Short Afternoon Walk Nearby from Kappel a.Albis to Blickensdorf

Wednesday April 9, 2025 -- On this lovely day, Urs' day off, he had appointments in the morning and in late afternoon, so we couldn't really go far for our mid-week excursion. This was OK with me as I had done a 14-km walk the day before (photos HERE). So we headed into the hills north of our home, to the village of Kappel below the Albis mountain range in Canton Zurich, a 30-minute bus ride from here.

From there we walked a path we hadn't walked yet (we have done a lot of walking in this region!), a 6-kilometer walk on both forest and pasture trails, down to the community of Blickensdorf near Baar. It was only a 90-minute walk, but it was a hot afternoon and Urs still has pain when walking. It was just fine for a nice afternoon walk.

Kappel am Albis, the start of our hike, is the site of an ancient Cistercian Monastery, grounded in 1185, and we have visited the church building there twice before, so didn't go in this time. (November 2023 and August 2017). 

Along the way we enjoyed a large variety of flowering trees and bushes, some nice half-timbered houses, cows in the pastures and a buzzard on a branch much too small. Also, and always interesting, we crossed Canton border lines along the way, starting in Canton Zurich, and ending in Canton Zug.

It takes only 30 minutes by bus to get here, to the Monastery buildings in Kappel a.Albis. The bus stop is right next to this pond. 

The Cistercian Abbey church in Kappel, built in the 13th and 14th Centuries, is apparently one of the best preserved early Gothic buildings in Switzerland. We did not stop there this time, as we have seen the interior twice before. (2017 and 2023)

Houses in Kappel am Albis

One of many large blossoming trees we saw along the way. 

And here was a magnificent magnolia tree. 

A look back at the buildings surrounding the Abbey Church as we start out on our walk at about 2:30 p.m. 

At about 2:30 p.m. we started our walk in Kappel am Albis in Canton Zurich, via Uerzlikon (where I had ended a hike in April 2015) and through the forest, crossing the Canton Border into Canton Zug, and ending in Blickensdorf. Originally we wanted to walk to the train station in Baar, but there was a bus coming within a few minutes of our arriving there, so we ended the hike there. 

A look behind us as at the road we came down. Behind the village is the mountain range called Albis, which separates this region from Lake Zurich. 

Another close-up look at Kappel am Albis. 

My Dad used to have a tractor almost exactly like this. 

Past these large-growth trees we spotted a large bird high up on the skinniest of branches!

It always amazes me that these large birds can sit on such skinny branches!

A gorgeous bird of prey: The Common Buzzard. 

We are enjoying all the blossoming trees during this beautiful spring season!

After a stretch through the forest, we got to the next village called Uerzlikon. There were many pretty houses here.  

I also love the way many of these homeowners decorate their properties. So many loving details!

Another fabulous blossoming tree, pink this time. 

This cute little building is across from the bus stop in Uerzlikon. This is where I ended a my short walk from Knonau back in April 2015. 

More Magnolias

More white blossoms

More half-timbered houses. 

And the daffodils are at their peak right now!

More very pretty houses, still in Uerzlikon

What a fantastic house

This one is particularly cute because of the tiny half-timbered house next to the flag-pole!

At this time of year, the new leaves on the willow trees add a special green to the countryside. And it's so nice to see the cows out in the pastures again. 

Soon all of these trees will be blossoming as well. And far to the south we get a glimpse of the peaks in the Schwyzer Alps south of Lake Zug. 

At this point we have reached the Canton border. I am standing in Canton Zug, and Urs is still in Canton Zurich, taking a photo of me. 

Originally we were going to walk all the way to the Baar train station, at least 20 minutes more than the bus stop at Blickensdorf, where we then ultimately ended the hike (90 minutes instead of two hours) because there was a bus just arriving there. 

A view over the city of Baar as we descend to the bus stop in Blickensdorf

Such pretty blossoms!

And now the tulips are starting to show their colours!

This is what our walk looks like on Google Satellite Maps (blue trail). We had done several other walks in this region close to our home, but other than a short piece near Kappel am Albis, it was a path we had not yet walked before. 

Knonaueramt-Weg from Kappel am Albis to Mettmenstetten

Saturday November 4, 2023 -- The weather really isn't looking promising for November hikes so far, but it's the weekend and we did want to get out for a bit, so we headed into the countryside just North of our city of Zug to walk along what is called the Knonaueramt-Weg, which is actually already in Canton Zurich.

