Exploring Oerlikon

Oerlikon between village centre and big city: this urban walk links the church, Wäldli, new parks and an observation tower, showing how neighbourhoods once separated by the railway tracks are growing together.

The urban walk starts at the Zürich, Sternen Oerlikon stop, in the heart of the old neighbourhood. From the Dorflinde, the route leads to the Reformed Church of Oerlikon, which stands at the junction of Oerlikonerstrasse and Regensbergstrasse. At around 470 m, this is also the highest point of the almost level circuit.

Rows of houses then alternate with small green spaces. In the Wäldli by the Heizigraben and near the Birchwald, the urban landscape briefly recedes. Around the Birchsteg, the defining feature of this themed trail becomes clear: the railway tracks separated the neighbourhoods for decades; new connections for pedestrians and cyclists are now bringing them closer together again.

In newer Oerlikon, the route continues to Oerlikerpark with its observation tower, as well as other open spaces between the residential buildings. Passing through Regina-Kägi-Hof and MFO-Park, the circuit approaches Oerlikon railway station. After a good five kilometres, it leads back through the city to the starting point at the Sternen Oerlikon stop.