Discover Herrliberg on Lake Zurich

Herrliberg lies on the lower right-hand shore of Lake Zurich, on the so-called Gold Coast in the Meilen district. The municipality has a shoreline of around 1.5 km. From the lake, its territory stretches up over five terrain terraces to the Pfannenstiel. This brings together lakeside scenery, hillside slopes and ridges—the different sides of the area that can guide your explorations.

Landscape and natural history

One striking natural feature is the Pflugstein boulder: with around 1000 m³ of visible rock, it is considered the largest erratic boulder in the canton of Zurich. It originates from the Kärpf region in Glarus. Around 15,000 years ago, as the Linth-Rhine Glacier melted, the rock was left behind at an altitude of 560 m. Its origins make the landscape’s glacial history tangible at a specific location.

The Pflugstein also brings together natural and local history. The rock was placed under protection on 1 August 1939. The lime tree standing beside it was planted in 1832 in memory of Ustertag. Thus, a boulder left behind by glacial ice and a later historical commemoration stand side by side in the same place.

Another historical feature is the cup-marked stone. It was found in 1850 at the end of the ravine of the Wetzwiler Chapfbach stream, at an altitude of 640 m, and has thirteen bowl-shaped depressions. Today, it is located at the southeast corner of the Zehntenscheune and is on loan from the Swiss National Museum in Zurich. The findspot and its present location are therefore different; check the location in advance if you want to seek out the stone specifically.

Buildings and local history

Tal Church brings together architectural history from different periods. It was completed in 1687 as a larger church on the site of an earlier building. A baptismal font dating from 1629 has been preserved inside. The 45 m-high church tower is another distinctive feature of the complex. These dates place the older furnishing within the history of the later church building.

The Vogtei also offers a glimpse into Herrliberg’s architectural history: its oldest part is a square cellar dating from the 13th century, with a Gothic window that has been preserved. Agriculture, once significant, and viticulture, which grew in importance in the 19th century, provide another historical perspective. This describes a development in the past, not what the area offers today.

The hamlet of Wetzwil lies high above the lake and belongs to the municipality of Herrliberg. Together with the route from the lake, over the terrain terraces and up to the Pfannenstiel, it illustrates that Herrliberg is shaped not only by its lakeshore but also by its higher-lying districts.

Panoramic trail, culture and getting there

In Herrliberg, the “Panoramaweg Zürichsee” runs from the Kittenmühle via Biswind, Tambel and Chleeweid to Schönhölzli. From there, it continues via Buech and Schmideneich to Meilen. On the terrain terrace and along the edge of the slope, the trail offers panoramic views of the landscape, lake and mountains. The route therefore focuses on views of the surrounding landscape. As trail conditions can change, it is advisable to check the latest information before setting out.

The Kulturkreis Herrliberg organizes cultural events on behalf of the municipality. Its season begins toward the end of October and runs through to spring of the following year. The program usually comprises seven performances included in a subscription and one children’s performance. If you would like to combine your stay with an event, check the current dates in advance.

Herrliberg is also a stop served by the Lake Zurich Navigation Company (ZSG); timetable and map information is available for the stop. The walk from the railway station to Herrliberg boat station is about 350 m. The boat timetable is essential for planning your journey, so it is worth checking the information before you travel. When choosing where to stay, you can then consider whether the panoramic trail, the architectural and local history, or a boat trip on Lake Zurich is most important for your plans.

Discover more destinations: Küsnacht, Männedorf, Zumikon, Meilen, Zollikon, Hombrechtikon, Stäfa, Obermeilen.

Back to the main travel overview: Meilen.