The 8-km walk between Kappel a.Albis and Mettmenstetten is all on wide roads (combination of paved and dirt roads) which was not a bad idea for this day, as it has rained and even snowed to low elevations, making our usual small trails probably a muddy mess. There wasn't a lot of sunshine and it even looked like it might rain for a bit, but we beat the rain back home by 12:30. We did quite enjoy the lovely houses in the small villages along the way, and visited the Kappel Abbey for the second time. (Got to listen to a choir practicing). Because we always tend to want to travel far from home for our hikes, we forget that this is quite a nice area, and on clear days we have nice views of the Alps even from here. 

Note: From previous research after we visited the Kappel Abbey in August 2017 (those photos HERE), this is the history of the Abbey: "The town of Kappel was a significant location in the history of the Protestant Church in Switzerland and an area that figured prominently in the religious wars of 1529 and 1531. The Cistercian Monastery in Kappel was founded in 1185 by monks who emigrated from France, and remained Catholic until the Reformation, when it was handed over to the City of Zurich in 1527. The Abbey in Kappel, built in the 13th and 14th Centuries, is one of the best preserved early Gothic buildings in Switzerland."

We started our hike at the Abbey at Kappel am Albis

The monastery was founded in 1185 and the Abbey built in the 13th and 14th Centuries, but as with all these monasteries and churches, many changes and additions took place over the centuries, such as this clock from 1818. 

We also visited this church in August 2017, with blue skies at the time (better photos maybe? See HERE)

The view from the monastery grounds to the Alps to the south. Even though it was overcast, we saw them well. I can only recognize Mount Stanserhorn on the left and Mount Pilatus on the right. The others could be the Bernese Alps looking closer than they are. 

Before starting on our hike, another look inside the monastery church. 

There were alcoves with brightly painted ceilings. 

A choir was practicing, so we listened for a few minutes. 

VIDEO:

Choir practicing in the Kappel Abbey

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The Abbey Church, built in the 13th and 14th Centuries, is one of the best preserved early Gothic buildings in Switzerland. 

Details from inside of the Abbey Church.

This was a relatively short hike for us, only about two hours and not quite 8 km. The trail was mostly wide forest roads, a good choice after a day of rain. But we got fresh air and beat the rain for this day. We started at Kappel at 10:15, and caught the train in Mettmenstetten at 12:10, and were back home by 12:30!. 

In every field in Switzerland sits a cat!

Heading out on the trail toward Rifferswil and Mettmentstetten. 

We are following Trail no.891: Knonaueramt Weg. Perhaps there was a faster way to get to Mettmentstetten, but the trail we followed took 10 minutes longer from here to the train station there. 1:50 in all from the Monastery

A look behind us at the village of Kappel am Albis (Albis being the mountain range behind the village), and the Monastery buildings. 

To the east there was a bit of blue sky, but we could not identify where this would be or what the mountains are. They look much closer today than they relly are!

As we reached the village of Rifferswil, we admired many pretty buildings. 

This house was an absolute beauty! In fact, the village of Rifferswil is apparently known for its many historical half-timbered houses. 

In fact, there is a large information placard next to this gorgeous house, explaining how the various parts of the house were built. The map also indicates other historical houses in the village. So we are planning to make another trip here on a nicer day to inspect all the other buildings!

Another pretty half-timbered house as we continue our way toward Mettmenstetten. 

Now we get a view of Lake Zug to the south and the high-rises of Cham. The only mountain I recognize here is Mount Stanserhorn on the right!

I had to try to imagine how fabulous this pasture looked when the flowers were in full bloom!

That's a weird way of sleeping. 

The farm at Sternen offers a summer restaurant. We didn't stay long as an aggressive-looking dog came too close to us, walked right on my heels. Not comfortable. 

Further down the road we passed a shooting range. Although we heard some shots fired earlier, we figure they were taking a lunch break now (11:30) so we were lucky this time. We did check the Internet on the way, there was an event scheduled here for 7 p.m., but no shooting practice. 

Being watched closely.... 

It's nice that the animals can still be out in the fields at this time of year! This farm is called Aspli

To our south, the newly snow-covered peak of Mount Rigi

The final stretch now into the town of Mettmenstetten

The evangelical church at Mettmenstetten. We had another 10 minutes to get to the train station, but there was enough time to have a quick look inside!

This church had a unique organ unlike any I had seen before. The pipes were made of copper, but they were tarnished and made the organ look old, although it's only from the 1960's!

Another pretty ceiling in the apse

Details of the church in Mettmenstetten. Some nice features like a very pretty ceiling and a fabulous pipe organ. The church dates from 1521 but the tower was built in 1898.

All the hikes we have done in the region just to the north of our city of Zug. The light blue one is the one we did this day. 

Passing along the shores of Lake Zug on our way back into the city of Zug. 

Once again what appears to be the Bernese Alps looking very close. The clouds are low, so the shapes of the mountains, normally quite recognizable, are hidden. 

Location in Switzerland