The Walkers
Mid-morning on a sunny Sunday is a perfect time for walk around Pfäffikersee (Lake Pfäffikon) in Kanton Zürich.
“You do know, don’t you, that we don’t live in the mountains? Zurich is in the “Low Country!” my friend exclaimed.
We were making plans for our summer visit to their Swiss home, and I was day-dreaming about Johanna Spyri’s Heidi, high-mountain meadows, and hiking in the alps amongst cows and goats with bells on. And, of course, Switzerland is all that (watch this space!), but much of the country is significantly lower down and urbanised.
Kanton Zürich, home to the nation’s largest city, is located in the large plateau north of the Alps, and is well down in the elevation-rankings of Swiss Cantons. The verdant landscape features three decent-sized lakes and several smaller ones; shallow river-valleys with waters heading north to the Rhine; and countless Protestant churches on gently sloping hills dotted with pretty houses.
On one of the last days of our three-week visit this summer, we joined the large number of Swiss holiday-makers, walking briskly with their double-walking-sticks and sturdy boots, and took a walk through the protected grasslands around the third-largest lake in the Canton: the Pfäffikersee – Lake Pfäffikon in English.
Water Lilies
A pond filled with delicate water lilies greets us as we set off on our circumnavigation of the lake.
Wanderweg
All over Switzerland, the direction of the “Wanderweg” or “Walking Path” is well marked.
Walkway
Wooden walkways lead over marshy grasslands. Benches are placed at regular intervals.
Signboard
The walkways through protected lowlands are well signposted with visitor information. Of course, it is all in German – the official language in the Zürich area.
Fisherman
Piers lead out over the lake for those who want to fish in the deep waters.
Berries
The trees are heavy with ripe berries.
Birch Tress
Grasslands
Much of the lake is bordered by grasslands; mountains retreat in the distant mists.
Pears
This is a region of temperate fruits: apples, pears, plums and zwetschen; …
Berry Picking
… and berry farms with strawberries, raspberries, cranberries and blackberries.
Clover
The wet ground is rich in nitrogen-fixing clover. One passing walker was lucky enough to find a four-leaf variety!
Fishing from the Pier
Fishermen come in all sizes.
Die Badeanstalt
There are areas – complete with changing-rooms and toilets – that are designated for swimmers.
Outdoor Exercise
Church on the Hill
Another hill, another village (Seegräben), another church.
Gentian
Purple Grass
Tiered Waterway
Spent Thistles
Wild Meadow Flowers
Dog
Everywhere we went in Europe, large dogs accompanied their owners.
Kastell Irgenhausen
The Kastell Irgenhausen (first mentioned in AD 811) was built by the Romans to secure their trade route through the area.
Kastell Irgenhausen
Today, the ruins are a popular picnic and barbecue site.
Flowers in the Garden
Part of the walkway is very close to suburban housing.
The Bench
Shady trees and grape vines are everywhere.
Another Young Fisherman
Quiet Waters
At the town of Pfäffikon, boats are moored on the quiet waters.
Having walked full circle under the blue skies, we were ready to leave the lake and enjoy a late lunch – knowing we had earned it.
‘Till next time,
Prost!
Pictures: 10August2014
Beautiful photos Ursula, definitely a different Switzerland to what we usually think of.
Thanks, Tricia! More to come… 😀
[…] Alas, being geographically challenged as I am, I didn’t realise how much of Switzerland is actually the rolling, lake-filled central plateau, or Mittelland. Like two-thirds of the population, this is where our friends have their home: “You do know, don’t you, that we don’t live in the mountains? Zurich is in the “Low Coun… […]
[…] Rail Passes and had already enjoyed making extensive use of them to get around the country (eg: Wanderweg around the Pfäffikersee; Balade Des Fontaines, Aigle; Château de Chillon; Schaffhausen and Neuhausen am Rheinfall; […]