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There is no doubt that the Uetliberg mountain (also known as Üetliberg) is one of the most popular attractions in Zurich because of its breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings. Here’s a useful guide to the Uetliberg mountain in Zurich, Switzerland, if you’re interested in learning more.
An ideal sunny day offers an unparalleled view of Zurich’s surroundings that cannot be seen at lower elevations. Those who manage to reach the summit on foot may feel more accomplished if they succeed. Whatever the case, a visit to Uetliberg mountain, just a short train ride from Zurich, is well worth the trip.
It’s not just a panoramic viewpoint. Uetliberg is also a fantastic spot for food and relaxation, as well as a great place for biking and hiking. It is also a pleasant place to enjoy nature and reconnect with the environment.
Uetliberg Mountain: What to Expect
At 870 meters above sea level, Uetliberg is one of the four popular viewpoints near Zurich. Located southwest of Zurich, it is part of the Albis mountain range.
You will be able to see sweeping views of Zurich city from the highest point, Uto Kulm, as well as the Alps in Glarus and Central Switzerland. To the east, you will also have a breathtaking view of Lake Zurich. For even better views of the surrounding region of Lake Zurich, you can climb the observation tower near the Uto near the Uto Kulm hotel.
You will notice that Uetliberg Mountain has two towers. The Observation Tower is accessible to the public. As you climb the observation tower, you’ll have a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape, get exercise, and have an unforgettable experience. Also nearby is the Broadcast Tower, but it is generally not accessible to the public.
There is a 186-meter-high broadcast tower near the Uto Kulm Hotel. Its electromagnetic transmissions allow nearby residents to receive radio and television programming.
You can get to Uetliberg with the Uetliberg Train. The Uetliberg Train is the steepest normal standard gauge adhesion railway in Europe with a 7.9% gradient. It has been in operation since 1875 via Triemli and Uitikon-Waldegg.
Uto Kulm Hotel
On the car-free mountain of Uetliberg, Uto Kulm Hotel provides a wonderful setting to enjoy a filling meal and fantastic views. Featuring well-appointed rooms, a sauna area, an ice grotto, and several dining options, Uto Kulm Hotel is well worth a visit.
There is another restaurant, Uto Staffel, nearby, around 600 meters away. Uto Staffel is one of the highest restaurants in the city of Zurich. They serve Swiss food such as minced meat with mushroom cream sauce (Hacktätschli), Zurich veal strips (Zürcher Kalbsgeschnetzeltes), Sausage (Bratwurst), Crunchy fish (Fischknusperli), Alpine macaroni (Älpler-Makkaroni), and more.
Hiking around Uetliberg Mountain
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy Uetliberg. To and from Uetliberg, you will see many hiking trails of varying lengths. If you wish, you can also hike 400 meters up from Triemli or Albisgüetli instead of taking the train.
Here are some of the hikes near Uetliberg:
| Hike | Estimated Hiking Time |
|---|---|
| Uetliberg to Uto Kulm | 15 minutes |
| Uetliberg to Ringlikon | 30 minutes |
| Uetliberg to Folenweid | 45 minutes |
| Uetliberg to Albisgüetli | 1 hour |
| Uetliberg to Birmensdorf | 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Uetliberg to Albisrieden | 1 hour 25 minutes |
| Uetliberg to Felsenegg | 1 hour 40 minutes |
| Uetliberg to Albispass | 3 hours |
| Uetliberg to Dietikon | 3 hours 15 minutes |
| Uetliberg to Bremgarten | 5 hours 10 minutes |
| Uetliberg to Sihlbrugg Dorf | 6 hours |
The Planet Trail, which leads to nearby Felsenegg, is a popular hike for families. It is a journey through the solar system, where you will learn about the sun, planets, and planetoids. The trail takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours and reflects the distances within the solar system through the planets. This trail not only teaches you about the solar system, but also gives you wonderful views of the surrounding area.
You can get back down to Adliswil by taking the public funicular at Felsenegg. It is easy to travel back to Zurich city center by train from Adliswil.
Biking around Uetliberg Mountain
A number of biking trails can also be found around Uetliberg. Some sections of the trails are asphalted, while others are made up of dirt and gravel. The classic one is called the Antennentrail or Triemli Trail. You can start this trail from the SZU train station of Triemli and follow the bike path from there.
Uetliberg Mountain for Families
In case you are traveling with children, there is a playground right beside the train station. Aside from the playground, children can hike the Planet Trail to Felsenegg or sled down if there is snow.
Throughout the year, Uto Kulm Hotel hosts events like candle dipping, brunch, and an August 1 barbecue. You can check their website for more information. During my visit, they had the Winterzauber going on with street food, candle dipping, and fondue.
How to Get to Uetliberg Mountain
From Zurich Train Station, you can reach Uetliberg in half an hour. Uetliberg Train Station is the end point for the Uetliberg line, connected with Zurich Hauptbahnhof via S-Bahn Zurich Service S10.
In only 56 meters, you can reach the peak (Uto Kulm) and the viewing tower. It is just a short 10-minute hike to the summit. As soon as you reach Uetliberg train station, you will just need to take the stairs or the road directly beside it. It leads to Uto Kulm if you follow the path going up.
Uetliberg is car-free so you will have to park your car in Feldmoos. From the parking lot, walk along the forest path to the Uitikon-Waldegg railway station.
| Address | 8143 Uetliberg Zurich |
| By Train | S10 SZU Train Platform 22 in Zurich Train Station |
| By Car | Parkplatz Feldermoos Birmensdorferstrasse 12 8142 Uitikon-Waldegg |
Final Thoughts: Uetliberg Mountain
If you are visiting or living in Zurich and want to enjoy nature close by, as well as the most spectacular views of the city and lake, Uetliberg is a highly recommended excursion. In fact, Uetliberg is quite close to downtown Zurich and is a pleasant activity for anyone tired of the busy concrete seen in a busy city.
Uetliberg is also suitable for those who are traveling to Zurich but have limited time. The trip from Zurich to Uetliberg takes about 30 minutes and trains run regularly.
During your stay in Uetliberg, you can engage in activities such as mountain biking, hiking, and even sledding if there is snow. They have picnic tables near the broadcast tower where you can bring your own food or choose from a variety of dining options.
Uetliberg is also a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year. The activities are not just physical; you can also find moments of relaxation and solitude and snap beautiful photos to remember it by.