Along the Crest of the Albis Range between Lake Zug and Lake Zurich

(This post published December 9, 2023)

Saturday March 26, 2016 -- What a beautiful day it was for a 10 km Spring hike across the low mountain range just north of where I live, called the Albiskette. The range separates the valley of Lake Zurich from our Lake Zug, and we had some superb 360 degree views from the lookout tower near the Albis Pass, where we started our hike. Along the way we had a peek at a little fortress ruins on one of the peaks of the range. Altogether: Total ascent was 470 meters, and descent was 715 meters, on this 9-kilometer walk. My feet hurt, not being used to a lot of walking yet! 

From the Albis Pass, a look at the north end of Lake Zurich. The city of Zurich is at the very top end (top left)

Our plan is to walk to Sihlbrugg Dorf (Village), just over 2½ hours, via the look-out tower and the Albishorn restaurant. 

An almost 9-km walk along the crest of the Albis Range. We started at the Albis Pass at about 2:30 p.m., ending in Sihlbrugg at about 6:30 p.m.

The Albis look-out tower with superb 360-degree views!

It was a superb day for the views from the look-out tower. This view is to the south to Lake Zug, with Mount Pilatus on the right, and the Central Alps in the middle, plus the Schwyzer Alps on the left. 

And this view is a panorama view on the east side of the Albis range, to Lake Zurich and the Glarus Alps to the south. 

The look-out platform on the Albis tower

As we continued our 9-km walk across the crest of the Albis range, we often got this view to the south, to Lake Zug. 

There used to be a little fortress up here (Schnabelburg), but now there are only a few short walls remaining

This is all that is left of the Schnabelburg fortress. In the late Middle Ages, the old mule trail from Zurich to central Switzerland passed through here. 

This rock is a marker to show that this is the highest elevation spot on the Albis Range! 915 meters above sea level. 

Here we've reached the restaurant at Albishorn. 

At the top of Mount Albishorn

View to the south and east end of Lake Zurich from the Albishorn restaurant. The snow-covered mountains at the back are the Glarner Alps. 

Close-up view of the Glarus Alps from the Albishorn restaurant

At 4:45 p.m. we are at the Albishorn summit. We've been on our hike for over two hours now! We really took our time getting here.... still have 90 minutes to our destination.

The little town of Oberalbis with the Glarus Alps in the background.

Another grandiose view across the city of Zug and Lake Zug, with Mount Rigi on the left, and Mt. Pilatus on the right. 

From here it's all downhill now

A forested section leading to a farm called Schweikhof

This farm is called Schweikhof. It's already 5:50 p.m., and we still have sunshine!

Another 20 minutes to our bus stop in Sihlbrugg Dorf

What our hike looks like on Google Satellite Maps. We took almost four hours for the 2½-hour hike.