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Top Autumn Family Walks near Zürich — with Fun Activities Along the Way

Updated: Nov 8

No Gondola Needed


Autumn is that in-between season when the high mountain trails close to prepare for winter, and we turn our attention to the lower valleys. It’s the perfect time to explore easy walks that don’t require any gondolas — trails that wind through forests and open fields covered in golden and brown leaves. Many of them are also bike-friendly, so while we walk, our little one often rides a bike alongside. 🍂


To help you plan, we’ve put together a list of our top 7 autumn family walks near Zürich — each with fun activities along the way to keep kids engaged and moving.



OVERVIEW MAP





1. Rugelreise Thurgau Ball Track Trail (TG | CH)


A hike with marble-rolling stations along the trail, set beside a scenic river and forest.


Fitness factor: 2.7 km or 6.3 km trail | 40 m up & 10 m down

Hike type: One-way — return by train

Suitable for: Bikes & off-road strollers

Cost: Free to access the trail — you need to buy a marble (CHF 5–6).


Rugelreise Thurgau Ball Track Trail: Walk Through Video




What Makes It Special:


  • 12 fun marble-rolling stations along the trail

  • Two route options: 2.7 km (5 stations) or 6.3 km (+7 stations)

  • Barbecue spot along the way

  • Easy, mostly flat terrain

  • Beautiful forest and riverside scenery



Things to Consider


  • You’ll need to buy a marble at the starting point — and be careful not to lose it along the way (there are plenty of tricky spots!).

  • There are several purchase points listed in the FAQ on the official website. We found the Marketplace vending machine to be the most convenient.

  • The hike is linear - you need to take a train to go back to the starting point

  • There are no restaurants or shops along the trail, so make sure to bring your own snacks and water.




Practical info:


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  • Starting Point: We recommend starting at Frauenfeld Marktplatz, where you can also buy a marble from the vending machine (it accepts TWINT).



  • Directions: The trail isn’t specifically signposted, but if you follow the Murgweg signs, yellow hiking trail markers, or the occasional Rugelreise signs, it’s easy to find your way.






2. Naturena Frick Sensory Trail  (AG | CH)


A hike with fun play stations and information boards themed around the five senses.


Fitness factor: 3.5 km trail | 60 m up & down

Hike type: Circular

Suitable for: The trail is accessible for off-road strollers and bikes, but due to the elevation changes, biking can be challenging — we wouldn’t recommend it.

Opening: Spring - Autumn

Cost: Free


Naturena Frick Sensory Trail: Walk Through Video




What Makes It Special:


  • 8 fun stations along the trail themed around 5 senses

  • Two barbecue spots along the way

  • Beautiful forest and field scenery

  • Can be combined with Frick Dinosaur Museum



Things to Consider


  • The parking area is quite small, so it’s best to arrive early if you’re visiting on a busy day.

  • There are no restaurants or shops along the trail, so make sure to bring your own snacks and water.

  • In spring and summer, it can be combined with a visit to a nearby adventure farm (limited offerings from November to February)




Practical info:


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  • Starting Point: Begins and ends at the former shooting range in Gipf-Oberfrick



  • Directions: Follow the yellow hiking signs and Naturena Sinnespfad signs.


  • The hike is circular and brings you back to the start / parking.


  • Opening times: Spring - Autumn. Officially it's open until 31st October but it is accessible all year round.

  • Hike map overview





3. Freiämter Legends Trail (Sagenweg) (AG | CH)


A hike with fairy-tale storyboards and themed play stations along the way, plus a scenic forest lake and an animal park.


Fitness factor: 1.6 km themed part, which can be extended to 3.5 km forest walk | 36 m up & 70 m down

Hike type: Back & forth (themed part) or circular (including forest walk)

Suitable for: Bikes & off-road strollers

Cost: Free


Freiämter Legends Trail (Sagenweg): Walk Through Video




What Makes It Special:


  • 12 fairy-tale storyboards (in German) with 12 themed play stations built around them

  • Barbecue spot at the beginning / end of the hike

  • Easy, mostly flat terrain

  • Beautiful forest and stunning forest lake



  • Animal Park (Tierpark) Waltenschwil at the beginning / end of the hike. There’s an animal food vending machine (bring 2 CHF) where you can buy special feed for the animals.


