Switzerland is heaven on earth for several reasons. Not only is it home to some of the world’s best chocolate, but it also happens to be a hiker’s paradise. Switzerland is well known for its massive mountains, and avid hikers will thrive in this exciting destination. What’s particularly great about Switzerland is that it’s not just a hiking destination, but its cities are just as exciting as its nature.
Zurich is on everyone’s Switzerland bucket list for good reason. Not only is it one of the country’s largest cities and transportation hubs, but it’s also a romantic, historical respite. Don’t think that just because you choose to visit Zurich means you can’t enjoy the great Swiss outdoors, too. Zurich is home to one of the best-rated activities in the country, according to TripAdvisor reviews. Uetliberg Mountain is an exciting hike to embark on, and it’s located a stone’s throw away from Zurich, making the city a great place to base yourself if you want a little mix of the Swiss mountainside and a Swiss cityscape.
What to know about hiking Uetliberg
It’s no secret that Switzerland is a vivid, colorful, and beautiful destination, but just wait until you see the views from the top of Uetliberg. Uetliberg Mountain is close to 3,000 feet tall (approximately 2,850 feet above sea level), so its height naturally provides panoramic views of Zurich and the surrounding landscape. On a clear day, you might even be able to see the Swiss Alps in the distance.
To get there, you can either take a 20-minute train ride from Zurich Main station via the Uetliberg-Bahn. To lower your carbon impact and to get the most of your surroundings, it’s recommended to simply walk there from the city, which takes approximately one hour and 30 minutes.
To reach the top of Uetliberg, the hike to the top only takes around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the route you choose. If you start from Uitikon-Waldegg or Albisgüetli, for example, the hike is around 45 minutes. If you start from Triemli, on the other hand, the hike is closer to one hour.
What the reviews are saying
Out of all of the things to do in Zurich, Uetliberg has been voted the number one activity in the city on TripAdvisor. Most reviewers rave about the breathtaking views. Visitors also particularly love the observation tower, which costs two Swiss Francs (the local currency, which roughly translates to around $2.25).
Another real standout from those who have taken the trip out to Uetliberg is that the paths throughout the hike are well-marked, making the hike easier and accessible, especially for those crowded summer days. While there are several ways to get to Uetliberg as aforementioned, the majority of reviews mention taking the train as the easiest way to get here.
If you come here on a cloudy day, practice patience. Several reviews mention that when they reached the peak, the clouds prevented them from experiencing those sought-after views which makes Uetliberg so special, but with some time passing by, they did get lucky and saw those stellar Swiss sights. Practicing patience at Uetliberg isn’t too difficult, as you can certainly kill some time with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine or beer at the UTO KULM hotel, which is located at the summit. There are also several places throughout to purchase water.
