Tüfels Chilen

Tüfels Chilen ("Devil's Church") is a moss-covered tufa rock formation near Rikon, in the municipality of Zell in the Töss Valley, canton of Zurich. It sits in a side ravine of the valley and makes an easy, atmospheric hike in the Zürcher Oberland.

What is Tüfels Chilen?

The rock is spring tufa, a porous limestone that builds up where lime-rich water trickles over wet grass and moss. Hiking guides describe it as one of the few springs on the Swiss Plateau that has stayed largely natural, and it is listed as a natural monument.

The stepped walls were shaped by people. Tufa was quarried here from the 17th century until the quarry closed in 1873. In the 1800s the municipality of Zell ran two tufa quarries, and the stone went into local roads and factory buildings. Since the closure, nature has been reclaiming the steep site.

Where does the name come from?

One popular explanation says a grotto stood here in pre-Christian times and local settlers around Kollbrunn and Zell used its spring as a sacred place. "Chilen" would then recall that cult site, and "Tüfels" a later demonisation. This is a theory, not an established etymology.

How do you get there?

Take the S-Bahn to Kollbrunn and follow the signposted trail via Bolsterenbuck. A route suggested by the Zurich transport network (ZVV) links Tüfels Chilen with the Rörlitobel gorge and the Zeller Giessen waterfall: about 11 km with roughly 450 m of total ascent. A shorter out-and-back to the formation alone is also possible.

What will you see?

• stepped tufa walls with moss and seeping water,
• forested gorge scenery and traces of the old quarrying,
• the Zeller Giessen waterfall in nearby Gartentobel, about 15 m high,
• a rest area above the formation with tables, benches and a fire pit.

When should you go?

Spring and autumn work best: paths are drier and the moss is vivid green. After rain the stepped rock and forest trails get slippery, so wear shoes with good grip. In winter the seepage can freeze into ice curtains, but the approach needs extra care.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No. It is open natural terrain next to a hiking trail.

Is it an actual church? No. The name is traditional and refers to the look of the rock and the old legend of a cult site. There is no building.

Which station is the best starting point? Kollbrunn on the S-Bahn line. Zell and Rikon also have rail stops in the Töss Valley.

Can I combine it with other sights? Yes. The same loop passes the Rörlitobel and the Zeller Giessen waterfall, and Rikon is home to the Tibet Institute.