From the lofty heights of this mountain look down on the rooftops and spires of Zurich. On a clear day you might even see the Swiss Alps.
Mt. Uetliberg lies to the southwest of Zurich’s center. At 2,850 feet (868 meters) above sea level, it’s the best spot in the region to enjoy panoramas of the city. You can either spend a short time up the mountain to take some photographs, or dedicate half a day to hiking, cycling or sledding around the area.
There are a number of ways to reach the summit of Mt. Uetliberg. In inclement weather, the best way is to catch the train service that runs from the central Zurich Hauptbahnhof station to the station at Uetliberg. From here, it’s a 10-minute hike to the top. If weather is on your side, embark on one of the hiking routes. The Denzlerweg trailhead is at the Albisguetli tram stop. So too is the start of the Laternenweg trail (this takes a more westward direction). The Hohensteinweg trail begins at the Triemli tram stop.
If you have a bicycle, make the most of the 2.2-mile (3.5-kilometer) downward trail that takes you to Triemli SZU station. Check your brakes beforehand.
At the top of Mt. Uetliberg are two towers. One is the Uetliberg TV tower, which is private. The other is the Uetliberg lookout tower, which is free to access, something you shouldn’t miss. Adjacent to the towers is Uto Kulm (Top of Zurich). This hotel offers some of the finest views in the city, although rates are not cheap.
The clearest views over the city and Lake Zurich are generally in the summer. This is also when you’re most likely to get a peek of the Alps, which lie about 124 miles (200 kilometers) to the southwest. However, there are benefits to visiting Mt. Uetliberg in the winter. The peak is one of the few points that rise above Zurich’s winter fog. Also, when it snows, all hiking paths are transformed into sledding runs and a trip down one of them is an enjoyable way to return to the center of Zurich.
