Männedorf on Lake Zurich: Trails and Culture

Männedorf lies on the eastern shore of Lake Zurich, in the area known as the Gold Coast, and belongs to the Meilen district. The municipality stretches along the southern slope of the Pfannenstiel from the lakeshore to Stäfner Türli; its terraces run parallel to the Pfannenstiel ridge. Farmland and forest are also part of the municipality, and the upper part is now considered a local recreation area. This provides a useful guide when planning a stay: public access to the lake and walking trails in the nearby forest and vineyards are part of the local character, as are the higher areas of the Pfannenstiel.

By the lake, on trails and outdoors

Recreational facilities in Männedorf include various playgrounds and fire pits. They complement access to the lake and the walking trails, offering further ways to spend time outdoors. Forest and farmland shape the municipality; local recreation is a particular focus in the upper part. If you plan your stay around your interests, you can choose between the lakeshore, walking routes in the forest and vineyards, and the places mentioned for taking a break outdoors.

Strandbad Sonnenfeld is located right on Lake Zurich. You can reach it by taking the S-Bahn to Männedorf and then the bus to the “Sonnenfeld” stop. Check the current timetable before travelling. Hasenacker indoor swimming pool has diving boards, a non-swimmer area and a children’s paddling pool. It also offers a Tarzan climbing course, a virtual diving experience and a swimming pool restaurant.

Männedorf indoor swimming pool is wheelchair-accessible and has a mobile passenger lift to help people get in and out of the swimming pools. It also offers a virtual reality experience: you can embark on an odyssey into space or a diving safari. The diving safari takes place in a separately cordoned-off non-swimmer area under the supervision of the lifeguard. The facilities described therefore differ not only in their location by the lake or indoors, but also in the swimming and activity options they offer.

Interactive trails and culture

“Manno and the Missing Glass Crystal” is an interactive adventure trail near Hotel Boldern in Männedorf. At around 2 kilometres long, it combines nature, puzzles and educational activities. Expedition TILIA is another interactive circular trail; it runs along Boldernstrasse 83 and is around 1,000 metres long. The comparison in length offers a useful guide: TILIA is shorter than the “Manno and the Missing Glass Crystal” trail. Check whether both activities are available before travelling.

Kino Wildenmann screens a current programme focusing on outstanding films beyond the blockbuster mainstream. As the film programme changes, it is worth checking the current listings. Kulturschüür offers a continually expanding virtual exhibition on the history of shipping on Lake Zurich. The building itself also has a long history: its story began more than 500 years ago as a barn belonging to a smallholder’s house. Following extensive renovation and conversion, it continued in March 2009 as Kulturschüür.

Since 1989, Kulturkreis Männedorf has organised a varied annual programme. Events are open to members and anyone interested; individual dates vary. There are also five historical walks through Männedorf exploring the town’s history. Villa Alma and its outbuildings on Seestrasse are also listed as Swiss cultural property of national importance; its KGS number is 7547.

The traditional Männedörfler Chilbi takes place in mid-July, from Friday to Sunday. Venues include the Mittelwies area, with its park-and-ride facility, gravel car park and Mittelwiesstrasse, as well as Leueplatz by Zentrum Leue. The annual dates change, so check the dates for your travel period. The Leuemarkt offers products from local and regional producers, including bread and baked goods, dairy products, cheese, meat products, wine and other specialities.

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

Back to the regional travel overview: Meilen.