Winter hike on the Uetliberg in Zurich

The Christ Child must have received many hand-scribbled snow wishes this year. In any case, the white splendour trickled punctually from Boxing Day far down into the valley. And after the first layer didn’t stick for long, the snow also started in Zurich after initial teething problems. What a fabulous surprise it was when the next morning, instead of the usual gray soup, an almost dazzling white splendor awaited me! As a child, I remember how I took out the wooden sledge at the first snow, cheering, and tobogganing down the road until the snowplow destroyed everything. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the sled at hand that morning. Nevertheless, we snuggled up in warm clothes and made our way straight to Uetliberg. In my two years in exile in Zurich, I have never experienced Zurich’s local mountain with snow.

At the SZU train station, it quickly became apparent that the snow had not only lured us out of the warm living room, but that droves of families were waiting for the train to the white paradise. The crowded train was filled with babbling children’s voices.

Start of the winter hike in Zurich

Once at the top, we make a detour around the toboggan run, which starts just a few steps next to the train station, and march towards Uto Kulm. Where just a few weeks ago we admired the sunrise high above the colorful canopy, on this day there is nothing to see except an icy wind and snow flurries.

Instead of the wide path along the edge of the forest, we choose the narrow rock path for the winter walk in the first section. Admittedly, tackling half-snow-covered wooden stairs without falling sounds easier than it actually is. At the playground at Hohenstein, we cross the toboggan run and turn left towards the Ringlikon railway station. After a few steps, the unique avenue of sequoias, which was created after the storm “Lothar”, begins. By the way, there is also a popular toboggan hill for the little ones at the Ringlikon station.

This excursion tip doesn’t quite meet your expectations? No problem! In the article 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