On the Wanderweg around the Pfäffikersee ~ A Sunday Walk in Kanton Zürich

Two men walking on a pathway through tall grass, Pfäffikersee Lake Pfäffikon

The Walkers
Mid-morning on a sunny Sunday is a perfect time for walk around Pfäffikersee (Lake Pfäffikon) in Kanton Zürich.

“You do know, don’t you, that we don’t live in the mountains? Zurich is in the “Low Country!” my friend exclaimed.

We were making plans for our summer visit to their Swiss home, and I was day-dreaming about Johanna Spyri’s Heidi, high-mountain meadows, and hiking in the alps amongst cows and goats with bells on. And, of course, Switzerland is all that (watch this space!), but much of the country is significantly lower down and urbanised.

Kanton Zürich, home to the nation’s largest city, is located in the large plateau north of the Alps, and is well down in the elevation-rankings of Swiss Cantons. The verdant landscape features three decent-sized lakes and several smaller ones; shallow river-valleys with waters heading north to the Rhine; and countless Protestant churches on gently sloping hills dotted with pretty houses.

On one of the last days of our three-week visit this summer, we joined the large number of Swiss holiday-makers, walking briskly with their double-walking-sticks and sturdy boots, and took a walk through the protected grasslands around the third-largest lake in the Canton: the Pfäffikersee – Lake Pfäffikon in English.

Pink Water Lilies, Lake Pfäffikon , Switzerland

Water Lilies
A pond filled with delicate water lilies greets us as we set off on our circumnavigation of the lake.

Yellow diamond-shaped Wanderweg sign, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Wanderweg
All over Switzerland, the direction of the “Wanderweg” or “Walking Path” is well marked.

Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Walkway
Wooden walkways lead over marshy grasslands. Benches are placed at regular intervals.

Explanatory Signboard, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Signboard
The walkways through protected lowlands are well signposted with visitor information. Of course, it is all in German – the official language in the Zürich area.

Fisherman silhouetted against Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Fisherman
Piers lead out over the lake for those who want to fish in the deep waters.

Red Berries on a green tree, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Berries
The trees are heavy with ripe berries.

Birch Tress, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Birch Tress

Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Grasslands
Much of the lake is bordered by grasslands; mountains retreat in the distant mists.

Unripe Pears, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Pears
This is a region of temperate fruits: apples, pears, plums and zwetschen; …

A family Berry Picking behind a fence, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Berry Picking
… and berry farms with strawberries, raspberries, cranberries and blackberries.

Clover, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Clover
The wet ground is rich in nitrogen-fixing clover. One passing walker was lucky enough to find a four-leaf variety!

Young boy fishing from the Pier, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Fishing from the Pier
Fishermen come in all sizes.

People at a designated Swimming area, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Die Badeanstalt
There are areas – complete with changing-rooms and toilets – that are designated for swimmers.

Bicyclists and walkers on a hill, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Outdoor Exercise

Church on a Hill, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Church on the Hill
Another hill, another village (Seegräben), another church.

Gentian, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Gentian

Purple Grass, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Purple Grass

Tiered Waterfall, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Tiered Waterway

Spent Thistles, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Spent Thistles

Purple Wild Meadow Flowers, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Wild Meadow Flowers

Large blond Dog, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Dog
Everywhere we went in Europe, large dogs accompanied their owners.

Kastell Irgenhausen in the distance, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Kastell Irgenhausen
The Kastell Irgenhausen (first mentioned in AD 811) was built by the Romans to secure their trade route through the area.

A couple sitting on a wall of Kastell Irgenhausen, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Kastell Irgenhausen
Today, the ruins are a popular picnic and barbecue site.

Flower Garden and house,, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Flowers in the Garden
Part of the walkway is very close to suburban housing.

a couple on a Bench, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

The Bench
Shady trees and grape vines are everywhere.

A boy with a fishing rod, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Another Young Fisherman

Small boats moored, Lake Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Quiet Waters
At the town of Pfäffikon, boats are moored on the quiet waters.

Text: Prost!

Having walked full circle under the blue skies, we were ready to leave the lake and enjoy a late lunch – knowing we had earned it.

‘Till next time,

Prost!

Pictures: 10August2014

  • Tricia Bates - August 22, 2014 - 2:01 am

    Beautiful photos Ursula, definitely a different Switzerland to what we usually think of.ReplyCancel

    • Ursula - August 22, 2014 - 12:36 pm

      Thanks, Tricia! More to come… 😀ReplyCancel

  • […] Alas, being geographically challenged as I am, I didn’t realise how much of Switzerland is actually the rolling, lake-filled central plateau, or Mittelland. Like two-thirds of the population, this is where our friends have their home: “You do know, don’t you, that we don’t live in the mountains? Zurich is in the “Low Coun… […]ReplyCancel

  • […] Rail Passes and had already enjoyed making extensive use of them to get around the country (eg: Wanderweg around the Pfäffikersee; Balade Des Fontaines, Aigle; Château de Chillon; Schaffhausen and Neuhausen am Rheinfall; […]ReplyCancel

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