Family friendly themed hike, free of charge, some ascent and descent, with 9 play stations along the way. Suitable for off-road strollers.
Wildberg | district of Pfäffikon (Canton Zürich, Switzerland).
The "it" factor
What makes it special:
Free access
Themed around Freddy the centipede, who lost his favourite sock
9 play stations along the way
Two self service shops with local products along the way
Picnic spot with wood provided
Off-road stroller friendly
What needs to be considered:
No restaurants along the way
Long stretches between play stations
A short section follows a road with occasional cars passing by
Don't feel like reading? Watch a video instead!
The fun factor
The Freddy Fratzel Adventure Trail is a family hike near Zürich, accessible directly from a parking lot after a short, signposted walk through the village. The trail is themed around Freddy, a charming centipede, and is easy to navigate by following signs featuring our friendly Freddy. While these signs are abundant and strategically placed, they might not always be immediately visible, so keep a keen eye out for them. Despite our usual tendency to get lost, we had no issues here finding our way.
The Freddy Fratzel Adventure Trail is a circular route in the valley, requiring no gondola access. It features 9 activity stations (with station 6 currently closed and detoured). The trail winds through forests and fields, with a brief road section clearly marked with signs reminding hikers to hold children's hands. The detour for station 6 is well-indicated, ensuring a smooth hike.
Although the hike is officially recommended for children aged 3 and up, we think it’s best suited for kids who are comfortable walking longer distances. The trail is over 5 km long, with fun activity stations spread out along the way. However, there are longer stretches without any activities, which might be challenging for some children.
To make the journey easier with younger kids, you might consider bringing an off-road stroller or bike carriage used as a stroller, as we saw some families doing. This way, everyone can enjoy the adventure comfortably.
Here are our top 4 Fun Factors of Freddy Fratzel Adventure Trail in Wildberg
1. Immerse yourself in Freddy's story
The Freddy Fratzel adventure hike revolves around Freddy, a cute centipede with a sock for each of his many feet. But today, Freddy faces a problem: his favorite red, yellow, and orange striped sock is missing from his third foot! This sock holds a special place in Freddy's heart, adorning his favorite foot. Determined to find it, Freddy sets out on a quest, eager to reunite with his beloved sock. As you journey through the hike, you'll encounter stations that follow Freddy's quest fo find his sock. The story is available online or at the hike's start. It is only in German but can be easily translated with Google.
While the hike can be enjoyed without delving into Freddy's story, immersing yourself in his tale adds another layer to the adventure.
2. Discover Freddy Fratzel’s fun activity stations
Along the way there are 10 activity stations, with one being currently closed. The stations are fun and engaging, but as they are spread across over 5 km and some of them are quite close to each other, please note there are some stretches without any stations. So we would recommend this hike for kids that can be motivated to walk longer stretches without stations or for those using off-road strollers to put kids into when they have enough of walking.
The stations are:
Touch Wall: Put your hand in the hole and guess what is inside.
Balance Beam: Walk over a tree log with branches sticking out.
Barefoot Path: Feel the natural ground underfoot around the barbecue spot.
Pine Cone Slide: Listen and catch pine cones as they slide down and guess which hole they will get out.
Hidden Object Game: Search for hidden items in a detailed illustration.
Suspension Bridge: Small bridge to walk across.
Sock Memory Game: Find and match pairs of socks in a fun memory challenge.
Sock Finding Station: Help Freddy in the final quest to find his missing sock.
Throwing Wall: Test your throwing skills.
3. Solve a quiz along the trail
For slightly older kids and their parents, there's an added layer of fun with a quiz! At the starting post, you can pick up a crossword template to use throughout your hike. At each activity station, you'll find a card with a question posted (in German only). These questions are designed to be simple yet engaging, focusing on the flora and fauna of the mountains.
For instance, you might be asked to identify the correct name for a female capricorn or to guess how fast a Snow Bunny can run. This quiz not only makes the hike more interactive but also provides an educational twist.
4. Hit the playground
Right next to the parking lot, there's a school playground available for use outside of school hours. It's a perfect spot for kids to play and unwind, adding a fun element to the adventure.
The fitness factor
The trail starts with a well indicated short walk through the village to the beginning of the hike. It then meanders through fields and shaded forests, featuring an elevation change of 198 meters. While the majority of the trail is easy, the beginning and a small section towards the end are steeper and require a bit more effort. The path is a mix of gravel roads, forest trails with exposed roots, and some paved sections, making it suitable for off-road strollers.
Occasionally throughout the hike, there are stunning views of the fields with mountains visible in the background.
The food factor
Just next to the 4th station, known as Barefoot Path, there is a charming forest barbecue spot. This area is well-equipped with wood provided, making it an ideal place to take a break and enjoy a meal amidst the natural surroundings.
There are also two self-service local shops along the Freddy Fratzel Adventure Trail, selling local products. The first shop, Dorfmärt Wildberg, is located just next to the parking, making it a great spot to grab water, snacks, or take home some local cheeses and sausages.
Towards the end of the hike, in Ehrikon, there is a second self service shop with a selection of ice creams, snacks a coffee machine, and some crayons and blank paper for kids to draw. It’s a perfect place to take a break and recharge, especially when kids need a little extra motivation to finish the hike.
The value factor
The best part? It's absolutely free! No need for a gondola ticket; you can access this hike directly from the parking lot.
Freddy Fratzel Adventure Trail | Practical info
Arrival by car: Parking address - Hauptstrasse 11, 8489 Wildberg
Arrival by public transport: Wildberg, Alte Post Bus Stop (825 bus Pfäffikon - Turbenthal)
Start & end: The path is indicated from Wildberg parking but the main route starts here.
Follow the Freddy Fratzel signs with a cute centipede
Ascent / Descent: 198 m
Length: ca. 5.4 km
Duration: 2-4 hours (including exploring play stations)
MAPS
Start point, local shop and school playground
Touch Wall: Put your hand in the hole and guess what is inside.
Balance Beam: Walk over a tree log with branches sticking out
Barefoot Path & Barbecue spot: Feel the natural ground underfoot around the barbecue spot.
Pine Cone Slide: Listen and catch pine cones as they slide down and guess which hole they will get out
Station currently skipped
Hidden Object Game: Search for hidden items in a detailed illustration.
Suspension Bridge: Small bridge to walk across
Sock Memory Game: Find and match pairs of socks in a fun memory challenge.
Bonus in Ehrikon: Beckästübli, local self service shop with ice cream
10. Sock Finding Station: Help Freddy in the final quest to find his missing sock.
11. Throwing Wall: Test your throwing skills
