Situated between Uetliberg mountain and Lake Zurich, and divided by the Limmat and Sihl Rivers, Zurich’s location is key to its appeal. Here, hiking, biking and cold-water plunges are as common as shopping in watch salons and chocolate emporiums. A love of the outdoors is in the DNA of those who call Zurich home – and with a matrix of forested hills, two rivers and a lake all within easy reach of the center, it’s little wonder why. Discover the city’s natural attractions through a local’s eyes with these outdoor pursuits.
Hike the Uetliberg
A 30-minute ride from Zurich Main Station will take you to this hiking haven situated on the west of Lake Zurich. Rising to only 870m, Zurich’s panoramic mountain is a baby in Alpine terms, but what it lacks in height it makes for in undiluted spectacle: from the top, there are forested trails to follow, a lookout tower to climb and a toboggan run to whoosh down in winter. Tackle the tower on the mountain too and you’ll be 900m above sea level – and rewarded with magnificent views of the city and lake.
SUP the Schanzengraben
Part of the city’s medieval moat system, the Schanzengraben is a highlight of a standup paddleboarding (SUP) tour of the city’s waterways and quaysides. Paddling beside vibrant blue swimming spots and beneath a slew of bridges, you could, for the briefest moment, feel like you’re in Venice. Those who don’t SUP can still get their peace and quiet at this promenade, as a path along the canal is lined with willowy trees.
Boat ride to Uefnau
This idyllic nature reserve and small island on Lake Zurich is bypassed by most visitors, but hides grapevines and time-stopped churches: to land here is to almost travel back in time. If you love visiting churches, you’ll find that the first Christian church was built on this island as early as the 7th century.
Cycle the Limmat River path
Start your ride from the north of the city at Zurich Hauptbahnhof, the largest railway station in Switzerland. Follow the car-free pathway and you’ll encounter street art murals, a food market and a bucolic park. Crucially, you’ll also see a part of the city few others do, as fewer tourists venture here. June to August is Zurich’s peak tourist season, where the pleasant temperature is at an average of 21 C. Enjoy the outdoors and opt for a night stroll during their cool breezy evenings.
Swim at a lido bath house
In a city famous for urban dips, Zurich has no shortages of lidos and historic bath houses. Unlike mere outdoor swimming pools, lidos are usually situated near another body of water, such as the beach or river. If jumping into a public body of water right in the heart of town is on your list, Limmat’s riverside lidos have cult followings – some even turn into bars come nighttime. The vibe is often pre- or post-work fluster and bluster, but many are quiet bubbles of contemplation and there are at least a dozen to choose from. One stand out is Frauenbad at Stadthausquai, an Art Nouveau cabana exclusively for women.
Walk Bahnhofstrasse
If your idea of an adventure in nature is outdoor shopping, look no further than Bahnhofstrasse. A riot of consumerism by design, Zurich’s showpiece boulevard is a glitzy kilometer-long stretch of prestigious luxury brands that rivals anything you’d find in New York, Paris or Tokyo. Here the sport is window shopping, or what the Swiss call lädele. During winter, this street is the place to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine.
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