The cycling season has definitely been launched. Our staff member Tanja Blickenstorfer knows the area around Horgen like her back pocket. She has put together two beautiful gravelbike routes, which you can ride from Horgen (or another entry point). A slightly easier route that commutes between the lake and the lake panorama. And a more challenging tour that takes you to the unknown, original Sihl.
Both tours are also feasible for beginners. Maybe there are one or the other walking passage, but the majority is on gravel paths and for everyone to ride. What the tours have in common is that they lead you away from the major traffic routes and yet centrally through our beautiful region.
Magnificent dirt roads 
At the wild Sihl On the ridge
Route 1: Lake Zurich and Lake Panorama
This tour is about 30 kilometers long and climbs just over 600 meters of altitude. First you ride flat to Käpfnach, then a first longer slope up. During the ascent please pause for a moment and look back: The view goes over the lake to the Bürkliplatz in Zürich and is breathtaking. It could well be that you are taking a photo stop here for the first time. Afterwards we cross wonderful dirt roads to Samtagern, where the idyllic “Sternenweiher” marks the turning point of the route. After a short walking passage, we head down to Richterswil through the Mühlebachtobel. Afterwards you climb up again in Wädenswil, past the old castle ruins to the A3. Back we go with a steady view of Lake Zurich, which is deep to the right below you.
Download Route 1:
Route 2: Original Sihl
Our second proposal is a little more ambitious. Over 1000 metres of altitude are covered by 35 kilometres. If you are looking for a break from civilization, you will get your bill here. Via Horgenberg you reach the Sihl after a fast descent. The path winds beautifully along the river, the Sihltalstrasse on the other side is hardly perceptible. After Sihlbrugg (watch out: short, steep ascent) you ride a few hundred meters on the Hirzelstrasse (use Trottoir). But then it’s finished with concrete and civilization. Now comes the cream piece. On partly open dirt roads and partly somewhat rooted trails, the increasingly wild Sihl goes along. Over a small bridge, tunnel passages and past the well-known and recommendable restaurant Sihlmatt the route continues further along the Sihl. The ascent to the beautiful Teufenbachweiher (incl. idyllic barbecue area) also marks the farewell to the magical landscape on the wild Sihl. Now it goes via dirt roads on the ridge no less attractively back via Schönenberg and Horgenbergweiher to Horgen, where you arrive completely flashed.
Download Route 2:
Top race road bike routes in the Horgen and Lake Zurich region
Are you also looking for inspiration for your race velo rides? Here we are:
The top road bike climbs in the Zurich/Sihlsee region
