Wila combines hiking trails along the Töss with ponds, hill routes and a multifaceted local history. You can tailor your stay to your interests: perhaps an easy loop with scenic views, a more challenging discovery tour or insights into traditional crafts. Water also plays a role—as part of the landscape, a place to swim and a historical source of power for local trades.

Hiking trails, the Töss and ponds

The Töss river landscape is served by a hiking trail, a cycle path and a bridleway. Stones in the riverbed provide children with a place to play. Toni-Gumpe lies at a step in the Töss on the route to Hohenlandenberg and the Guyer-Zeller Trail, and is a popular swimming spot for visitors of all ages. You can reach it on foot, by bicycle, kick scooter or inline skates via the Töss riverside path. Swimming conditions can vary seasonally; checking the situation before your visit can help you plan.

The site of Hohenlandenberg Castle is also a hiking destination: the Guyer-Zeller Trail climbs up from the valley floor. The castle ruins have a barbecue area and a rest area. This makes the trail a route to a destination where you can enjoy a break outdoors as well as explore the history.

The routes differ considerably in character. The Panorama Trail is an easy circular walk that climbs gently to Ghöngg and offers views over the village. On the way back, Bodenweiher pond is a lovely place to linger before the trail leads back to the centre. The Huebeweg is more challenging: this discovery tour crosses the hills to Wila’s “Hueben” and passes through several hamlets in the municipality. If you would rather explore the area’s waterways than take to the higher trails, the Weiherweg offers a different perspective. It leads through green surroundings to Mühleweiher and Rosenbergweiher ponds, while also illustrating the importance of water to local trades in the past.

Local history and crafts

The Wila Historical Trail uses information panels to present key points in the village’s history and everyday life in times gone by. Topics range from almost-forgotten crafts to child labour in dark weaving cellars. Another historic building is the Alte Post (Old Post Office): dating from 1736, it housed the first post office. A wooden chapel stood on the site of today’s church hill as early as around the year 700. The rectory has a Baroque portal with delicate Rococo ironwork.

Stock winches were made at the Brüngger Old Winch Workshop from 1874 to 2009. During guided tours, the machines and forge are put into operation; visitors can try their hand at blacksmithing under supervision. The workshop has been protected as a cantonal monument since 2005. For visitors interested in crafts, it combines the history of a former trade with a hands-on experience during the tour.

The Wila Local Museum presents the municipality’s history and holds special exhibitions and events each year; the programme may vary. It is housed in a former multipurpose farmhouse. Farm and craft implements illustrate the lives of earlier generations, while firefighting equipment shows technological progress. The museum and the Historical Trail offer different perspectives: objects and exhibitions here, history and everyday life on information panels there.

Farm products and events

Restaurant Heubode hosts farm events such as Burger-Sunntig and Metzgete. Dates follow the annual programme. The Brunnackerhof’s HofArtLädeli sells homemade farm products; the range may change seasonally. Konditorei Café Janz has a location in the centre of Wila at Huswisstrasse 2, 8492 Wila.

Discover more destinations: Pfäffikon, Weisslingen, Fehraltorf, Lindau, Hittnau, Bauma, Sternenberg, Illnau-Effretikon.

Back to the main travel overview: Pfäffikon.