Seven mostly wooded hills and 300 metres of elevation gain define the Effretikon Hill Circuit. The 11.6-kilometre circular route can be split into a western and an eastern loop. Mostly comfortable paths alternate with short sections on narrow footpaths. When planning, you can consider the full circuit and its two sections separately; the distance and elevation gain set the specific parameters for the hike.
Hiking and Landscape
The hill circuit passes through a landscape shaped by glaciers during the Ice Age. Preserved remnants of former marshes and different types of woodland are among its distinctive features. Three hills offer views across Effretikon and the surrounding area, in some places as far as the Alps. The circuit combines walking through the hilly landscape with insights into its geological formation and traces of former wetlands.
A shorter route is the Kemptweg, which is around five kilometres long. It runs from Graf Weaving Mill in Illnau, via Illnau Sawmill and Oberkempttal Spinning Mill, to WĂĽrglenmĂĽhle near Effretikon. Sixteen information panels accompany the trail, which links sites of industrial history and natural history. Picnic areas are located by the Otelrain canal system and at Sagiweiher pond. Compared with the 11.6-kilometre hill circuit, the Kemptweg is listed as the shorter route, and its information panels focus on the link between industrial history and natural history.
The Foxtrail Elixira starts at Effretikon railway station and ends at the Reformed Church of Effretikon. The route is listed as Effretikon–Oberillnau–Grendelbach. This gives you the trail’s starting point, destination and named stops for planning.
Architectural Heritage and History
Two exposed-concrete buildings offer insight into Effretikon’s architectural history. The Reformed Church of Effretikon stands on Rebbuck and was built from 1959 to 1961 by Zurich architect Ernst Gisel. It is considered a landmark visible from far away and symbolises Effretikon’s architectural development in the 1960s. Effretikon railway station was built in 1961 as the fourth station on the same site; its design is by Max Vogt. The church and the railway station thus showcase exposed-concrete construction in buildings with different functions and by different architects.
Moosburg Castle ruins also have an archaeological history: artefacts have been recovered there during surveys and excavations over the past 200 years. These include everyday objects, weapons and a large collection of relief-decorated stove tiles. The different types of finds offer a different way to explore local history than the surviving buildings.
Stadthaussaal Effretikon is used primarily by the ApplausHaus association as a venue for public cultural events. These include concerts, theatre, comedy, cabaret, readings, lectures, film screenings and exhibitions. If you want to plan your visit around an event, check the relevant date.
Sport and Seasonal Swimming
Badi Sportzentrum Effretikon has a 50-metre swimming pool, a children’s pool, a kiosk and a restaurant, a playground, table tennis and swimming lessons. The sports centre also has a water slide, beach volleyball, street workout, mini golf, outdoor chess and a sunbathing lawn. Swimming is seasonal, so take this into account when planning your visit.
Discover more destinations: Weisslingen, Hittnau, Bauma, Lindau, Pfäffikon, Sternenberg, Wila, Fehraltorf.
Back to the main travel overview: Pfäffikon.
