A 16.5-kilometre lakeside path, a coal-fired steamship and historic mills reveal different sides of Maur on Lake Greifensee. During your stay, you can focus on walking along the shore, taking a trip on the water or exploring local history. Each activity has its own schedule: round trips are available seasonally, while Museen Maur is open on certain Saturdays.
By the lake: lakeside path, steamship and lido
Marked by the Zurich Hiking Trails Association, the lakeside path runs around Lake Greifensee. It is 16.5 kilometres long and can be accessed from the Maur boat landing or the village area. Check the local trail markers and conditions before setting out. This lets you plan the route as an activity in its own right, without assuming a particular walking time or level of difficulty.
The steamship «Greif» operates on the lake. It is the oldest and only coal-fired steamship with a screw propeller still operating in Switzerland’s public passenger shipping service. From May to October, round trips are offered on Sunday afternoons and public holidays. In August and September, evening trips under the theme «Evening atmosphere with steam on Lake Greifensee» also depart from «Maur, See». Check the timetable for your chosen date: the seasonal schedule and additional evening trips help you fit the journey into your stay.
A ferry connects Maur and Uster and also carries bicycles. Travel and operating information may change, so check the latest details if you plan to use this connection. There is also a lido with a bistro on Lake Greifensee. It is open seasonally, so it is worth checking the opening hours before planning a day of swimming.
Mill, castle and church: local history
Maur Church was first mentioned in a document in 963. The site was already used for religious purposes in the 7th century; the late Gothic church in its present form was built between 1507 and 1511. These dates distinguish the site’s long history from the later architectural form that defines the building today.
The MĂĽhle Maur has housed the Ortsmuseum MĂĽhle local history museum since 1988, with a permanent exhibition. Maur Castle also brings together architectural history and a collection: its masonry residential tower was built around 1250. Since 1976, the castle has displayed the Herrliberger collection in a permanent exhibition featuring the Salomon Cabinet and an art room. In the castle cellar, a printing workshop introduces visitors to historic printing techniques and typesetting.
The Sagi Maur sawmill has been operational again since 1991 and has been presented to the public every year on Swiss Mill Day since 2002. Those wishing to visit the mill, castle and sawmill can explore regional history in different ways: through the buildings, the collection and the restored working sawmill. Admission to the printing workshop is free during regular museum opening hours.
Nature, opening hours and getting there
The shores of Lake Greifensee are largely undeveloped and protected as a nature reserve. Reed beds, fens and wet meadows are among the habitats preserved here. The lakeside landscape offers a different focus from the village’s historic sites: you can centre your stay on nature and the shore, or on museums and architectural history.
Museen Maur offers free admission and is open on the first and third Saturday of each month. Round trips operate from May to October, while the museum follows a monthly schedule. Plan your visit around the places you want to see and check the latest opening information before travelling. The Maurmer Chilbi fair is also held annually and includes public food and drink stalls. If you would like to experience the fair, check the date of the relevant year’s event.
To reach Museen Maur from Zürich HB, take the S-Bahn to Stettbach, then a bus to «Maur, Dorf». Alternatively, take the tram to Klusplatz, then a bus to «Maur, Dorf». As routes and timetables vary over time, check the connection for your travel date.
Choose accommodation to suit your travel plans
When looking for a holiday apartment in Maur, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on during your trip: spending more time on the lakeside path and boat trips, or visiting museums and historic buildings? Choose your travel dates and the specific location of your accommodation to suit your plans. If you are interested in seasonal boat trips, museum opening days or the Chilbi, it is worth checking the relevant dates before booking.
Discover more destinations: Uster, Fällanden, Dübendorf, Mönchaltorf, Greifensee, Volketswil, Egg, Schwerzenbach
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