Planet Trail

The Planet Trail on the Uetliberg turns a ridge walk above Zurich into a lesson in astronomy. Along the crest between the summit area of Uto Kulm and the viewpoint of Felsenegg, markers represent the Sun and the planets of the solar system, spaced out in proportion to their real distances. The idea is simple and effective: instead of looking at a diagram in a book, walkers cover the distances with their own feet and discover how empty space really is. The planets themselves are tiny, while the gaps between them stretch on and on, and the contrast surprises most people.

The walk starts near the top of the mountain, which is reached by the suburban train from Zurich main station and a short climb on foot. From there the path follows the ridge through beech woods, with openings in the trees that give glimpses of the lake and the city. Each planet has its own station with a plaque or panel that explains what it is made of, how big it is, how long a day and a year last there and what space missions have found. The inner planets lie close together near the start, while the outer ones are far apart, so the final stations feel like a long, quiet journey away from everything.

The terrain is easy. The path is broad and well maintained, with gentle gradients, so it suits families, and pushchairs can manage most stretches in dry weather. Children often enjoy racing from planet to planet, and the markers make a natural game, especially when parents challenge them to guess what the next distance will be. The walk is free, and there is no need to book. Wear comfortable shoes, because tree roots and wet leaves can make some stretches slippery, and bring water.

Views are a bonus. Along the ridge the trees open at several points, giving views north over Zurich and the lake, and south over the hills of the Albis toward the Alps on clear days. At Felsenegg, the end of the trail, a restaurant and a cable car allow a return to the valley at Adliswil, so the walk can be arranged as a one-way route.

The trail is open all year round, although snow and ice can make it less pleasant in winter, and fog sometimes hides the view in autumn. It combines well with a visit to the summit tower and the nature reserve on the slope below.