Discover Flaach: Trails, Floodplains and History
Accommodation in Flaach
Flaach combines experiences in its floodplain landscape with hiking trails and historic buildings. When planning your trip, you can choose between a circular trail with interactive stations, nature watching and insights into the history of the area. This lets you shape your stay around the topics that interest you most.
Floodplain Landscape and Agriculture
As part of the “Flood Protection and Floodplain Landscape at the Thur Estuary” project, the Thur riverbed was restored to a natural state along its final kilometres before the confluence between 2008 and 2017. The Thur can once again meander freely there; during high water, the surrounding floodplain landscape can be inundated. These changes shape the natural environment and are also explained in the Thurauen Nature Centre’s interactive exhibition.
The Flaacherfeld is characterised by agriculture and is criss-crossed by cycling and hiking trails. You can explore the landscape on foot; a family visit is also described. Nature, agriculture and outdoor activity are all in focus, without requiring you to settle on a single attraction.
Trails with Different Themes
The Thurauen Adventure Trail is a 2.6-kilometre family hiking trail that can be walked year-round. Its 14 interactive stations make it a clear choice for anyone looking for a route with regular stopping points. The start and finish are at the EllikerbrĂĽcke car park.
The WWF Beaver Trail offers a different focus: its ten information stations cover the European beaver and its habitat. The Via Natura hiking trail, in turn, connects five nature centres in the Canton of Zurich. Its first stage, between the Thurauen and the Neeracherried, opened in spring 2022. The trails described here therefore differ mainly in their content: interactive stations, information about beavers, or a link between nature centres.
Nature Centre and Wildlife Watching
At the Thurauen Nature Centre, the interactive exhibition “Floodplain Landscape Cosmos” shares information about the revitalisation of the Thur and typical inhabitants of the floodplain landscape. The exhibition and nature trail can be explored independently during opening hours. If you plan to visit, check the centre’s current opening hours.
Completed in 2025, the Thurauen observation tower has viewing platforms at heights of eight and twelve metres. From there, you can watch nature and enjoy panoramic views. Another wildlife-watching opportunity is a platform above an old course of the Thur, which offers a glimpse into a natural forest reserve left to develop on its own. With a little luck, you may spot a beaver there, although a sighting is not guaranteed.
Groups can take part in a puzzle activity in and around the nature centre: work together to crack a code and help Prof. Diptera. As this activity is seasonal, check before your trip whether it is available during your visit.
Historic Buildings in Flaach
Flaach also offers specific points of interest for anyone interested in architectural history. Following renovations carried out between 1985 and 1989, Flaach Castle has regained its original appearance and is protected by the Swiss Confederation and the Canton of Zurich. The current church was built in 1610–1611, and its tower was added in 1619. These dates place the area’s history in a clear chronological context.
Getting to the Nature Centre
You can reach the Thurauen Nature Centre on PostBus route 675 via Henggart or Rafz. From the “Flaach, Ziegelhütte” stop, it is about an eight-minute walk to the centre. As the service follows a timetable, check the current departure times before your trip.
Discover more destinations: TrĂĽllikon, Dorf, Ossingen, Wiler, Oberstammheim, Buch Am Irchel, Rheinau, Laufen-Uhwiesen.
Return to the higher-level travel overview: Andelfingen.
