Felsenegg Cable Car

The Felsenegg is the quiet twin of the Uetliberg, Zurich's home mountain, at the southern end of the same wooded ridge, the Albis, and the cable car that climbs to it is one of the simplest and most rewarding short excursions from the city. From the Sihl valley town of Adliswil, a ten-minute walk from the train station, a small cabin glides up to the mountain station at about 800 metres in around five minutes, and you step out onto a meadow terrace with a wide view over Lake Zurich, the city, the Sihl valley and, on clear days, the long chain of the Alps from the Saentis in the east to the peaks of the Bernese Oberland. The Restaurant Felsenegg, beside the station, has a terrace with that view and serves Swiss food; there is space for children to play and benches for a picnic. From the top, the most popular plan is the Planet Trail, the Planetenweg, a wide, well-marked forest path along the ridge to the Uetliberg, about two hours on foot, on which a scale model of the solar system is laid out, with the planets placed at their proportional distances and information boards along the way, so walking the trail gives a feel for the size of space as well as the views. At the Uetliberg end, the observation tower and restaurants wait, and the Uetliberg railway takes you back down to the city. The cable car is part of the Zurich public transport network, the ZVV, and the Zurich Card covers it. In autumn and winter, the Felsenegg often rises above the fog that settles on the lake and the city, so you can climb from grey into sunshine, one of the best reasons to go in the cold months. A practical note for late 2026: the SZU line between Zurich main station and Selnau is closed until the timetable change on 13 December 2026, so trains to Adliswil and the Uetliberg start from Selnau, a twelve-minute walk or short tram ride from the main station.

How to do it: walk or take a tram to Zurich Selnau (until 12 December 2026; after that, trains run again from the main station), take the train to Adliswil, walk ten minutes to the cable car and ride up. Have coffee or lunch on the terrace, then walk the Planet Trail to the Uetliberg and return by the Uetliberg railway. The whole loop takes about four hours at an easy pace. If you prefer not to walk, simply ride the cable car up and down and enjoy the view; it is an easy outing for all ages. For a guided version, Tiqets sells a half-day trip combining a ferry ride on Lake Zurich with the Felsenegg cable car.

Winter tips: the trail is mostly through forest and can be muddy or icy after snow, so wear sturdy shoes, and check the weather and fog forecasts: on fog days, the lake is grey but the ridge is often bright. Days are short in winter, so start by late morning to finish the walk in daylight. The restaurant may have reduced hours in the low season; check before you go.

Who it suits: families, with the solar system to count off along the trail; couples looking for a relaxed half-day with a view; and anyone with a Zurich Card or travel pass who wants nature without a long journey. It is far less crowded than the Uetliberg and makes a perfect pairing with it.