Nature, local history and leisure activities offer three different reasons to stay in Hettlingen. Baldisriet is known for its rare moorland landscape and its wildlife and plants; Hanfriibi and Burgtrotte offer insights into different chapters of architectural history. The outdoor pool adds sports facilities, a barbecue area and a sauna. Hettlingen’s character thus ranges from wetlands and historic buildings to opportunities for exercise and relaxation.

Fen and amphibian spawning site

Baldisriet is one of the last lowland fens to have survived in Switzerland. Rare animals and plants live and thrive there; the area is also a wetland of national importance. The Mittelfeld gravel pit in Hettlingen offers a different focus on nature: it is designated as an amphibian spawning site of national importance and was added to the Federal Inventory in 2007. Both areas are of national importance, but represent different habitats: Baldisriet stands for fenland and biodiversity, while the gravel pit is an amphibian spawning site. If you are interested in nature, you can distinguish between a protected moorland area and a designated spawning site.

Architectural history and historic traces

Hanfriibi was built in 1822 and originally designed as a mill, a Relle, a sawmill and a grinding mill. It is a protected heritage site. Further historic traces can be distinguished at the castle site: the Burgtrotte, which is still visible today, was built in the 18th century on the site of the residential tower, which was demolished in 1752. Hettlingen was once home to a moated castle belonging to the Lords of Hettlingen; the last remains of its walls were removed around 1880. The castle site is in the village of the same name, six kilometres north of Winterthur. The old press house on the castle grounds is on Burgtrottenweg, near the village centre by the Dorfbach stream. The press house is therefore a building that can still be seen today, while the moated castle belongs to the village’s earlier history. Historical records also refer to different periods: Hettlingen is mentioned as early as the late 9th century, while the noble family named after the village is first documented from 1223 onwards.

Outdoor pool, sports and sauna

Hettlingen outdoor pool has a table tennis table, a table football table, a beach volleyball court and a football field. Footballs, volleyballs, and table tennis bats and balls can be rented for a deposit of 5 francs. A barbecue area is available to all bathers free of charge. The available facilities, rental equipment requiring a deposit, and free barbecue area are thus clearly distinct. The Sauna Hettlingen association operates a sauna with a romantic wood-burning stove on the outdoor pool grounds. Private time slots can be booked online on Sundays and public holidays, when the public sauna is closed.

If travelling by bus, check the timetable in advance for route 676 from Winterthur main station to Hettlingen, Dorf.

Discover more destinations: Dinhard, Pfungen, Wiesendangen, Winterthur, Rickenbach, Hofstetten, Turbenthal, Altikon

Go to the main travel overview: Winterthur.