Greifensee

Greifensee is a lake in the canton of Zurich, in the Zürcher Oberland. Aesch, a locality in the municipality of Maur on the western shore, is one of several places from which you can reach the water. It is the canton's second-largest lake and a long-standing weekend escape for people living in the Zurich area.

How big is Greifensee?

The lake covers about 8.5 km², stretches roughly 6 km in length and reaches 1.6 km at its widest. The shoreline measures nearly 17 km. Maximum depth is about 32 m, with an average of around 17 to 18 m. The municipalities of Greifensee, Uster, Maur, Schwerzenbach and Fällanden border the water, and the river Glatt flows out of it.

What will you see?

Reed belts and wet meadows line much of the shore. These habitats have been protected since 1941, and the lake serves as a refuge for waterfowl and migrating birds. In protected zones, entering or paddling into the reeds is prohibited, and in places you must stay on marked paths, so binoculars are more useful here than a kayak.

A scheduled boat runs all year between Maur and Uster. From spring to autumn there are round-the-lake cruises plus nostalgic trips on the steamship "Greif", built in 1895 and described as the oldest steamship in Switzerland. The Maur to Uster and back round trip takes about 1.5 hours.

How can you spend an active day here?

A walking and cycling path circles the lake. Sources give its length as 18 to 20 km, depending on the route variant. You can do it on foot, by bike or on inline skates. A popular stretch links Schwerzenbach, Fällanden and the Maur landing stage, and buses from Maur or Fällanden let you cut the trip short. In summer several official lido areas are open, and many shoreline spots are easy to reach. Divers also use the lake, for instance near Maur harbour.

How do you get there?

From Zurich, take the S-Bahn to Schwerzenbach, Uster or Greifensee; the shore is only minutes from each station. Buses serve Maur and Aesch, including connections from Forch. The simplest plan is a loop that ends with a boat or bus ride back.

When should you go?

Late spring to early autumn is best: the lidos and cruises operate and the path is dry. For birdwatching, go early in the morning outside the swimming season.

Frequently asked questions

Can you walk all the way around Greifensee? Yes. The path is roughly 18 to 20 km, so it makes a full-day outing. You can shorten it by taking a bus from Maur or Fällanden.

Can you swim in Greifensee? Yes, there are official lidos and open access points. Swimming and landing are prohibited in the reed zones.

Is there a boat service? Yes, year-round between Maur and Uster. Sightseeing cruises, including the steamship "Greif", are added from spring to autumn.

Is the lake protected? Yes. The reserve covers the reed beds and meadows, and protection dates from 1941. Keep to the marked paths.