We don't have a clear goal in mind for this run, but a whole handful. Sightseeing on the run, i.e. covering kilometers and exploring the most beautiful corners of Zurich on foot. We want to feel, discover and experience the city on the Limmat up close.
Between office buildings, streetcar tracks and commuters carrying coffee cups, we set off into this fresh spring morning with our running shoes laced up. We want to reach our starting point, Escher-Wyss-Platz, by bus and streetcar, but when we change at Bürkliplatz beforehand, we feel a little out of place in our running gear. All around us are suits and briefcases. While Zurich rushes off to the office, we do the opposite: we set off to discover the cosmopolitan city in miniature.
From the city forest to the view of Lake Zurich
First we leave the city of Zurich behind us, cross the Limmat and tackle the ascent to Waidberg. We wind our way through the residential district of Sydefädeli via short steps and winding footpaths and continue up to the city hospital. The sun is still low in the sky and the route often runs in the long shadows of the buildings. It's April and everything in the gardens around us is blooming like crazy and we are absolutely amazed at how green Zurich can be in spring. And also how surprisingly quiet it is here. A kindergarten group is playing in a backyard, the street is quiet, hardly any cars, no noise to break through this idyll. Even I could almost imagine living in a neighborhood like this. But only almost.
The running jacket goes into the rucksack for good just above Waid City Hospital and now we are surrounded by greenery - forest instead of front garden, birdsong instead of traffic noise. It only took a good fifteen minutes to leave the city behind us from the start at Escher-Wyss. Despite its size, Zurich is extremely compact, and that's exactly what makes it the perfect running city for me. The hustle and bustle of the city and the idyll of nature are closer together than almost anywhere else. Up here, we enjoy the morning sun and the view over the city down to Lake Zurich.
My gaze continues to wander - to the Alpine peaks in the distance, which are still covered in snow. “A brilliant view,” I think, and at the same time wonder if I could stand it. The mountains beckon, but they remain distant - almost like a promise that can't quite be kept. I would probably find that difficult. “Come on, let's go!” Falko brings me back to reality and I join him on the run.
Käferberg, ETH and Zurich's west
Although the Waidberg is a few meters higher than the Käferberg, most people still call it Käferberg. Even Wikipedia directs you straight there. So we follow our route - whatever the hill is called now - and take a look at the angular buildings of the ETH campus on the way, before finding our way back through Höngg to the Limmat. This takes us into the next section of our Tour de Zürich: the west.
We take another deep breath in the small, green oasis at Flussbad Au. A few brave souls (clothed ones, because we turn around in front of the nudist area) are already swimming here, the rest are simply enjoying the spring sunshine. The greenery is slowly being replaced by the gray of the concrete. The massive block of the Toni-Areal - formerly a dairy, now home to the Zurich University of the Arts - towers up next to us. Unimpressed, we leave it to the left and allow ourselves a short breather at the next pedestrian crossing. With somewhat tired legs, we walk a few meters up to the Duttweiler Bridge, where we take a short break at the top and look back. Behind us are the sleek new buildings of Puls 5 and the Technopark, home to many Zurich start-ups, while in front of us the floodlight masts of the Letzigrund Stadium tower into the sky.
Urban flow over Hardbrücke and Letten Viaduct
My legs are getting heavier with every meter - the Uetliberg Run is probably still in my bones, but as we run over the Hardbrücke, I regain some energy. To the left, the 126-metre-high Prime Tower stretches into the sky and the blue of the sky is coolly reflected in its thousands of windows.
The west of Zurich used to be an industrial center - foundries, warehouses, textile factories. Today it is a place in transition, full of contrasts: urban culture, art, innovation, modern living. We stop by Frau Gerolds Garten, look up at the FREITAG tower of colorful containers, taste the smells of street food and discover lovingly placed decorations everywhere - sometimes hanging, sometimes standing, always a little crazy. I love these colorful spots in a city and would love to just stay here, get a coffee, sit in the sun and enjoy life. But Falko sets the pace - and Zurich has even more in store.
Even though my legs are getting heavy, I still take the few steps up to the Lettenviadukt. I want to walk at eye level with the city once again. The old railroad viaduct between the main station and Wipkingerbrücke is now firmly part of Zurich's running culture. Up here, you have your very own view of the city - and continue straight on to the Obere Letten, this relaxed riverside pool that almost embodies its own lifestyle in summer.
We cross the Limmat one last time and reach Platzspitz Park, right next to the National Museum. Our sightseeing run ends here - 14 kilometers of Zurich in condensed form. We stand still for a moment, take a deep breath and calm down before plunging back into the hustle and bustle: cars, streetcars, buses, people. Zurich is pulsating - and we, with tired legs and heads full of impressions, are right in the middle of it.
A run like this always shows me how diverse Zurich is - and how quickly you can get from the hustle and bustle of the city to the greenery. The river, forest, architecture and trendy districts are just one step away. Or maybe 14,000, it doesn't matter. For a morning like this, it's worth exploring the city on foot. And I already know: the next city is already waiting.
