Zurich often likes to show off its international flair, booming economy and perfectly organized transport system. But honestly? One of the best things about living here starts just beyond the city limits. Within less than an hour, you can swap trams and busy streets for rolling green hills, quiet lakes and landscapes that feel wonderfully untouched.
One of those places is Hüttnersee, a small hidden lake tucked away in the southernmost corner of the canton of Zurich. Surrounded by soft moraine hills, forests and meadows, it’s the kind of place that still feels peaceful and undiscovered — even on a sunny weekend.
At the beginning of May, on one of those perfect spring Saturdays, my daughter Selma and I spontaneously decided we needed a little escape into nature. Her only requirements were: sunshine, a lake, not too crowded, and reachable from Zurich within about an hour. Bonus points for an easy walk. Hüttnersee turned out to tick every single box.
This little excursion is perfect for nature lovers looking to discover a quieter, more local side of Zurich — a hidden gem away from the usual tourist spots and busy lakeshores. It works beautifully as a half-day trip, but you can easily turn it into a full-day adventure by combining it with a visit to Rapperswil or a boat trip to the lovely island of Ufenau on Lake Zurich.
In this blog post, I’ll show you how to get to Hüttnersee by public transport, what you can expect from the area, details about the easy lakeside walk, where to stop for food, and how to combine the trip with other beautiful places around Lake Zurich .
How to Get to Hüttnersee Lake
Our little adventure started with a relaxed S-Bahn ride to Wädenswil by Lake Zurich. From there, we hopped onto the Südostbahn towards Einsiedeln and got off in Samstagern. Honestly, one of my favourite things about living near Zurich is how quickly you can escape into nature without needing a car or any complicated planning.
From the station we walked roughly 20 minutes to the lake, first along Flämisstrasse and later following Seelistrasse.
If you don’t feel like walking quite that far, there’s also an easier option: you can take bus 170 towards Richterswil and get off at Flämis. From there, simply follow Seelistrasse down towards the lake.
An Easy Lake Hike with So Much Charm
Hüttnersee itself is quite small, which is exactly part of its magic. The circular walk around the lake only takes about 30 minutes and is completely easy-going, with barely any elevation.
What makes this area so special is the landscape itself. The whole region is shaped by glacial moraines from the Ice Age, creating these soft rolling hills and little dips in the terrain that make everything feel incredibly gentle and natural. I just love this little lake.
The green hills, the wildflower meadows, the cows grazing peacefully, and the protected nature reserve surrounding the lake create this calm atmosphere that instantly makes you breathe slower. It’s the perfect destination to switch off for a while and simply let your soul rest a little.
Why Hüttnersee Still Feels So Untouched
One of the reasons Hüttnersee has remained so idyllic and unspoiled is because already back in 1945, the local government introduced strict protection rules here. No construction around the lake and no motorboats allowed.
And honestly? I’m incredibly grateful for that.
There’s something so rare these days about a place that still feels quiet, wild, and untouched. No loud engines. No luxury developments. Just birdsong, reeds moving in the wind, and the occasional cowbell in the distance.
Apparently, local legends say that beautiful fairies and evil sorcerers once lived here. And somewhere beneath the dark, murky water, the handsome “Hüttner boy” is said to still sleep after following the call of a water nymph long ago. On moonlit evenings, people say you can still hear their soft whispers over the lake.
True or not — the atmosphere here makes you believe anything could exist.
Walking Counterclockwise Around the Lake
Selma and I decided to walk around the lake counterclockwise. Our plan was simple: move a little first, then relax at the official bathing/beach area afterwards.
The path first leads past lush green meadows filled with flowers and cows, always with beautiful views down onto the lake. Then at the end of the lake you pass along the reed, a nature protection area.
On the opposite hillside lies the old health resort village of Hütten.
It’s hard to imagine that just over 200 years ago, Russians and Austrians once fought together against the French here. Today, though, the area feels worlds away from war and conflict. Everything is peaceful and quiet.
Near the village, there’s also a trail leading towards the Sihl river and then steeply up to Rossberg. If you prefer proper hiking over an easy stroll, this detour is definitely worth it. From the top, you get incredible panoramic views over Hüttnersee, Lake Zurich, and the whole Zurich region — and on clear days even as far as the Black Forest.
Selma, however, had absolutely zero interest in climbing uphill that day, so we happily stayed on the easy lakeside loop instead.
Farmhouses and a Cozy Restaurant
On the far side of the lake, the path passes a few small farmhouses and the lovely-looking Besenbeiz Knobel.
We were still too early for lunch, but the restaurant looked so cozy and welcoming that we immediately said we’d come back another time. If you’re visiting with kids on a sunny day, it looks especially perfect since there’s also a playground outside.
At the very end of the lake, there’s unfortunately a short section where you have to walk along the sidewalk next to the main road. But it’s only for a few minutes and didn’t bother us much.
Ending the Walk at the Lakeside Bathing Area
Shortly after, we reached the small lakeside swimming area. This is the only direct access to the lake, as the surrounding shore is a protected nature reserve.
Here you’ll find a grassy sunbathing lawn, an area for non-swimmers, and floating platforms in the lake. There are also several play areas for kids, including a playground with slides and swings, a sandbox, and a small water play stream.
Facilities include toilets, and entry is free of charge. However, please note that there is no lifeguard on duty.
The water was still a bit too cold for Selma and me to actually swim that Saturday in early May — apart from dipping our feet in.
But luckily, the kiosk/self-service restaurant was already open, so we did what we do best: relaxed by the lake until we got hungry.
We ordered a salad bowl, a hot dog, and an oriental platter with hummus, pita bread, olives, and feta. Besides the typical Swiss “beach” classics like ice cream, fries, sausages, and fish nuggets, they also serve different kinds of Flammkuchen, salads, and cocktails with and without alcohol.
And the people working there were genuinely so warm and friendly.
Definitely worth stopping by if you’re ever in the area.
Final Thoughts & Ideas for a Full-Day Adventure
If you want to turn your visit to Hüttnersee into a full-day outing, there are plenty of ways to do it.
During summer, you could easily spend hours relaxing at the lakeside— swimming, sunbathing, reading a book in the grass, or simply enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. And if you’re more into hiking than lounging around by the water, there are several beautiful hiking trails in the surrounding area that make for a perfect combination with the lake walk.
Selma and I decided to continue our little adventure after Hüttnersee because neither of us was quite ready to go home yet.
So we took the train to Pfäffikon SZ on Lake Zurich and hopped onto a boat heading for Ufenau.
There’s something incredibly special about Ufenau. The tiny island has a calm, almost mystical atmosphere and is often described as an energetically powerful place. Whether you believe in that kind of thing or not, it’s undeniably a place to slow down, let go, and recharge.
After wandering around the island for a while, we continued by boat to Rapperswil — and this charming little town is absolutely worth visiting. With its beautiful old town, lakeside promenade, and castle overlooking the water, it feels postcard-perfect.
After strolling around the Old Town, we eventually took the S-Bahn back to Zurich — tired, sun-kissed, and happy after one of those wonderfully simple days that somehow end up becoming the ones you remember most.
