Sunrise in Zurich – Sunday on the Uetliberg

For early birds to catch the sunrise in Zurich

First Sunday of November, 05:45 a.m. The shrill alarm clock sounds rudely tear us out of the dream world. The plan: take the first cable car up the Uetliberg to catch the first promising rays of sunshine of the day. Quickly get out of bed, into the clothes layer and out of the house. Less than 15 minutes later we are standing at the tram station in the thickest autumn fog. Will the Uetliberg rise out of the sea of fog at all? The train at 6:35 a.m. is filled with employees of the Uto Kulm, older gentlemen who must have been driven out of the house by the senile bed escape and other tripod-carrying photographers.

Sunrise is scheduled for 7:10 a.m. The first train arrives at Uetliberg station at 06:55. With our eyes fixed on the sky shimmering in red tones, we march briskly towards the viewing platform. A single glance is enough. Everything done right. Other photographers have also smelled a fuse and have already put their tripods in position expectantly. What a glorious morning high above the sea of fog. Whether you prefer “the early bird catches the worm” or “morning has gold in its mouth”, the moment when the sun’s rays creep out from behind the summit and make the clouds glow golden, fills me with pure happiness.

Good luck

Less than half an hour later, the sun has already worked its way towards the celestial zenith. Time to retreat towards the fog. Spontaneously, we decide to tackle the way back on foot and walk along the ridge path accompanied by distant alphorn sounds towards the city. The closer we get to the city, the more often joggers and walkers cross us on our way towards the summit. But they are too late, the magic of the early morning is over. Luckily, the alarm clock got us out of bed so early. Fittingly, we stop at the “Zum guten Glück” for a good portion of pancakes. That’s how it works with Zurich’s Sunday happiness!