Hörnli

Hörnli is a 1,133 m summit in the municipality of Fischenthal, in the east of the canton of Zurich. It rises in the Zürcher Oberland, within the Tössbergland hills, and is a favourite day-trip destination for hikers from Zurich and Winterthur. It is not the Hörnli ridge at the Matterhorn near Zermatt.

What will you see on Hörnli?

The view is the reason to climb it. On a clear day it takes in the Töss valley and the Appenzell Alps with the Säntis, and in exceptional visibility reaches much farther. The summit is home to the Berggasthaus Hörnli, a mountain inn open all year with overnight rooms, and a transmitter mast marks the skyline. The mountain has belonged to the canton of Zurich since 1930, which is why it has been spared heavy development.

In the Middle Ages a stretch of the Way of St James, known as the Schwabenweg, crossed the hill. Parts of today's hiking routes follow that old line.

How do you get to the top?

Three routes are the most common:

• Gfell (Sternenberg) to Hörnli to Steg. An easy route that works in every season. From the Gfell bus stop at 903 m the climb to the inn takes about 45 minutes. The descent through Tanzplatz to Steg im Tösstal station (696 m) takes about an hour, so the whole walk is roughly 1 h 45 min.
• Bauma to Hörnli to Steg. A loop of about 9.5 km with around 490 m of ascent, taking about 3 h 15 min through forest and along the ridge past Chlihörnli.
• Fischingen (Thurgau) and back. The longest option at about 16.7 km, with some 780 m of climbing and around 5 h 15 min of walking.

Reach Steg or Bauma by S-Bahn from Winterthur or Rüti ZH.

When is the best time to visit?

The paths are walkable all year. In summer, early morning and evening give the clearest light, and sunsets over the Alps draw photographers. In winter Hörnli is known for a sledging run of more than four kilometres down to Steg, while in summer the inn rents out scooters for the descent.

Can you stay overnight?

Yes. The Berggasthaus takes guests all year, so you can watch sunrise or sunset without rushing down. Check current kitchen hours and room availability with the inn before you go.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Hörnli in Fischenthal?

1,133 m above sea level.

Do you need mountain experience?

No. The Gfell route is easy and all paths are well marked. Only the Fischingen route calls for stamina over several hours.

How do you get there from Zurich?

Take the S-Bahn to Bauma or Steg im Tösstal, changing at Winterthur or Rüti ZH, and walk from there. A bus serves Gfell.

Is Hörnli open in winter?

Yes. The inn operates year-round, and in winter the trail doubles as a sledging track.