Of further interest to us is that this is a stretch we often travel by train from Zug to Zurich, but the train passes through two tunnels, emerging only for a short stretch here. So we got to see much more of the Sihltal Valley than we ever do by train.
The Sihl River, which originates in Canton Schwyz near Hoch-Ybrig and is the largest feeder river for the Limmat River in Zurich, runs here along the Eastern Border of the Zurich Wilderness Park, the largest natural beech woodland in the central part of Switzerland (and at this time of year, the forest floor entirely covered in Bear's Garlic, which I think is fabulous: Rich dark green and you can actually smell it! You can also pick it [making sure not to confuse it with the poisonous Lily-of-the-Valley] and take it home to make pesto or add it to an Alfredo sauce).
Just slightly North of where we ended our walk (Sihlwald) is the Langenberg Wilderness Park with native Swiss animals that can be observed in their natural environment (which probably means you won't see them), but this will be something to have a look at on another day. We also missed the Visitor Center in the Park, only noticing it as we pulled out of the station on the special Sihltal Train line heading to Zurich.
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| The start of the hike in Sihlbrugg starts by crossing the river and heading North into the Zurich Wilderness Park |
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| Typical Swiss forests, and here the Bear's Garlic is just sprouting with flashes of dark green everywhere |
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| A nice and pleasant afternoon stroll along the Sihl River in Zurich Wilderness Park |
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| At the very North End of the Zurich Wilderness Park is the Langenberg Wilderness Park where you can wander through and observe Swiss animals in their natural habitat |
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| The train bridge at the old Sihlbrugg Train Station (no longer in use). Along the entire river is also popular for bike riding. You can ride a bike all the way from Zug to Zurich along here. |
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| The Sihl River looking South. On the other side, the wide expanse of the Zurich Wilderness Park |
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| This is the half-way point of our hike (1 hour). Good place for a coffee break and to watch the trains that emerge here for a short piece between two tunnels |
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| Best hobby: Watching Trains |
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| The trains between Zurich and Zug emerge here for about a minute between two tunnels |
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| Continuing along our walk, we cross the bridge over the railway line. This train is heading from Zug to Zurich |
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| I have been trying for a very long time to photograph this elusive Brimstone Butterfly. It never sits long enough to focus my camera... |
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| I don't mind walking through forests like this. It's quite pleasant when the sun shines through |
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| But this kind of narrow trail is much better, always. |
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| This is a nice location for a farmhouse |
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| Living here all secluded except for the people and bikes passing by. Could be quite peaceful just the same |
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| Crossing the bridge at Sihlwald, heading to the train station, end of our 2-hour walk along the Sihl River |
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| From 1781-1787 this was the summer home of Salomon Gessler, a prominent Zurich politician and amateur artist |
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| The train station at Sihlwald is actually end of the line for the Sihltal Train from Zurich in the North. This railway line does not continue southwards to Zug |
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| We rode the Sihltal Train North into Zurich before heading Southward again along the regular trainline back through the Sihl Valley. This takes an hour longer than with the bus, but we had never travelled with this train before |
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| A two-hour stroll from Sihlbrugg near Baar/Zug through the Sihlwald Forest to Sihlwald, which is the final station of the Sihlwald-to-Zurich-to-Sihlwald Sihltal trainline |
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| This is the Sihlwald Forest when the entire forest floor is covered in Bear's Garlic! This was on April 7th 2014, exactly 5 years earlier than the actual publication of this album... |
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| We have done many hikes in this region, also did the whole trail across the Albis Ridge (in two sections) |
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