Getaways
Egelsee Excursion into the idyll
Egelsee
.How to get there
Arrival by public transport:
Bus 305 from Dietikon to Kindhausen, the 45-minute hiking trail is signposted.
Egelsee can also be reached on foot from the Mutschellenpass railway station in about 90 minutes.
Access by car:
Direct access to the lake is not possible. There are parking spaces in Kindhausen (Bergdietikon) next to the bus stop, they are signposted. From there there is a signposted hiking trail to the lake.
In the municipality of Bergdietikon, not far from Zurich, lies the marshy Egelsee at the foot of Heitersberg, in the middle of a nature reserve. With its enchanted shore and surrounded by steeply rising, densely leafy forest slopes, it is a dreamy place for a day trip. It is pleasant to hike here at 667 metres above sea level; those who want to take more challenging paths can also choose a steeper route in the forest. But here, at almost 800 metres above sea level, you are rewarded with a magnificent view of the Limmat Valley.
The Egelsee area is well developed. There are barbecue sites and picnic areas, as well as a bathing area with a diving tower. It is not only towering trees that surround you here, the vegetation on the shore is also enchanting with its flora and fauna. Numerous protected and partly endangered plant species grow here, which give the deep Egelsee its extraordinary, mysterious charm.
The lake itself can only be reached on foot or by bicycle. Coming from Dietikon, however, there are parking facilities on Hasenbergstrasse. This is also the location of the Monardo Hasenberg hotel restaurant, which only opened in 2021 and offers a final culinary treat after an extensive hike or bike ride - including a breathtaking view of the valley from the hotel's own terrace.
Simple yet refined Mediterranean cuisine with a wow-effect is served here. The kitchen deliberately relies on local producers and family businesses, whose ingredients enrich the menu. Whether crispy pizzas from the original Neapolitan oven or steaks and seafood from the charcoal grill, vegetarian dishes or just coffee and cake - after a hike at Lake Egel, the appetite is great, and one is grateful for the crowning conclusion to an eventful day out.
