Förch: Hiking at Pfannenstiel and in Küsnacht Gorge

Förch is a good choice for a stay that includes hiking, cycling or cross-country skiing in winter. Forch railway station is accessible from Zurich on the Forchbahn and is also a starting point for excursions on foot, by bike and, in winter, on cross-country skis. The red-and-beige Forchbahn «Frieda» travels from Zurich Stadelhofen to rural Forch in about 20 minutes. This lets you combine your journey by train with the start of a tour. For routes that end in Meilen, you can return by boat or S-Bahn; check the timetable in advance.

Hikes between viewpoints and gorges

On the Pfannenstiel Trail from Forch to Meilen, the route leads from Forch railway station to the edge of the forest. From there, the view extends across Lake Greifensee to the Zurich Oberland. Further along Pfannenstiel, the landscape opens up, with views across lakes and gently rolling hills. Just before the Hochwacht restaurant stands an observation tower about 35 metres high; its platform is 33 metres above the ground and offers views as far as Lake Zurich and the Swiss Alps. The route passes through Toggwil and Meilen Gorge, goes by the ruins of Friedberg Castle and ends in Meilen. It therefore combines viewpoints with a gorge and castle ruins. You can return from Meilen by boat or S-Bahn.

A hike with a different character leads from Forch via Kaltenstein, Wangen and Tobelmüli through Küsnacht Gorge, past Dragon’s Cave and the ruins of Wulp Castle, and on via Alexanderstein to Küsnacht Horn. It is described as a two-hour hike, with 70 metres of ascent and 330 metres of descent. Along the way, follow the signposts, walk beneath the main road to the hamlet of Wangen, then descend to the stream via a total of 70 steps. The ruins of Wulp Castle stand on a hill that was already inhabited in the Late Bronze Age and later used by the Romans as a stronghold. Alexanderstein is a five-metre-high erratic boulder from the Ice Age, named after geologist Alexander Wettstein. Downstream, a geology trail featuring smaller erratic boulders runs through Küsnacht Gorge. There is a fire pit by the castle ruins, where you can take a break in good weather.

More excursions, depending on the season

The Ringo trip through Küsnacht Gorge is another option: take the Forchbahn «Frieda» to Forch, then continue through the green Küsnacht Gorge. The trip takes four to five hours in total, including two hours on foot; the route is suitable for strollers. This duration distinguishes the Ringo trip from the two-hour hike to Küsnacht Horn: they are two different offers, even though both include Küsnacht Gorge. Free brochures about the Ringo trip are available at Forch station; before your visit, briefly check whether copies are available.

For a cycling tour, a route leads over Pfannenstiel to Lake Lützelsee, with continuous views of Lake Zurich along the way. In winter, the Guldenen cross-country ski trail is an option if there is enough snow: it is 30 kilometres long and can be used for classic or skating-style skiing. The upper section is considered more snow-reliable and is usually in better condition than the lower section. Snowfall and trail preparation affect seasonal conditions.

Village character and history

The hamlet of Forch itself offers a different perspective from the excursion routes. Its village character is shaped by roof ridges running parallel to the roads; a binding inventory for the authorities protects the village’s heritage. The area around the Forch War Memorial is designated as a protected area and divided into three zones. Near Trichtenhausen is a mill about 500 years old, accessible via the hiking route from Forch to Zurich Burgwies. As well as routes and landscapes, you can therefore include architectural and local history in your travel plans.

Another hike from Forch leads through Werenbach Gorge, past the Forch Monument and on to the Tram Museum. There are various excursion options for cycling over Pfannenstiel, the route to Meilen and hikes through the gorges; your choice depends on whether you want to focus on viewpoints, nature or historical sites.

For the general travel overview: Küsnacht.