Things to Consider


  • The themed section starts at the animal park and is an out-and-back: 800 m each way (+ short access from parking) — about 2 km total - more info

  • You can extend to a 3.5 km loop that passes a beautiful mountain lake - more info

  • No restaurants or shops along the trail




Practical info:


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  • Starting Point: We recommend doing the hike in reverse, starting from the Waltenschwil parking or bus stop — the trail is clearly signposted from there.



  • Directions: Follow the Sagenweg / Freiämterweg signs to reach the themed section. After completing it, continue using our Outdooractive map to follow the circular loop around the lake.


  • Opening times: All year





4. Wali's Magic Forest (SG | CH)


A hike telling the story of Wali the dragon who sets off with her friend Amdo to find her grandmother in the forest, with beautiful views of Lake Walensee.


Fitness factor: 2 km trail | 131 m up and down

Hike type:The first part goes back and forth, then leads into a circular, themed section

Suitable for: No bikes, no strollers

Cost: Free


Wali’s Magic Forest: Walk Through Video




What Makes It Special:


  • Crystal-hunting adventure: ask kids to help Grandma the dragon find her lost crystals.

  • 8 interactive play stations with mixed play zones: giant memory game, Connect Four, storytelling station with music, marble run.

  • Possible goat sightings along the trail.

  • Great forest setting: mostly shaded trail, roots and slight climb make it feel adventurous for kids.

  • BBQ/picnic spot at the highest point with stunning lake/valley views



  • Ends at a lakeside playground by Walensee with climbing, balancing, swings & a gazebo for snacks.


Things to Consider


  • The path starts with a steep section and lots of stairs — it’s not stroller-friendly, so best for kids who are comfortable walking uphill


Practical info:


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  • Get the map: You can obtain the hike map from the Tourist Information Office in Amden, local businesses, or download it from amden-weesen.ch.


  • Starting Point: Weesen town - the trail is indicated from here







5. Freddy Fratzel Adventure Trail in Wildberg (ZH | CH)


A hike with play stations telling the story of Freddy the centipede, who lost his favourite sock.


Fitness factor: ca. 5.4 km | c. 200 m up and down

Hike type: Circular

Suitable for: The path is off-road stroller-friendly and suitable for bikes, but due to the significant elevation change we wouldn’t recommend it for younger riders

Cost: Free


Freddy Fratzel Adventure Trail Walk Through Video




What Makes It Special:


  • Themed around Freddy the centipede, who lost his favourite red-yellow-orange striped sock

  • 10 interactive play stations along the loop walk

  • Picnic / BBQ spot with wood provided

  • Two self-service shops along the way selling local snacks and treats.



Things to Consider


  • No restaurants along the way

  • Long stretches between play stations

  • A short section follows a road with occasional cars passing by

  • Some parts have roots sticking out — watch your step




Practical info:


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6. Honey Trail (Honigweg Rünenberg) (BL | CH)


A hike with play and learning stations about honey.


Fitness factor: ca. 3.5 km | c. 25 m up and down

Hike type: Circular

Suitable for: Off-road strollers and bikes

Cost: Free


Honey Trail (Honigweg Rünenberg) Walk Through Video




What Makes It Special:


  • A treasure hunt called Das Gold der Bienen (The Bees' Gold), with 12 quiz stations spread out along the way.

  • Great way to learn about bees and the honey-making process while staying outdoors

  • Nice barbecue spots

  • Easy trail that can be done with a bike

  • Cute little store to buy honey at the end




Things to Consider


  • If you want to take part in the treasure hunt, you need to print the map before the hike (none available on site)

  • Treasure hunt quiz is in German and best suited for kids aged 6+, though younger kids can still enjoy it with help

  • No restaurants or shops along the trail



Practical info:


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7. Seebachtal Sensory Trail (TG | CH)


A hike with discovery stations about senses


Fitness factor: ca. 3.7 km | c. 40 m up and down

Hike type: Circular

Suitable for: Suitable for off-road strollers and bikes — just note one field section can be tricky for younger riders.

Cost: Free


Seebachtal Sensory Trail Walk Through Video




What Makes It Special:


  • Two mini loops with 8 sensory stations

  • Option to choose a shorter or longer route

  • Scenic mix of forest and open field paths



Things to Consider


  • Officially closes 31 October, but sensory stations remain accessible year-round

  • No restaurants or shops along the trail


Practical info:


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  • Arrival by car: Parking is a 5-minute walk from the trail start, located on the opposite side of Frauenfeldstrasse. (PARKING).


  • Arrival by public transport: Take the train to Frauenfeld and the bus to Hüttwilen, Hörnliwald.


  • Follow the Naturena Sinnespfad





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