"Time travel through the Zurich Oberland," hike, Bäretswil – Bauma

The hike begins at Bäretswil station. After passing through the village, the hiking trail leads above the Hüttenriet to the scenic flank of Greifenberg. At the summit, you will find the remains of Greifenberg Castle. The three-part castle site was founded in the early 13th century by the counts of Rapperswil and destroyed by the Schwyz in 1244. Today, not much remains visible. The path then leads you towards Hinterburg, further along the Wissenbach and past three beautiful waterfalls to Neuthal. Here you will find the historically significant Neuthal Museum of Textile & Industrial Culture. The famous entrepreneur Adolf Guyer-Zeller lived and worked here. Today, 200 years later, this gem offers a fascinating all-around experience from hydropower to weaving.

Not only are machines preserved in front of the scrapyard, but endangered animals have also found a new home under the roof of the former textile factory: the bat species “Greater Mouse-eared Bat” and “Brown Long-eared Bat.” A nice fireplace offers a view over the railway bridge, where on every first and third Sunday from May to October the hissing steam train passes by. 

After your stop at the museum, follow the trail further through the forest to Silisegg, where the view down towards Bauma already opens up. Just a few meters from the station is the Heimatwerk with a wide selection of regionally produced crafts. Diagonally opposite is the Café Konditorei Voland – known for its Bauma flatbread and other sweet treats.