wellness
Zurich Locals Reveal Hidden Forest Paths Tourists Never Find
Zurich residents turn to lesser-known forest paths in northern and eastern districts for daily fitness away from packed lakefront routes.
How we reported this
City records show 185,000 Zurich residents logged workouts on public trails in the first half of 2026, with a growing share choosing routes far from the main lake promenade and Uetliberg summit path.
Switzerland’s emphasis on preventive care through its mandatory health insurance system has pushed more residents outdoors this summer as average temperatures climbed above 28 degrees Celsius on 12 days since June. Public sport facilities run by the city have recorded steady increases in trail maintenance requests from neighbourhood groups in Kreis 11 and Kreis 7.
Quiet routes off Birchstrasse and through Fluntern
One stretch begins at the end of Birchstrasse in Oerlikon, where a narrow entrance between apartment blocks leads into the Adlisberg woodland managed by Grün Stadt Zürich. The path follows an old service road for 2.8 kilometres before linking to unmarked deer tracks that climb toward the water tower on Zürichberg. Another option starts behind the Fluntern cemetery on Zürichbergstrasse and winds through mixed beech and fir stands for 4 kilometres before reaching the small clearing at Toblerstrasse 45.
Both routes stay within the city limits yet receive little mention in tourist apps. Local running clubs based at Sportanlage Oerlikon use the Birchstrasse entrance for Wednesday evening group sessions that finish at the public drinking fountain near the water tower.
Usage data and access details
A 2025 Grün Stadt Zürich report counted 47,000 individual entries on the Adlisberg section between January and May, up 12 percent from the same period in 2023. All trails remain free to enter, though the city asks visitors to respect seasonal closures posted at trailheads after heavy rain. Tram line 11 stops at Oerlikon Bahnhof North, five minutes’ walk from the Birchstrasse entrance, while bus 33 reaches the Fluntern cemetery stop directly.
Residents planning a first visit can check the current condition board at the Sportanlage Oerlikon reception before heading out. The same board lists weekly volunteer clean-up dates organised by the neighbourhood association.