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News from the parks

10th National Swiss Parks Market, 21 May 2026

On 21 May 2026, the Bundesplatz will transform into a festival of culinary delights. Taste the finest regional specialities from the Swiss parks and meet passionate producers! The programme includes tastings, games and activities for young and old, music – everything you need to enjoy for a great time. Save the date!

9th national Swiss parks market, 15th May 2025

Am Donnerstag, 15. Mai 2025, ist der Pärke-Markt zurück auf dem Bundesplatz in Bern. Auf dem Programm stehen Spezialitäten, Degustationen, Spiele und Mitmach-Aktivitäten an den Ständen, Musik und alles, was es braucht für eine gute Zeit. Reservieren Sie sich das Datum schon jetzt!
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Sihlwald–Hochwacht–Sihlwald

Hiking trail
Time required: 3 hours 15 minutesLength: 11.00 km

Wildnispark Zürich Sihlwald - This leisurely hike with a few climbs leads right through the core zone of the Sihlwald forest.

This varied hike takes you through different types of forest in the Sihlwald. First, you walk from the Sihl via Summerhalden up to Schnabellücken and back. The hike then continues along Spinnerweg to Waldmatt and via Tannboden back to Sihlwald station. Along the way, the beautiful Summerhalden nature reserve invites you to pause and take a deep breath. Shortly afterwards, you can experience the core zone of the Sihlwald forest up close. Waldmatt awaits you with a soothing, reed-covered clearing. Several streams are impressive, which you can cross safely and dry-footed, catching exciting glimpses of some ravines. If you feel like it, you can take a detour from Schnabellücke to the Hochwacht observation tower, which takes an additional 45 minutes.

Route-information

Length
11.00 km
Altitude difference ascent
487 m
Altitude difference descent
487 m
Time required
3 hours 15 minutes
Level technique
Easy
Level condition
Middle
Height profile view map

  • child-friendly

Arrival

Starting point
Besucherzentrum in Sihlwald (Altitude: 481 m)
Arrival by public transport
Sihlwald, Bahnhof Timetable SBB
Destination
Besucherzentrum in Sihlwald (Altitude: 481 m)

The offer is suitable for

  • Adults
  • Children < 6 years
  • Children from 7-12 years
  • Children >12 years
  • 50+
Wildnispark Zürich Sihlwald

Visitor centre in Sihlwald

Visitor centre of the Wildnispark Zürich in Sihlwald with information, a souvenir and book shop as well as an exhibition on the Sihlwald forest.

Visitor center
Wildnispark Zürich Sihlwald

Learning Trail: Small Animal Commune

A pile of branches here, a few piled stones there and an insect hotel on the wall – all places where lizards, hedgehogs, bees, and other small animals find a home.

FaunaFloraMuseum / Exhibition
Wildnispark Zürich Sihlwald

Bähnliweg

1876 wurden im Sihlwald erstmals eine Waldeisenbahn verwendet, um die Forstarbeit zu erleichtern. Übriggebliebene Schwellen des einst 12 km langen Trassees kann man noch heute auf dem Bähnliweg entdecken.

Historical place
Wildnispark Zürich Sihlwald

Langrain barbecue area

The two barbecue areas at Langrain lie directly on the Sihlwaldstrasse .

Fireplace
Wildnispark Zürich Sihlwald

Schnabelburg ruins

Schnabelburg was given to the town of Zurich by the Hapsburgs, who had remained neutral during a hostile retaliation campaign. Today only the foundation walls are visible.

Historical placeCastle
Wildnispark Zürich Sihlwald

Albis observation tower

153 Steps up to an unlimited panorama over the whole wilderness park of Zurich and beyond: from the Black Forest to the Säntis, the Glarus Alps, Lake of Zug, Rigi, Pilatus, and the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

Viewpoint
Wildnispark Zürich Sihlwald

Albishochwacht

Zwischen 1624 und 1798 war die Albishochwacht Teil des Zürcher Alarmsystems bestehend aus 23 Hochwachten. Im Jahre 1792 wurde von hier eines der ersten Alpenpanoramen gezeichnet.

Historical place
Wildnispark Zürich Sihlwald

Hochwacht barbecue area

Directly next the the Hochwacht observation tower there are two barbecue areas with various seating facilities as well as a table and bench combination.

Fireplace
Wildnispark Zürich Sihlwald

Spinnerweg

Der Spinnerweg war früher einer der wichtigsten Verkehrswege im Sihltal. Die Spinnereien am Zürichsee und im Sihltal beschäftigten Arbeiterinnen aus dem Konaueramt, welche diesen Weg über den Albis zu Fuss zurücklegten.

Historical place
Wildnispark Zürich Sihlwald

Rooseveltplatz

The Rooseveltplatz is named after Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of the American President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who in 1948 admired the mighty 200 year-old trees on this location during a visit to Sihlwald.

Historical place
Wildnispark Zürich Sihlwald

Tannboden barbecue area

There is a barbecue area with four benches at Tannboden.

Fireplace
Wildnispark Zürich Sihlwald

Visitor centre barbecue area

There are three barbecue area with several benches in front of the Visitor centre in Sihlwald. Firewood is available in wooden crates.

Fireplace

Season

All season

Contact

Stiftung Wildnispark Zürich
Alte Sihltalstrasse 38
8135 Sihlwald
T +41 (0)44 722 55 22

www.wildnispark.ch

Map