Mönchaltorf lies on Lake Greifensee, at the foot of the Pfannenstiel and in a former marshland. Nature watching, trails and historic local landmarks showcase different aspects of the destination: the Silberweide Nature Centre is located on the upper part of Lake Greifensee, while buildings and traces from several centuries in the village tell the story of its history. When planning your visit, you can choose between nature experiences, hikes and culture.

Nature at Silberweide

The Silberweide Nature Centre is located in Mönchaltorf on the upper part of Lake Greifensee. Its nature trail leads through nutrient-poor meadows, raised and lowland fens, and along ponds. Along the way, you will encounter several clearly distinct habitats. Visitors can watch birds almost invisibly and without disturbing them from an observation hide. The trail and hide offer different experiences: the trail passes through the named habitats, while the hide focuses on birdwatching.

The adventure trail for children

The adventure trail around Mönchaltorf combines a half-day hike with a free app and an audio story. Participants decide for themselves how the story and route unfold. In the audio story, siblings Winnie and Tack meet a ranger who tells them about wildlife. The trail is suitable for children aged 7 to 12, takes about 2 to 4 hours and is 4 to 6 kilometres long. The nature centre focuses on habitats and birdwatching; on the adventure trail, choosing the route and shaping the story become part of the hike.

Hikes by route character and duration

For the “Mönchaltorf–Bergli–Badi Egg–Uessikon” hike, use the main signpost for guidance. The trail heads towards Uster, and the return route to the starting point follows the Aabachweg. The approximately 18-kilometre circular route around Lake Greifensee passes through the nature reserve and alongside reed meadows. It is easy and also suitable for families with young children.

Route F “Aabach–Rällikon” is very flat and runs alongside the Aabach and some fields. A hike from Dübendorf to Mönchaltorf takes around four hours. The Lake Greifensee circular route is about 18 kilometres long and easy; Route F “Aabach–Rällikon” is very flat. Allow around four hours for the hike from Dübendorf to Mönchaltorf. Signposting and trail conditions may change; check the current route guidance and conditions before setting out.

Watercourses and local history

The Mönchaltorfer Aa, Mettlenbach and Tüfentalerbach streams flow through Mönchaltorf. In the village, they join to form the Mönchaltorfer Aa, which flows into Lake Greifensee at Aaspitz. Together with the village’s location by the lake and at the foot of the Pfannenstiel, they create a landscape in which the watercourses and former marshland play a distinctive role.

The village’s history can be traced through different dates. The Hauptmannhof in the village centre was built in 1709. The village church was first mentioned in 902; its magnificently carved wooden ceiling was created by Master Ulrich Schmid in 1522. The wooden ceiling is now a protected monument. The dates refer to different things: 902 is the church’s first recorded mention, while 1522 is the year the ceiling was created.

The hamlet of “Burg” also has a historic connection: it lies on the site where Liebenberg Castle once stood. Mönchaltorf also has traces of the Uster–Oetwil railway from 1909, including a goods shed. Mönchaltorf’s Chilbimärt takes place on the second weekend in September. If this event determines when you travel, check the date in advance, as the exact timing may change.

Discover more destinations: Greifensee, Volketswil, Schwerzenbach, Maur, Fällanden, Dübendorf, Egg, Uster

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