Opening of the fourth stage of Via Natura
New hiking route for nature lovers
The fourth stage of the Via Natura was opened this afternoon in the Wildnispark Zurich. Via Natura is an initiative of the Zurich hiking trails and leads through the most beautiful natural landscapes in the canton. The latest section of this unique hiking trail leads from the Silberweide nature station to the Sihlwald, a park of national importance.
The annual wilderness day took place in Sihlwald this afternoon. The theme was "25 years of wild Sihlwald". A special and lasting highlight of the program was the opening of the fourth stage of the Via Natura. The Via Natura connects the nature centers in the canton of Zurich and leads through the canton's most beautiful landscapes. The new route of the unique hiking trail leads from the Silberweide nature station to the visitor center of the Wildnispark Zurich in Sihlwald. Sihlwald has been one of the twenty parks of national importance since 2010.
The Via Natura offers around 200 kilometers of varied nature experiences - from moors and forests to lakes and river landscapes. The new stage leads past special places such as the Grüningen Botanical Garden, the Au peninsula and the mountain pond in Horgen. Exciting information on natural features along the way can be accessed via QR codes.
Special audio trail for children
A section of the new stage has also been equipped with an audio trail for children: The entertaining story of Hiky, the mascot of the Zurich hiking trails, accompanies them on the route from Horgen to Sihlwald. Together with forest dwellers, Hiky searches for his lost binoculars. An accompanying booklet with coloring pages and puzzles is available at the visitor center of the Wildnisapark Zurich in Sihlwald or online. Anyone who finds the solution word will receive a small gift at the visitor center.
The wilderness day attracted numerous guests and offered a colorful family program with activities, information stands and a lecture by forest ecologist Thibault Lachat in addition to the opening. Special thanks went to Zürcher Kantonalbank, which has been the main sponsor of both institutions for many years.
The new stage marks another milestone for Via Natura and the experience of nature in the canton of Zurich. Of the total of around 200 kilometers, the fourth stage marks 175 kilometers of the circular hiking trail. It connects the nature centers BirdLife-Naturzentrum Neeracherried, Naturzentrum Thurauen, Naturzentrum Pfäffikersee, Naturstation Silberweide and the Wildnisaprk Zurich. The last stage is scheduled to open next summer. This route will run from the Wildnisapark Zurich back to the starting point of Via Natura, the BirdLife Nature Center Neeracherried.
Further information can be found at
- vianatura.zuerich
- zuercher-wanderwege.ch
- Download link pictures (to follow)
Further information
- Opening of the 4th stage of Via Natura: Flavian Kühne, Managing Director Zürcher Wanderwege, phone 044 771 33 55, flavian.kuehne@zuercher-wanderwege.ch
- 25 years of wild Sihlwald: Mirella Wepf, Project Manager Communications, Wildnispark Zurich, phone 044 722 55 24, mirella.wepf@wildnispark.ch
