Uto Kulm Wall

Uto Kulm is the name given to the summit complex of the Uetliberg, the long wooded ridge that rises to a little over 870 metres directly above Zurich. The Uetliberg is the city's own mountain, and the summit has been a destination for day trips since the railway arrived in the nineteenth century, when Zurich families began to ride up on Sundays for the air and the view. The hotel and restaurant that give the place its name stand just below the highest point, and a lookout tower rising above the trees adds extra height for the panorama.

The view is the reason for the climb. Zurich lies spread out below, with the long blue shape of the lake stretching toward the south-east and the Limmat valley running north. Beyond the lake the Alps stand in a long line, from the peaks of eastern Switzerland to the Bernese giants, when the air is clear. On days when low fog covers the plateau, the Uetliberg rises above it into bright sunshine, and the city disappears under a white sea, a spectacle that Zurich residents treasure. Weather and visibility change from hour to hour, so a look at the forecast or the webcam is worthwhile before setting out.

Getting there is straightforward. The Uetliberg railway runs from Zurich main station in about twenty minutes to the terminus just below the summit, and from there a short, steep walk leads to the top. Many people prefer to walk all the way up from the city, taking forest trails that climb steadily through beech wood. Others come on bicycles or on foot along the ridge from neighbouring points. The summit area is crowded on sunny weekends and quieter during the week.

From the top, the ridge is laced with paths. The Planet Trail follows the crest and presents the solar system as a scale model, with markers for each planet placed along the way, and it is a good walk for families. Other routes lead down to the Sihl valley or to the Albis ridge, and the nature reserve of the Fallätsche lies on the slope below. In winter, snow turns the ridge into a place for walking and sledging when conditions allow.

Bring warm clothes even in summer, since the wind at the summit can be cool.