Monte Diggelmann

Monte Diggelmann is a man-made lookout hill in Zurich, on the edge of Irchelpark beside the University of Zurich's Irchel campus, in the Oberstrass district. Locals simply call it "Monte". It is a modest mound topped with a clump of trees and some benches, with views across the city, the Limmat valley and out toward the airport.

How did the hill come about?

The mound was built up in the 1970s from soil excavated for the new Uni Irchel campus. So it is not a natural summit, even though geographic databases list it as a mountain. The name refers to Walter Diggelmann, a former president of the Oberstrass neighbourhood association who campaigned fiercely against building over the former Strickhof grounds for the university's expansion. According to contributors on Komoot, that is how the nickname stuck. No official history of the hill exists, so the story of the dispute is best read as local lore.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The hill sits in northern Zurich near Letzistrasse (8006 Zürich), within Irchelpark, at roughly 47.393 N, 8.550 E. The easiest approach is to stroll through the park around the university campus and head for the highest wooded point with the benches. There are no tickets or gates; it is simply part of the city's green space.

What can you see from the top?

The panorama takes in Zurich's rooftops and the Limmat valley. On a clear day you can pick out the airport and the Lägern ridge, and in the opposite direction the Uetliberg. The Glatt valley opens up to the east. It is a good spot for a short viewpoint stop with no mountain climbing involved, and the benches under the trees make it easy to sit and watch the city.

Can you go sledding here?

Yes. According to Famigros, the longest sledding run in all of Irchelpark lies just below Monte Diggelmann. When snow falls, the hill turns into a local sledding slope, popular with families from the surrounding neighbourhoods.

When should you visit?

The experience changes with the seasons. In spring and summer the park is green, and the benches are a comfortable place to watch the sun go down over the city. In winter, after snowfall, the sledding slope is the main draw. The hill works well as a short add-on to a visit to the park or the campus grounds.

What else can you combine with a visit?

Monte Diggelmann is part of a larger park, so the natural companion is a walk along the paths of Irchelpark and around Uni Irchel. In one outing you can see the artificial hill, the park's greenery and the view from its highest point. No special gear is needed beyond comfortable shoes.

Frequently asked questions

Is Monte Diggelmann a natural mountain? No. It was heaped up in the 1970s from earth dug out while the Uni Irchel campus was being built.

Where does the name come from? From Walter Diggelmann, a former president of the Oberstrass neighbourhood association who opposed the university's building on the Strickhof site. The information comes from user contributions, not an official document.

What can you see from the hill? Zurich, the Limmat valley, the airport, the Lägern and the Uetliberg, plus the Glatt valley.

Can you sled here in winter? Yes. The longest sledding run in Irchelpark lies below the hill.