Cholfirst

Cholfirst is a wooded hill beside Uhwiesen in the Swiss canton of Zurich, rising to roughly 570 m above sea level between the Rhine and the vineyards of the Zürcher Weinland. Two structures stand on the ridge: a tall broadcasting mast and a small wooden lookout tower. It makes an easy half-day outing for anyone who has seen the Rhine Falls and wants a wider view of the region.

What is there to see on the Cholfirst?

The most visible landmark is a 96 m steel lattice tower, built in 1973 by the Swiss PTT. It belongs to the municipality of Flurlingen and can be spotted from many points along the Rhine valley. On the Uhwiesen side, the wooden Hörnli lookout is 12.5 m tall, with a platform at about 9.5 m reached by more than 55 steps. It was rebuilt in 2021 and ranks among the smallest of the canton's lookout towers. A panorama board names the summits you can pick out in clear weather, from the Säntis in the east to the Hohgant in the Bernese Alps.

What is the view like?

The sunny southern slope is covered in vines. Above the village of Benken the outlook takes in the Weinland, the Irchel ridge and the Lägern. On a clear day the Alps line the horizon.

How do you get to the Cholfirst?

The hill sits on walking routes linking Uhwiesen, Benken, Flurlingen and Rheinau. A popular day hike from Andelfingen to Dachsen crosses the sunny slopes of the Cholfirst and the Benken vineyards: about 16 km, roughly four hours, with around 300 m of climbing. A shorter option starts in Uhwiesen, where forest tracks lead up to the Hörnli tower. The Guggeeren restaurant along the route has its own broad view over the Weinland.

When should you go?

Pick a bright day in autumn or early spring, when the air is clear and the Alps stand out. Autumn also colours the vineyards. In summer, start early, since most of the walk runs through woods and open fields.

Frequently asked questions

Can you climb the towers? The wooden Hörnli tower has a public platform at about 9.5 m. The 96 m mast is a technical installation.

Is the Cholfirst close to the Rhine Falls? Yes, it lies right next to Uhwiesen and the falls, so the two fit into one trip. The falls viewpoints such as the Känzeli and the Belvedere sit lower, on the river bank.

How long does the walk take? A short ascent from Uhwiesen takes a couple of hours return. The full Andelfingen to Dachsen route takes about four hours.

Is there somewhere to eat? The Guggeeren restaurant lies on the trail, and Uhwiesen and Benken have local inns and wine estates.