Zürichsee-Rundweg, Stage 8/10

Standing on the southern foothills of the Pfannenstiel, you would hardly know that you were right in the middle of Switzerland’s largest urban area. Passing above the houses and traffic of the lakeside communities, the route takes you across vineyards and meadows, through forests and finally down a ravine.

From Stäfa station, the hiking trail leads out of the village and climbs towards the wooded Risitobel. At the Unterer Risitobelfall, the water rushes down immediately beside the route. Open meadows, stretches of woodland and hillside hamlets then alternate as the trail steadily gains elevation.

Around halfway, the route reaches its highest point at just under 600 m. Continuing through woodland and open farmland, it passes a second waterfall close by, the Püntenbach-Wasserfall. The route then descends towards Meilen and follows the Zweienbach for a considerable stretch.

Standing directly beside the trail is the ruined Friedberg castle, the remains of a hillside castle in the municipality of Meilen. A little later, the trail passes a waterfall on the Meilener Dorfbach and enters the first houses. After 13 kilometres and around three and a half hours, the hike ends at Meilen station.