Menzingen – Sihlsprung – Sihlbrugg: Spring tour through the Zug moraine landscape

On the walk from Menzingen to the Sihlsprung and onward to Sihlbrugg, spring shows itself at its best. Flowering fruit trees among distinctive moraine hummocks and countless shades of green in the wooded Sihl ravine shape the landscape. The easy route is ideal as a successful introduction to the hiking season. It can also be wonderfully combined with a stop at the restaurant Sihlmatt, known far and wide for its fresh trout, and—depending on your tastes—expanded into a leisurely outing.

Looping through the picturesque moraine landscape around Menzingen

Admittedly, the restaurant Sihlmatt was the starting point for this walking idea. In the end we postponed that plan for another time. The beautiful spring weather lured us out of bed so early that we felt like we would have to take a lunch break around 10 a.m. — and at that time the patio umbrellas on the cozy terrace haven’t been put up yet. But that’s getting ahead of the story.

Not much is going on yet when we get on the bus to Menzingen at Zug train station. That suits us fine. We get off at the Menzingen, Dorf bus stop and orient ourselves by the signpost next to the stop. The direction “Sihlmatt” is clearly indicated, so we set off purposefully. The hiking trail leads us north out of Menzingen and takes us past the Meienhof over a pleasant meadow and forest path toward the hamlet of Winzwilen.

A little later the farmstead embedded in the moraine hummocks appears before us — what a picturesque sight! The meadows glow a rich green, and many of the scattered standard fruit trees are in full blossom. The impressive terrain formation with a tight sequence of oval-shaped moraine hills was created during the Würm Ice Age when the Reuss and Linth glaciers met here and older lateral moraines were reshaped into so-called drumlins.

Past the moraine hummocks down into the Sihl gorge

We follow the signposted path through Winzwilen and climb along the paved lane up to Brand. The glacial landscape Lorze – Sihl, listed in the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments of National Importance (BLN), shows its finest expression here in the Winzenbach–Winzwilen–Brättigen–Wilen–Schwand–Schwelli–Ölegg–Hof area. On the following section to Schwand, its features can be admired from different perspectives.

Shortly after Schwand the trail leads us downhill into the Sihltobel. Below, a small meadow called the “Sihlmätteli” opens up in the middle of the gorge, where the restaurant Sihlmatt is also located. The hiking path runs directly past it.

At the Sihlsprung it suddenly turns wild

The trail takes us past the “Fischteich” (fish pond) toward the Sihl. To reach the riverbank we have to pass through a short tunnel. Tall people should be careful not to bump their heads here. At the other end of the tunnel the Sihl roars loudly and wildly. Striking are the rocky, up to 75 m high steep walls of conglomerate, which are part of the elongated molasse hills. In the gorge-like section of the Sihlsprung, individual conglomerate blocks can be admired as large erratic boulders in the middle of the riverbed.

A relaxed cooldown along the Sihl toward Sihlbrugg

After we cross the Sihl on the bridge at the level of the Sihlsprung, the landscape — and with it the river — soon becomes gentler. In spots the Sihl flows very calmly, and benches as well as occasional barbecue spots invite you to take a long rest or to briefly dip your feet into the refreshing water.

The following four kilometers take us sometimes very close to, sometimes a little further away from the Sihl as we head downstream toward Sihlbrugg. A very relaxed stretch where you can wonderfully let your thoughts wander.

Shortly before the building complex with the field name “Schiffli” we switch to the opposite riverbank for the last 20 minutes into Sihlbrugg, Dorf. If you imagine Sihlbrugg, Dorf as a tranquil village center, you will soon be disabused. This final section is characterized by the sound of engines from the main road running directly beside the hiking trail, large commercial buildings and a lot of sealed surfaces — fortunately beside and not on the trail.

Key facts of the hike Menzingen – Sihlsprung – Sihlbrugg

The following hiking map shows the route from Menzingen via the Sihlsprung to Sihlbrugg. The entire route is signposted as a yellow-marked hiking trail (T1). On the first section of the route from Menzingen to the Sihlsprung the trail runs in places on paved roads. In the second part along the Sihl there are hardly any paved sections left; here it is either gravel paths or forest trails.

Technically there are no particular difficulties on this hike. However, the stretch along the Sihl should not be underestimated. At various points, warning signs indicate the potential dangers in case of high water. In addition, some slopes are unstable and landslides can occur. Check the weather forecast in advance and follow the recommendations on the warning signs.

Starting point	Bus stop Menzingen, Dorf (806 m a.s.l.)
Accessibility	accessible by public transport
Length	11.1 kilometers
Elevation	↗ 189 m ↘ 458 m
Duration	2:50 h
Destination	Bus stop Sihlbrugg, Dorf (535 m a.s.l.)
Places to eat	Restaurant Sihlmatt (Reservation recommended), Bäsebeiz a dä Sihl (open Friday to Sunday)

Practical tips for your hike through the Zug moraine landscape

• Getting there and back: Menzingen is well served by bus from Zug. For the return from Sihlbrugg there are also regular buses to Baar and Zug.
• Best time of year: The moraine landscape between Menzingen and Sihlsprung is especially attractive during the flowering season in April. It’s also highly recommended in late spring and in autumn, when the linden trees on the moraine knolls turn colorful and the hills are shrouded in mist. Along the Sihl you’ll also find welcome cool-downs on hot summer days.
• Extend the hike: If your legs aren’t tired yet in Sihlbrugg, you can continue seamlessly downstream along the Sihl toward Langnau-Gattikon.
• Snacks en route: There are several BBQ spots along the route. The aforementioned Restaurant Sihlmatt is widely known for its “Forelle blau”. A reservation via the website is recommended. With the “Bäsebeiz a dä Sihl” in the municipality of Hirzel (also shown as “Sihlmatt” on the map) there is a second place to stop along the route from Friday to Sunday.

More hikes in the region:

• If you enjoyed the hike from Menzingen to the Sihlsprung, you’ll find many other varied hikes around the Canton of Zug and the surrounding regions. Particularly lovely is, for example, the hike through the Lorzentobel with a detour to the Zugerberg, which features its rugged ravine scenery and lovely views of Lake Zug.
• In spring, it’s also worth taking a trip to Lake Zug: The hike from Walchwil to Arth-Goldau takes you through blooming cherry orchards and offers repeated beautiful views of the water.
• More inspiration for hikes in the surrounding area – including around Zurich – can be found in this overview of varied hikes, including a route that leads to the Sihl from the Zurich side.