Hinwil Between Circular Trails and Local History

Hinwil combines trails through woodland and moorland with a local museum in a largely original Flarz timber-framed house and a long church history. The municipality is set in the countryside of the Zurich Oberland, yet close to the city of Zurich. You’ll find a range of themes for your stay here: longer circular hikes, insights into traditional work and traces of several centuries.

Circular Trails for Different Timeframes

The 3-Wachten circular trail is a hike of about three and a half hours. It starts at an information board a little above the Hinwil post office and crosses the DVZO museum railway line between Hinwil and Bauma. From open sections of woodland, there are views of Hinwil and, in good weather, an Alpine panorama. After the Höi, at 729 metres, you can also see Ringwiler Weiher and the Bachtel. Check local conditions before setting out.

The 7-Riede circular trail takes about two and a half hours and starts at the information board by Wiesli, above the post office. Its route passes through Hinwil’s seven marshes: Freecht-, Schweipel-, Chuder-, Oberhöfler-, Schwändi-, Späcken- and Turpenried. VVH signposts and a cloverleaf symbol mark the trail; check the condition of the signs locally. The stated times make it possible to compare the time required: about two and a half hours for the 7-Riede circular trail, compared with about three and a half hours for the 3-Wachten circular trail.

The 4-Quellen circular trail starts at the TCS car park in Girenbad and takes a little over three hours. It passes at least four springs where hikers can quench their thirst. The availability of the springs may vary seasonally. There are several barbecue areas along the trail; observe any local fire restrictions. The Bachtel Geopath also has a starting point at the TCS car park in Girenbad and another by Wernetshausen school. Nine informative panels accompany the trail up to Bachtel Kulm. Check the trail signs before setting out.

Landscape Around Bachtel

Hinwil lies on the western slope of the 1,115-metre-high Bachtel; the Wildbach flows towards Lake Pfäffikon. The landscape around Bachtel and Allmen, in the municipalities of Hinwil, Wald, Dürnten and Fischenthal, is a nature and landscape conservation area of cantonal importance. Endangered Alpine foothill animal and plant species can be found there, including the whinchat, the Duke of Burgundy fritillary, the short-winged conehead and various orchids. The protected drumlin landscape extends from Wetzikon through Hinwil to Dürnten, Gossau and Bubikon. Check the applicable rules before activities.

Museums and Hinwil’s History

The Hinwil Local History Museum brings the period around 1800 to life in a largely original Flarz timber-framed house. The barn presents farming activities throughout the year and traditional crafts, including wooden pipe drilling and the work of wheelwrights and carpenters. The Turpenschopf beside the barn explores peat cutting and the subsequent drying of the fuel until it was used in the living room. The weaving cellar shows the former practice of home working. Guided tours of the local history museum and/or the exhibition store are available at any time by prior arrangement.

Regular visits are possible from March to December on the first Sunday of each month, from 14:00 to 17:00; admission is free. Check opening hours before your visit. The Fire Brigade Museum displays firefighting equipment from earlier and more recent times. It is housed in the fire engine house, which was equipped with the first suction pump in 1864.

The Reformed Church of Hinwil has been documented since around 750 and was built on the masonry foundations of a Roman villa. Its Mathis organ has mechanical action, three manuals and a pedal, 32 stops and more than 2,000 pipes. It was ceremonially inaugurated on 17 June 1973. In Hinwil, early local history and an instrument with specific technical features stand side by side.

The Museum Railway as Part of the Cultural Heritage

The Bauma–Hinwil line, used by DVZO museum trains, was built as a section of the former Uerikon–Bauma Railway. The carriages and locomotives date from the first century of Swiss railways, 1847–1947, and mostly from around 1900. A journey is characterised by the rumble of wheels on the rails, the scent of warm cylinder oil, occasional clouds of steam and the hoarse locomotive whistle. Operating days may vary, and individual vehicles are not always available; check before planning a journey.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Wetzikon, Dürnten, Fischenthal, Hinwil, Bubikon, Wald, Gossau, Bäretswil, Grüningen

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