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Best Summer Hikes in Zurich

73 routes in Zurich qualify, ranked below by how much walkers rate them. They average 5.4 km and 115 m (377 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 50.3 km.

That is 23 percent of the 318 routes we map in Zurich. They run noticeably longer than average for the area, 5.4 km against 3.2 km, so budget more daylight than a typical outing here.

High-season routes, most of which only come into condition once the snow has cleared from the upper sections. The mix is broad: 46 are rated easy and 4 are hard or harder, so there is something here whether you have two hours or a full day.

Trails

Villa, ID 17701000
Easy

Fryheitsweg

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
3.6 km
/ 2.3 mi
Elevation gain
14 m
Typical duration
47 min
  • Waymarked route
Pfäffikon ( Switzerland )
Easy

Fryheitsweg

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Typical duration
16 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Schaffhauser-Zürcher-Weg

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
23.3 km
/ 14.5 mi
Elevation gain
380 m
Typical duration
5 hr 40 min
  • Lake
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Naturlehrpfad

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
2.9 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
63 m
Typical duration
42 min
  • Lake
  • Wildlife watching
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Nidelbad - Wildpark Höfli

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
2.6 km
/ 1.6 mi
Elevation gain
57 m
Typical duration
37 min
  • Lake
  • Wildlife watching
  • Waymarked route
Expert

Ämtlerwäg

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
50.3 km
/ 31.2 mi
Elevation gain
832 m
Typical duration
12 hr
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Hebelstein - Berg am Irchel

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
3.0 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
65 m
Typical duration
43 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Expert

Lebendiger Weinweg

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
33.2 km
/ 20.6 mi
Elevation gain
730 m
Typical duration
8 hr 33 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Schaffhauser-Zürcher-Weg

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
27.7 km
/ 17.2 mi
Elevation gain
390 m
Typical duration
6 hr 44 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Via Natura

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
1.5 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
33 m
Typical duration
22 min
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Via Natura

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
8.8 km
/ 5.5 mi
Elevation gain
193 m
Typical duration
2 hr 7 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Via Natura

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
4.3 km
/ 2.7 mi
Elevation gain
94 m
Typical duration
1 hr 2 min
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Via Natura

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
11.0 km
/ 6.8 mi
Elevation gain
241 m
Typical duration
2 hr 39 min
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Via Natura

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
9.0 km
/ 5.6 mi
Elevation gain
199 m
Typical duration
2 hr 11 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Via Natura

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
45 m
Typical duration
30 min
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Via Natura

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
11.0 km
/ 6.8 mi
Elevation gain
242 m
Typical duration
2 hr 40 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Berenberg Kloster - Multberg

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
1.8 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
39 m
Typical duration
25 min
  • Castle and ruins
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Bühlhof - Bürg

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
0.5 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
12 m
Typical duration
8 min
  • Castle and ruins
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Bürg - Lützelsee

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
45 m
Typical duration
30 min
  • Castle and ruins
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Burg - Uetikon Brand

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
3.8 km
/ 2.3 mi
Elevation gain
83 m
Typical duration
54 min
  • Castle and ruins
  • Waymarked route

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailZurich4.0 km229 m1 hr 11 minModerateApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailZurich3.3 km244 m1 hr 4 minModerateApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailZurich4.5 km227 m1 hr 17 minModerateApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailZurich7.0 km220 m1 hr 47 minModerateApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailZurich1.9 km187 m40 minModerateApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailZurich13.7 km170 m3 hr 7 minModerateApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailZurich3.8 km53 m53 minEasyApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailZurich9.0 km235 m2 hr 14 minModerateApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailZurich7.2 km105 m1 hr 40 minModerateApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailZurich3.9 km78 m56 minModerateApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Huguenot and Waldensian Trail, Huguenot and Waldensian Trail, Huguenot and Waldensian Trail. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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