Zürichberg Arboretum Forest Loop
The Zürichberg forest's arboretum trails — labelled specimen trees, wide gravel paths, and a real forest walk inside the city.
The Zürichberg forest wraps the city's east ridge. The arboretum inside it is a scientific tree collection you walk through as if it were a wood — species from every continent, all named, all mature.
Take the tram to Zoo Zürich, follow the arboretum loop clockwise past the labelled tree collection, and finish at the Fluntern Cemetery gate for the loop's still centre.
Xymove intelligence
The map
The path
Photographs from along the way.
Elevation profile
Total gain 96 m over 4.52 km · mixed surface.
Accessibility, honestly
Fully accessibleMain paths are step-free with gentle grades. Some optional spurs have compacted gravel or short slopes. Accessible restrooms at start and finish.
- Surface
- mixed
- Gradient
- Rolling, with short easy inclines · 96 m gain over 4.52 km
- Resting points
- 3 benches, shade & rest spots along the way — see the practical map below.
- Stroller
- Wheelchair
- Cane
- Benches
- Shade
- Water
- Restrooms
Xymove Soul Signature
A seven-axis reading of what this walk gives the walker: Quiet, Nature, Flow, Water, Heritage, Recovery, Ascent.
"A tree collection walked as woodland — species from every continent, all mature."
- QuietSignature90
Sound stays soft — you'll hear leaves, water and your own breath more than traffic.
- NatureSignature94
Living land holds you the whole way — trees, birdsong, real soil underfoot.
- FlowStrong84
One continuous line — few crossings, easy to find and keep your rhythm.
- WaterPresent60
Water appears in stretches, then withdraws, then returns.
- HeritageSignature88
Old stones and long memory hold the route — architecture, gardens, sacred edges.
- RecoverySignature94
Deeply restorative — low effort, soft surface, safe to walk slowly.
- AscentStrong72
A real climb — the horizon opens as a reward. Take it slowly.
Let the trees do most of the noticing.
Restorative · a pace the vagus nerve can rest in
Breathe in for 4 steps, out for 5. Keep the exhale a little longer than the inhale — that is the whole practice.
Slow down until the count softens. Sit on the next bench for a full minute. Presence is the goal — the map will wait.
Car-free access
How to reach this walk by train, metro, or tram — with an honest read on the connector.
- 2–8 km approachBellevuetram · 2, 4, 8, 11, 15
Nearest station · approx 2.9 km from the trailhead as the crow flies. Hand-verified walking connector coming.
Practical care along the way
Benches, water, restrooms, shade, and safe places to rest.