The Zones in Sihlwald

What distinguishes the Nature Discovery Zone from the Core Zone?

The Sihlwald is one of the twenty parks of national importance. In 2010, it was awarded the "Nature Discovery Park" label by the federal government. A Nature Discovery Park consists of a strictly protected Core Zone and a Nature Discovery Zone, providing an undisturbed habitat for numerous animal, fungal and plant species while giving visitors the opportunity to experience wild nature up close. So-called process protection applies in both zones: nature is allowed to develop undisturbed and dynamically and humans have not intervened for 25 years.

Nature Discovery Zone

In the Nature Discovery Zone, which covers around 4.8 square kilometers in the Sihlwald, the forest can be actively explored. You can pick wild garlic in spring, blackberries in summer and collect mushrooms in fall. You can also explore the forest off the beaten track. Barbecuing is permitted at marked fireplaces.

There are also a few open areas that are designated as Nature Conservation or Species Promotion Zones. As the names suggest, these zones are specifically designed to promote certain species. For this reason, it is compulsory to stay on the paths.

Core Zone

In other parts of the forest, you will repeatedly come across the word "Kernzone" spray-painted on numerous tree trunks.

You are not allowed to leave the paths in this zone. Making fires and collecting mushrooms, plants and other natural materials is prohibited here. This provides red deer, ground-nesting birds and rare species such as the abraeus parvulus beetle with a valuable habitat and a safe, quiet retreat.

The core zone covers a total of around 4.4 square kilometers.

On the move with caution

As the Sihlwald has not been commerically used for 25 years, there are significantly more old, weakened or even dead trees here. This is a big plus for biodiversity – more than 6000 species of animals, fungi and plants in Switzerland depend on dead wood. For people, however, this means keeping their eyes open when hiking or resting. Leaning trees can fall over and dead branches can come loose from the treetops -–especially in windy weather conditions.