Embrach walks

Seventeenth stage From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. Through the landscapes of northern Zurich, this stage takes you from Embrach to Uesslingen-Buch, following the rivers and villages that line the Huguenot Trail. From hamlet to hamlet, you will walk along well-marked footpaths, between discreet forests, peaceful farms and typical bell towers. Gradually, the scenery opens up onto the vast agricultural expanses of the Thur Valley, signalling the proximity of the German border. This route, rich in heritage and contrasts, ends gently by the river, in the peaceful countryside of Uesslingen.

Four-day tour through the cantons of Zurich and St. Gallen. This route offers views of Lake Zurich and the peaks of the Bernese Alps, the Glärnisch massif and the Alpstein, including the Säntis Winterthur, the starting point, and Rapperswil, the finish, both have remarkable historic centres.

For this first stage, starting from Winterthur station, after exploring the old town, you will very quickly find yourself in the countryside. You will cross an animal park. The route is quite varied, following the Töss river and passing through the peaceful village of Kollbrunn. Then, a ridge path will lead you to Gyrenbad, a place of tranquillity and rest.

Sixteenth stage From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. This transitional stage marks the departure from the Jura ridges and their mountainous panoramas to begin the descent towards Lake Constance. You leave the Jura Höhenweg to cross a more urban landscape, bypassing the metropolis of Zurich while skirting the runways of its imposing international airport. This contrast between nature and infrastructure gives the route a unique character. The stage ends gently on the banks of the peaceful Töss Valley, where the river meanders between woods and meadows, offering a relaxing setting after a varied day's walking.

Departure from Zurich Hauptbahnhof station. Walk along the Letten, first through Platzspitz park and then along KlosterFahrWeg. Then take the Lettensteg bridge and walk along Sihlquai to return to Platzspitz park via a footbridge. Return to the station via another bank of the Letten.

This is an easy route. You will follow various streams through forests and villages, exploring the outskirts of Zurich as far as the beautiful Lake Greifensee, where you can go swimming (in summer, at least).

The Rhine Falls are waterfalls located between Neuhausen (right bank) and Flurlingen (left bank) in Switzerland, downstream from Schaffhausen. With a height of 23 metres and a width of 150 metres, they are among the largest in Europe. When the Rhine has its average flow, 750m3/s of water rushes over the rocks.

Stage 18 From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. This stage, starting from Uesslingen, first takes you through peaceful agricultural pastures before skirting the vineyards of an old monastery. You then reach Warth, home to the Ittingen Charterhouse, which bears witness to more than 850 years of history and spirituality. Passing through Frauenfeld, the capital of the canton of Thurgau, you leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and return to the tranquillity of the banks of the Thur. The route takes you to Pfyn, then offers a beautiful immersion along the river, punctuated by the passage of the superb Eschikofen customs bridge. A stage combining heritage, nature and the gentle flow of the river.

This second stage will take you from Gyrenbad to the Hulftegg Pass. The Schauenberg offers a magnificent view of the Alps. The route to Sitzberg offers more interesting views, particularly of the Bichelsee. From Sitzberg (on the border between the cantons of Zurich and St. Gallen) to Allenwinden, the route follows a small road, which fortunately is not very busy. When you arrive at the Hulftegg Pass, you will enjoy a superb view of the Toggenburg and the Appenzell region.

The Schluchtensteig trail leads in 6 stages over 119 km from Stühlingen to Wehr across the southern Black Forest. "Exposed paths along steep rock gorges with some spectacular views down into the depths. Wutachflühen, Wutach Gorge, Schleifenbach Falls, Haslach Gorge, Windberg Waterfall, Hohwehraschlucht and Wehraschlucht are destinations for anyone who enjoys hiking through wild gorges, marvelling at thundering waterfalls, enjoying the natural silence and wanting to escape everyday life for a week," according to the Schluchtensteig website, and the trail delivers what it promises. We have changed the third stage slightly to save you the mountain between Lenzkirch and Fischbach. Instead, we hike in Schluchsee to the Riesenbühlturm tower with its panoramic view.

The Schluchtensteig trail leads in 6 stages over 119 km from Stühlingen to Wehr across the southern Black Forest. The first stage takes us from Stühlingen to Blumberg along the Wutachflühen. High above the Wutach, we hike on narrow paths and exposed trails. We pass the Sauschwänzlebahn railway line several times and, with a bit of luck, we will see the museum train steam past. The Buchberg with its long ascent challenges us in the last third of the tour before we descend to Blumberg.

An accessible hike around Lake Türlen, pleasant in summer thanks to the coolness of the lake and forest. You will pass through different landscapes: a wetland area, forest, and the climb to the village offers beautiful views of Lake Zug, the Titlis summit, and Lake Lucerne. You will descend through meadows before arriving at the more touristy beach.

