Zürcher Weinland Trail: Hike from Dachsen to Ossingen

This hike starts just a stone’s throw from Rhine Fallsaway in the small community of Dachsen and leads for 15 varied kilometers through the Zürcher Weinland. The «Zürcher Weinland Weg» brings together many things the region is known for: picturesque half-timbered houses, wide views, narrow forest paths and broad field tracks that run through vineyards, deciduous woods and the open cultural landscape. Shortly before the finish in Ossingen, the area around Husemersee offers numerous idyllic rest spots that invite you to linger a little longer in nature.

If you ask me, this is exactly the right hike for days when you want to get out into nature but prefer the walk to be relaxed rather than sweat-inducing.

From Dachsen through the Zürcher Weinland

For a point-to-point hike that runs from train station to train station, traveling by public transport is the obvious choice. From Zurich, the fastest connection goes via Bülach and Schaffhausen to Dachsen. The train ride itself is part of the experience: when crossing the iconic stone arch bridge in Eglisau you get a wonderful view of the High Rhine as it winds between wooded steep slopes. A landscape that, in my opinion, is quite rightly listed in the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments of National Importance.

And you get a view of the Rhine Falls twice on this route—each time from a different perspective. After so much scenic spectacle even before the actual hike, we take it easy in Dachsen. Following the signpost, we walk along the railway tracks heading south. At the village exit you need to pay a little attention so you don’t take the wrong turn. It’s best to keep left and follow Uhwieserstrasse gently uphill until the hiking trail branches off to the right onto a natural path and passes under the highway.

Vineyards, forests and wide views

Behind Dachsen the path gradually gains height along the Anderbach. From the trail you can see, on one side, the village of Uhwiesen surrounded by vineyards at the foot of the Cholfirst, and on the other side the view opens over the diverse cultural landscape of the Zürcher Weinland. At the «Wieswendi» you first enjoy a beautiful long-distance view that reaches far over the gentle hills of the Weinland to the Alps. This section is particularly appealing between April and early May, when the fruit trees along the path are in full bloom.

Between vines and standard trees the trail continues toward the edge of the woods, which we follow up to the Gasthaus Guggere above Benken. We’re a bit early for a proper stop, but the view from the outdoor seating area is definitely worth mentioning.

Detour through charming village centers

The next section above Benken also delights with beautiful long-range views, where the path runs right through the vineyards.

The route along the foothills of the Cholfirst to Wildensbuch and onward toward Rudolfingen is then a bit less varied, since wide gravel paths dominate. However, the small villages along the way score points with attractive half-timbered houses and a few notable buildings. Particularly eye-catching is the former Zivilgemeindehaus in Rudolfingen – a striking half-timbered building with a small roof turret.

In Wildensbuch there is also the option of a short detour to the lookout tower on the Hochwacht hill, which is visible from afar.

An idyllic swimming spot to finish

At the edge of Rudolfingen we actually discover some wonderfully flowering fruit trees during our tour at the end of April. What a sight! After that it’s time to cover a few more kilometers through the open Weinland landscape. Between Rudolfingen and Husemersee the Zürcher Weinland Weg mostly follows wide gravel paths through the intensively cultivated agricultural landscape. Between the fields, the Oerlingerried suddenly introduces a very different landscape character: wet meadows, reed beds and protected natural areas break up the intensively used cultural landscape. In the coming years, further areas here are planned to be restored to a more natural state.

Shortly before the finish it gets really beautiful again: the path runs straight through the Falmenriet toward Husemersee. I have already introduced the walking paths through the nature reserve in this blog post before. At that time I was here in autumn; this time it shows that in spring the landscape—with its flowering trees and species-rich meadows—also appears particularly picturesque.

A nice finish to this tour — and the perfect spot for an extended picnic before the journey home or, if the temperatures are a few degrees higher, for a refreshing dip in the cool water.

Key data of the hike from Dachsen to Ossingen

The following hiking map shows the route of the hike on the Zürcher Weinland Weg from Dachsen to Ossingen. The route is continuously signposted as a yellow-marked hiking trail (T1). In the first third, forest and meadow paths dominate. Between Wildensbuch and Rudolfingen, after the «Höhi», a longer section follows on hard-surfaced ground. Afterwards, mainly graveled field paths lead through the open Weinland landscape to the Husemersee.

Technically, the hike is easy and presents no particular difficulties.

Starting point	Dachsen train station (395 m a.s.l.)
Accessibility	Accessible by public transport
Length	15.3 kilometers
Elevation	↗ 291 m ↘ 257 m
Duration	3:50 h
Destination	Ossingen train station (428 m a.s.l.)
Places to eat	– Gasthaus Guggere Benken (closed on Mondays)

Practical tips for your hike on the Zürcher Weinland Weg

• Getting there and back: Both Dachsen and Ossingen have a train station and are well served by public transport.
• Best time of year: The hike can be undertaken year-round (with few exceptions in case of heavy snowfall). It is particularly attractive in spring (April and May) and in late autumn (October and November).
• Food and drinks: There are only a few places to stop directly on the route. It’s best to pack enough drinks and some snacks for a longer break along the way. Around Husemersee you’ll find several nice rest spots (some with fire pits).
• Swimming at Husemersee: If you undertake the hike on a warm day, don’t forget swim trunks or a bikini. Husemersee is perfect for a short cool-down to finish the tour. Please observe the applicable rules (swimming is only allowed in part of the lake and air mattresses, rubber boats, SUPs, large rings, etc. are prohibited).