Hike /Stadt Zürich
Exploring Affoltern
Affoltern (Zürich, Zehntenhausplatz)
- Distance
- 15.0 km
- Duration
- 3:30 h
- Ascent
- 143 m
- Descent
- 144 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Fitness
- Moderate
- Route type
- One way
01/ Overview
The route
Between Holderbach, wooded ravines and Katzensee, this circular hike reveals a surprisingly rural side of Zurich, alternating throughout with high-rises, railway tracks and new residential neighbourhoods.
From the Zürich, Zehntenhausplatz stop, the urban walk initially leads through Affoltern. At the Alte Kirche on the edge of the historic Unterdorf, village-like Zurich meets new residential neighbourhoods. Along the railway tracks, high-rises, the Rüggächern housing development and the Kulturbahnhof reveal just how much the neighbourhood has changed. The route follows the Holderbach out of the built-up area.
Beyond Reckenholz and through Hürstholz, open meadows alternate with wooded ravines. A large part of the route lies outside the marked hiking trail network. Near Hönggerberg, the circuit reaches its highest point at around 520 m; yet even among the trees, the city remains close at hand. The route then descends to Altburg. A short distance away stand the ruins of the lowland castle of Alt-Regensberg.
The return route leads straight to the shore of Unterer Katzensee and past the kiosk. After the peaceful stretch by the water, the houses of Affoltern reappear. The route continues through the neighbourhood back to the Zürich, Zehntenhausplatz stop.
Route data: Stadt Zürich, Züri z Fuess · opendata.swiss OPEN · Source
02/ Along the route
What's along the way
Where the route climbs and where it descends. Hover the profile to find the spot on the map.
03/ Conditions
Current conditions
What to know before you set off. Closures and snow are re-checked every day.
How we check: Every night we match the route against the official closures and detours from the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). Any reported closure that touches the route shows up here.
How we check: We look up a live public transport connection from your starting point to the stop closest to the trailhead. If it ends further away, the nearest stop may be a cable car or bus that isn't running right now.
How we check: Snow depth estimated daily at the lowest and the highest point of the route. Estimates: check the situation on site.
04/ Getting there
Getting there
From your door to the trailhead and home again, by train and bus or by car. Computed live from the timetable.
Or from
Outbound
Return
05/ Weather
Weather on the way
Forecast for the lowest and the highest point of the route.
Weather
06/ Trail & landscape
Trail & landscape
Which paths you walk on and the landscape they lead through.
Larches count as conifer forest here.
07/ Export
Take the route with you
Load the track onto your GPS device, print a route sheet for the trail or send the route to your hiking group.
Share
Send the link to friends or your hiking group.
Export GPX File
For hiking apps, GPS watches and navigation devices.
Print Route Sheet
A4 with map, elevation profile, waypoints and emergency numbers.
