An Afternoon walk near the Albis Range, from Aeugst to Mettmenstetten

Thursday March 20, 2025 -- Another beautiful day with great visibility, so I needed to go out again, preferably higher up where I could get a good view of the Alps. 

For this I don't even have to go far, as the communities along the Albis mountain range just North of our town have great views of the Alps. (Although the Albis Range separates Lake Zurich from Lake Zug, the region I walked is still part of Canton Zurich). We have walked there many times, but I was able to find a path that we had mostly not yet walked. 

To get to the starting point of my hike (the Auegst Valley), it was only a 40-minute trip by train and bus, from where I walked on forest trails to the village of Auegst where I sat on a sunny bench above the town for a time enjoying the views. Continuing on down to the Jonen River and up again on a forest trail, I finally ended with a descent through the town of Mettmenstetten, for the 35-minute trip home.

In all, it was a hike of almost 9 kilometers, and I was, once again, able to enjoy the fantastic views of the mountains which we had all week. 

From the train station in Affoltern am Albis (an alternative railway line from Zug to Zurich), a bus heads up toward the town of Auegst, but I got out here at the little community of Müliberg, so that I could walk through the forest of the Auegsterberg "mountain" and approach Aeugst from above. 

On my map, there was a small connecting road through the village, but as I reached the end, it was roped off so that a couple of little cows could enjoy the sunshine in the space between the barn and the farmhouse. I didn't feel like going back, so I stepped over the two electrified wires. The little cow was cute, though. And plays tetherball! And also seems to have a Christmas tree. 

The cute houses in Müliberg

To the east I can see into the Auegster Valley, and the village of the same name (Auegstertal). The mountain range here is called the Albis, and separates this side from Lake Zurich. 

A look back at the houses of Müliberg as I now head onto the forest trail. 

After a bus ride from the train station in Affoltern to Müliberg, I walked to Auegst along the base of Auegsterberg, then down to the Jonen River, up through the forest again, and then finally through Mettmenstetten to the train station there. This is only about a 35-minute trip with public transport. I started at about 11:30, and got back on the train at 3:10 p.m. 

Once I emerged from the forest at the outskirts of Auegst, I got the first view of the Alps. Dominating the landscape is Mt.Pilatus on the right, and to its left you can see the Eiger North Face, and the Bernese Alps. 

Before heading down into the town, I discovered this perfectly-situated bench, where I changed into lighter clothes, had a snack, and enjoyed the weather and the view for about a half an hour. It is currently exactly noon. 

Toward the southeast are the Glarus Alps. 

Trying to get at least one photo with me on it!

A view to the Bernese Alps and the Pilatus range across the roofs of Auegst am Albis. There is a strip of fog or mist hanging over Luzern. Along the line of trees in the center is the Jonen River, which I will walk down to and then up again on my way to Mettmenstetten. 

A close-up of the village church as I now make my way down the hill at 12:40

Another lovely half-timbered house next to the local church

Near the Evangelical Church in Aeugst am Albis. 

Lovely roses on someones grave

Interior of the small Evangelical church in Auegst. Built in 1667, it was renovated in 1967 and placed under National Monument Protection. 

A look behind me at the church as I descend into the town. 

Buzzards and kites abound in our region (this one is a kite). 

Beyond that line of trees I will descend into the small valley of the Jonen River. 

The road takes me down past the farm buildings on the left. I am standing near a tree full of mistletoe. 

A great view of the mountains. This time it's to the southeast to the Uri Alps. In particular you can recognize Mt. Schärhorn at the Klausen Pass (just right of center). 

A look behind me at the town of Auegst as I continue on my walk. 

Heading down to the Jonen River, I first pass through this farming community called Wängibad. 

In Switzerland, kids go home for lunch. Here in Wängibad at 1:15 p.m., a couple of kids are being picked up by the "school bus" to return to school for the afternoon!

This funny chicken with the mohawk hairdo was trying desperately to get back into the chicken pen!

Crossing the Jonen River, and from there I continue up a long set of steps into the next forest section!

Back in May of 2021, we did a long walk in this region, coming down from Lake Thürlersee all along the Jonen River and passing by here. (Those photos are HERE)

Lovely steps up through the forest. 

Sunny trail. I am not used to walking uphill any more, and even this small section was tough!

After another forest section, I reach the edge of the forest above the town of Mettmenstetten. 

From here you can see Lake Zug and Mt.Rigi beyond the lake, to the south. 

After another break at a bench above Mettmenstetten, I made my long way down to the train station. another 30 minutes. There were some nice houses along the way. 

Looking behind me on the nice path down through the town... I think this used to be the old mill. 

Heading down to and past the town's church. (I didn't go inside this time, as we have looked at this church before, in November of 2023, when we also ended a walk here. These are those PHOTOS). 

A Gasthaus in the center of town. 

The landscape is starting to get some colour!

Heading back to Zug by train at just after 3 p.m. we pass by the houses of Mettmenstetten. At the arrow above is where I had the second break at a bench before heading down to the train station here. 

The blue trail is the one I did this day, from Aeugsterberg (the small hill) to Mettmenstetten. And the others are various hikes in the area in the past years. 

Location of Aeugst and Mettmenstetten within Switzerland, close to where we live in Zug. 

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