Our colleague Tanja Blickenstorfer knows the area around Horgen like the back of her hand. She has put together two beautiful gravel bike routes that you can ride starting from Horgen (or another starting point). One is a slightly easier route that winds between the lake and the lakefront. The other is a slightly more challenging tour that takes you to the lesser-known, unspoiled Sihl.
Both tours are suitable for beginners. There might be a few sections where you have to push your bike, but most of the route is on gravel paths and accessible to everyone. What these tours have in common is that they take you away from the main roads yet still through the heart of our beautiful region.
Route 1: Lake Zurich and Lake Views
This tour is about 30 kilometers long and covers a little over 600 meters of elevation gain. The route starts off flat until Käpfnach, then heads up the first long climb. During the ascent, please pause for a moment and look back: the view stretches across the lake to Bürkliplatz and is breathtaking. You might just find yourself stopping here for your first photo break. After that, the route follows beautiful dirt paths to Samtagern, where the idyllic Sternenweiher pond marks the turning point of the route. After a short section where you’ll need to carry your bike, the path descends rapidly to Richterswil through the Mühlebachtobel valley. Then you climb back up in Wädenswil, past the old castle ruins to the A3 highway. The return journey offers a constant view of Lake Zurich, which lies deep below you on the right.
Download Route 1:
Route 2: The Original Sihl
Our second suggestion is a bit more challenging. Over 1,000 meters of elevation gain are packed into 35 kilometers. If you’re looking for a break from civilization, this is the perfect spot for you. After a rapid descent through Horgenberg, you’ll reach the Sihl. The path winds beautifully along the riverbank; the Sihltalstrasse on the other side is barely noticeable. After Sihlbrugg (Caution: short, steep climb), you’ll ride a few hundred meters on Hirzelstrasse (use the sidewalk). But then the concrete and civilization are behind you. Now comes the best part. On partly open dirt roads and partly somewhat root-covered trails, you’ll follow the Sihl as it grows increasingly wild. Crossing a small bridge, passing through tunnel passages, and continuing past the well-known and highly recommended Sihlmatt restaurant, you keep following the Sihl. The climb to the beautiful Teufenbachweiher (complete with an idyllic barbecue area) also marks your farewell to the magical landscape along the wild Sihl. Now you head back along dirt roads on the ridge—no less attractive—via Schönenberg and Horgenbergweiher to Horgen, where you’ll arrive completely blown away.
Download Route 2:
Top Cycling Routes in the Horgen and Lake Zurich Region
Are you looking for more inspiration for your road bike rides? Here you go:
The top road bike climbs in the Lake Zurich/Lake Sihl region
