Cycling through North Zurich

A flat urban circuit on foot: from Oerlikon railway station via Seebach to the Katzenbach and Büsisee, through open green spaces and the neighbourhoods of Affoltern and Neu-Affoltern, before returning to the starting point.

The circuit of just under twelve kilometres begins at the Zürich Oerlikon stop, amid the neighbourhood’s buildings. Urban paths lead to Seebach. Close to the route stands the Maria Lourdes church, whose adjoining chapel is modelled on the Lourdes grotto. Before long, the dense urban landscape gives way to more open meadows and green spaces.

For the next few kilometres, the path follows the Katzenbach. At Büsisee, the circuit runs right along the water before approaching the houses of Affoltern once more. Only part of the route follows signposted hiking trails; for the most part, it takes other paths through northern Zurich. In Unter-Affoltern, it passes the Alte Kirche on the edge of the historic Unterdorf district.

After Affoltern, the route climbs gently to around 460 m, the highest point of the circuit. It then continues through Neu-Affoltern back towards Oerlikon, alternating between open spaces, parks and residential neighbourhoods. After around two hours, the circuit closes back at the Zürich Oerlikon stop.