Fifteenth stage From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. This stage marks the end of the ridge trail, running from west to east through the typical landscapes of the Swiss Jura. To conclude, a gentle descent winds its way through the vineyards, taking you to Dielsdorf, a charming village nestled at the foot of the Lägern, the last rocky outcrop of the eastern Jura.

This third stage will take you from the Hulftegg Pass to the isolated inn at Chrüzegg. The start of the route alternates between forest and pastures before taking a ridge trail at Roten. You will follow this ridge between the cantons of St. Gallen and Zurich to the Schnebelhorn, the highest point in the canton of Zurich and also the highest point of the hike. This summit offers a splendid panorama stretching from Lake Constance to Lake Zurich. The scenic route then passes through the Schindelberg, Rossegg, Habrütispitz and Chrüzegg peaks, offering more superb views.

Nineteenth stage: From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura mountain range. For this final stage, you will take the ViaJacobi, the ancient pilgrimage route that leads German pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela via Geneva. Following in their footsteps, you will reach the city of Constance (Konstanz), nestled in southern Germany. Constance charms visitors with its medieval charm, particularly in the picturesque Niederburg district, where narrow streets and half-timbered houses tell centuries of history. Its majestic Romanesque cathedral, the Münster Unserer Lieben Frau, has watched over the city since the Middle Ages. Finally, Lake Constance (Bodensee), a true natural gem, stretches out at the foot of the Alps and unites three nations — Germany, Switzerland and Austria — in a landscape of serene beauty.

This version of the Albsteig (Black Forest) takes you on a 112-kilometre journey through the Alb Valley along the river from Albbruck to the Feldberg, the highest peak in the southern Black Forest. The first stage takes you upstream from Albbruck through and along the picturesque Alb Valley and, towards the end, through the Höllbach Valley up to Göhrwihl.

This variant of the Albsteig (Black Forest) takes you through the Alb Valley along the river from Albbruck to the Feldberg, the roof of the southern Black Forest, covering around 111 kilometres. Along the route, the Albsteig crosses two other long-distance hiking trails, the Schluchtensteig near St. Blasien and the Westweg on the Feldberg. The multi-day tour described here takes you along the western route to the Feldberg and back down to Höchenschwand via the eastern route. From there, the Wolfssteig (23 km) takes you down to Waldshut-Tiengen and finally by train back to the starting point in Albbruck.

The Schluchtensteig trail leads in six stages over 119 km from Stühlingen to Wehr across the southern Black Forest. The second stage leads from Blumberg via the Schleifenbach waterfall to the Wutach, through the magnificent Wutach Gorge, past the former spa town of Bad Ball and several waterfalls, ending at the Schattenmühle inn.

This route starts in Pfäffikon (SZ) and leads to Rapperswil (SG) along a wide causeway that divides Lake Zurich into two parts. The first section follows wide gravel paths through a peaceful landscape. Up to Hurden, the path winds through meadows. From Hurden to Rapperswil, you’ll enjoy magnificent views of the lake as you walk along a series of wooden jetties. In Rapperswil, the path passes through a beautiful park leading to the historic town centre. The return journey can be made via the same route or by train (a train runs every half hour between Rapperswil and Pfäffikon).

One of the most beautiful hiking trails in the entire region is the Wutach Gorge (Wutachschlucht), nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Black Forest". These are wild gorges, followed by footbridges, steps and paths carved into the rock, with a stream that is sometimes calm, sometimes cascading, and lush vegetation. PLEASE NOTE: the road is currently closed for the return journey to Schattenmühle. Continue along the Lotenbach gorge for about 1.5 km until you reach the B315 road, where you will find the bus stop.

This stage will take you from Cham to Lucerne. The Michaelskreuz chapel offers a splendid view of Lake Lucerne. Gradually, as you walk along the Lucerne golf course, you will reach the shore of the Luzernersee. The magnificent lakeside promenade will take you to the old town near the famous Kappelbrücke.

This fourth stage will take you from Chrüzegg to Rapperswil on the shores of Lake Zurich. The trail quickly leads to a ridge line, passing through Tweralspitz. In the distance, you will recognise Chrüzegg. You will then descend gradually towards Rotstein, Schwammegg and Köbelberg, with panoramic views on both sides. From Rüeterswil, the Züri Oberland-Höhenweg and the Via Jacobi merge. The arrival in Rapperswil is achieved by avoiding roads as much as possible.

This variant of the Albsteig (Black Forest) trail takes you on a 112-kilometre journey through the Alb Valley along the river from Albbruck to the Feldberg, the highest peak in the southern Black Forest. Stage 5 is not formally part of the Albsteig. The Wolfssteig is both the continuation and the missing link needed to turn the Albsteig Black Forest into a multi-day circular tour. The Wolfsteig continues down into the Upper Rhine Valley to Waldshut and from there by public transport to the starting point of the tour in Albbruck.

