Route: Zürich
Area: Switzerland
Date of walk: 14th January 2019
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 2.5 miles
Ascent: 100 feet
Weather: Sunshine and clouds
On the way to our walking holiday in the Engadine Valley we stayed overnight in Zürich at the excellent Hotel Adler
After eating our body weight in Swiss cheese at the hotel’s Chuchi Restaurant the night before we were in need of some exercise. We only had an hour or so to spare before catching our train to the Engadine, but this left us with enough time for a short exploration of the Old Town
Zürich is situated at the northern end of Lake Zürich, with its centre split by the River Limmat. It is the largest city in Switzerland and famous for its banking industry, cleanliness (which we can attest to – we didn’t see a scrap of litter), and its efficient public transport system
After leaving the hotel we wandered along the winding cobbled streets of the Old Town, following a route recommended by our travel company, Inntravel. The area is pedestrianised and is noted for its abundance of fountains, 1,000 or more, all with clean drinking water. We did some window shopping as we went along, peering into the windows of the many tempting (but expensive) shops along the way
Part of our route took us along the banks of the River Limmat, and this was perhaps the scenic highlight of the walk
Unfortunately there was no time to visit any of the historic buildings which we passed, and we only managed to scrape the surface of this beautiful city, but we hope to return one day for a longer visit
After completing our walk we continued to the railway station and caught the train to our final destination, Guarda. We’d come in search of snow, read on to see if we found any…
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The night of our arrival in Zürich, and a quick wander in the rain around the cobbled streets near the hotel
Next morning, with an hour or so before our train to Guarda was due to depart, we set off on another quick walk around the old town
Many of the streets in the old town are pedestrianised...
Neumarkt, looking towards the medieval Grimmenturm Tower
One of the many fountains in the city where clean drinking water is provided free of charge
We head down to the River Limmat...
The tram network forms the backbone of public transport within the city
Fraumünster Church on the west bank of the River Limmat - the church was built from the middle 9th century and is renowned for the glass windows by Chagall and Giacometti
Looking along the Limmat
St Peter's, the oldest parish church in Zürich, which has the largest clock face in Europe
The Grossmünster ("great minster"), a Romansque-style Protestant church, notable for its unusual twin towers
Looking back along the river to Fraumünster Church
We head uphill towards Lindenhof Park for a wider view over the city
View of the city centre from Lindenhof Park
The Grossmünster again, right of picture
We head back down to the centre...
Time for some window shopping but thankfully not enough time to go inside and shop...
We cross back over the Münsterbrücke and pass by the Grossmünster again
Lovely light as we walk back along the bank of the River Limmat, enjoying more views of St Peter's and Fraumünster Church...
The end of a short but very enjoyable walk, and we must head to the railway station without further ado...
A couple of hours later, we arrive at the Hotel Meisser in Guarda, and thanks to the owner Benno for picking us up from Guarda Station, a 40 minute walk from the hotel (a bus transfer is normally available - but not in today's conditions)
We are now 1,000 feet above the valley floor. We check into the hotel, and Benno informs us that all walking paths are closed and that this is the heaviest snowfall in the village for over 20 years
We decide to explore the village, one of the most beautiful in Switzerland - the deep snow makes for some magical scenes...
The houses have remained untouched for centuries, apart from necessary maintenance work...
Some of the attractive doors ...
...and windows...
Some street scenes...
We walk past the village church
We return to the Hotel Meisser, passing by the village library...
... which is closed today
I wonder what tomorrow will have in store?...
