Meilen on Lake Zurich: Ravines, Trails and Local History

In Meilen, trails through ravines and across the Pfannenstiel sit alongside a lakeside promenade, a historic local museum and vineyards on Lake Zurich. The routes range from the shorter trail to Meilen to the 27-kilometre Panoramaweg; in the town itself, you can discover the history and everyday life of the community.

Local history in the old village centre

The Meilen Local History Museum is located on Kirchgasse in the old village centre, in a listed burgher house dating from the 19th century. The museum is about a five-minute walk from the station. Meilen is served by the S6 and S7; the S20 supplements services during peak hours. This makes it easy to combine a museum visit with finding your way around the station.

The museum has four permanent exhibitions on Meilen’s past, alongside changing themed exhibitions. Its collection and archives preserve historically valuable artefacts and document local history. Important for visitors: the exhibition rooms are accessible only by stairs, and there is no lift, so the museum is not wheelchair accessible.

Meilen’s long history of settlement can also be traced through archaeological finds dating back more than 4,000 years, which are associated, among other things, with the Pfyn culture, the Horgen culture and the Early Bronze Age. This offers a view of the town that extends well beyond the burgher house and its exhibitions.

Hikes on the Pfannenstiel

The Pfannenstiel-Weg runs from Forch to Meilen, is 10.6 kilometres long and is rated easy. Along the way, it passes through the Meilemer Tobel, by numerous erratic boulders and a large waterfall on the left-hand side of the ravine, and continues to Friedberg Castle ruins. The castle was originally built around 1200. The ruins’ name and the municipality’s coat of arms are derived from the medieval «von Friedberg» knightly family.

The Hochwacht is also part of this hike: its observation tower offers panoramic views above the treetops. The trail ends in Meilen; you can return by boat or S-Bahn. The Pfannenstiel-Weg is open to the public along its entire length. Check the route details before setting off, especially if you are planning around the distance and difficulty.

The Panoramaweg along the Pfannenstiel is on a different scale: it is around 27 kilometres long and runs from Rehalp in Zurich to Feldbach. Viewpoints offer vistas of Lake Zurich and the Alps, while ravines rich in plant and animal life and historic ruins also define the route. Near Hohenegg in Meilen, it passes a viewpoint with panoramic views. The hike from Feldbach to Meilen is another option in its own right: it is rated easy, is 15.13 kilometres long and passes the Sunnenbach waterfall.

Shorter scenic walks are also possible: a walk over the Vorderer Pfannenstiel to Meilen leads through the protected Rappentobel and then through the wild and romantic Meilemer Tobel. On the hike from Meilen up to the Pfannenstiel, water flows over striking rock formations, and historic stone bridges connect the banks. You can compare the different routes by length, start and finish points, rather than treating them as a single route.

By the lake, among the vineyards and at the market

The lakeside promenade invites you to take a stroll and is right next to the landing stage for the Horgen–Meilen Lake Zurich ferry. From here, the view stretches across Lake Zurich from the Albis range to the Glarus Alps. Those who want to combine the lakeshore with local history will find a different focus here than on trails through ravines and forest.

The Schwarzenbach family is part of the local wine-growing tradition and has cultivated a ten-hectare vineyard near Meilen on Lake Zurich for five generations. A tasting at Schwarzenbach Weinbau lets you follow the grape’s journey from vineyard to cellar to glass. A tour lasts 90 to 120 minutes and is led by a member of the team. Cellar tours and wine tastings are available for groups of up to ten people by advance reservation.

The «Meilemer Wuchemärt» adds to these experiences with fresh produce such as fish, bread, fruit, vegetables and wine. Individual vendors may vary. The market, vineyard and tasting showcase different aspects of local food and wine culture; groups should make the required advance reservation for a tasting.

Events and an adventure trail

The slowUp Zürichsee follows a route of just under 42 kilometres between Zurich, Meilen, Rapperswil-Jona and Schmerikon. During the event, the route is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to cyclists, inline skaters and other non-motorised visitors. In Meilen, there are food stands, bars and other attractions along the route. Check the event dates and the programme for each event in advance.

An app-based adventure trail has been designed for children aged seven to twelve. The circular route starts at Meilen station, takes about three to four hours and is five to seven kilometres long. It is not suitable for pushchairs. As well as hikes and a museum visit, Meilen therefore offers a choice of trails with different themes and formats.

Discover more destinations:

Zumikon, Hombrechtikon, Obermeilen, Küsnacht, Zollikon, Meilen, Männedorf, Herrliberg, Stäfa

For the main travel overview: Zurich.