Sublime and magnificent gorges: the climb up the gorges is very cool.

The Schluchtensteig trail leads in 6 stages over 119 km from Stühlingen to Wehr across the southern Black Forest. Our third stage starts at the upper entrance to the Lotenbachklamm gorge and ends in Lenzkirch, where there are numerous accommodation options and a bus connection to the start of stage 4. Alternatively, you can spend the night in Schluchsee and climb the Riesenbühlturm tower, see the corresponding tour. If you want to hike all stages of the Schluchtensteig, you can stay overnight in the Schattenmühle between stages 2 and 3. From there, you can tackle the Lotenbachklamm gorge and hike up to the starting point of this hike.

This stage will take you from Unterägeri to Cham. You will gradually arrive at Lake Zug after a short climb to the Brunegg mountain pasture. On the way down, you will pass the pretty chapel of St. Verena. You can enjoy a lovely walk along the lake in Zug.

This variant of the Albsteig (Black Forest) trail takes you around 112 kilometres through the Alb valley along the river from Albbruck to the Feldberg, the roof of the southern Black Forest. The third stage of the Albsteig leads via St. Blasien and the Westweg trail to Bernau and the pass at the top of the Feldberg. The highlights of this stage, apart from the impressive landscape, are the Windberg waterfall, the view of the cathedral in St. Blasien and the Herzogenhorn, the highest point of the Albsteig. On a clear day, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the Black Forest and the Alps.

This stage will take you from Siebnen to Einsiedeln. After the long climb up the Stöcklichrüz, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of Lake Zurich and the Sihlsee. At the Etzelpass, you will pass the St. Meinradskapelle chapel and the birthplace of Paracelsus. In Einsiedeln, a major pilgrimage site in Switzerland, don't miss a visit to the monastery.

This hike follows the Via Jacobi (signposted with a No. 4 symbol). Einsiedeln, home to a vast monastery, is a major pilgrimage centre. The route offers views of Lake Sihl. After crossing the Etzel Pass, you’ll catch sight of Lake Zurich as you descend towards Pfäffikon.

This stage will take you from Einsideln to Unterägeri. You will enjoy a superb view at the Chatzenstrick pass. You will descend to Unterägeri on the shores of Lake Ägeri via a ridge path.

The Schluchtensteig trail leads in six stages over 119 km from Stühlingen to Wehr across the southern Black Forest. In the fifth stage, the trail climbs 300 metres immediately after the start to the Lehenbachkopf. The trail continues to climb steeply. A new route now leads along the monastery pond and briefly along the mining trail. Then it goes over the Horbacher Heide and the Ibacher Höhe, from where you can see as far as the Swiss Jura on clear days. The crowning glory of this stage is the beautiful Hochwehraschlucht gorge.

This seventh stage will take you from Sankt Blasien to Wittenschwand. The route follows the Albsteig Schwartzwald. You will follow the Alb and walk along the Albstausee to the dam. In the evening, you will stop in the charming village of Wittenschwand.

Lake Schluch is the largest lake in the Black Forest, in Germany. It is a pleasant walk around the lake at any time of year. Most of this walk follows a fairly shaded path along the lakeshore.

Schluchsee is known for its lake and attracts many tourists, especially in summer. There are many hiking trails close to the lake. The Jägersteig (based on an old hunters' trail) alternates between paths along the lake and climbs into the surrounding forest overlooking the lake. There are several panoramic viewpoints along this route.

The Schluchtensteig trail leads in 6 stages over 119 km from Stühlingen to Wehr across the southern Black Forest. If you are staying in Schluchsee between stages 3 and 4, you should definitely climb the Riesenbühlturm tower and enjoy the magnificent view of Schluchsee and the Alps.

The Schluchtensteig trail leads in six stages over 119 km from Stühlingen to Wehr across the southern Black Forest. The fourth stage of the Schluchtensteig is almost completely free of gorges and therefore quite easy to walk. However, you should not underestimate the altitude difference, especially after Unterkrummenhof, where a long climb awaits hikers, and after St. Blasien, where the forest road descends for a long time and is quite steep in places. The southern Black Forest with its isolated farms shows its charming side on this stage, offering frequent views of the Alps. At the end, you can enjoy the Windeck waterfalls above St. Blasien. Thanks to good bus connections, this stage can also be hiked very well as a single stage.

This fifth stage will take you from Titisee to Feldberg Passöhe. The route follows the Westweg Schwartzwald. In the evening, you will stop at Feldberg Passhöhe, which, at 1,231 metres above sea level, is the second highest mountain pass in Germany.

Walking around Lake Titisee prolongs the serenity it exudes.