directly to the hikes around Zurich.