Bonstetten – Hiking and the History of Technology

Bonstetten can be explored through a variety of themes: hikes towards Zurich and the Albis, energy supply and the town’s history of technology. When looking for a hotel in Bonstetten, you can consider which of these interests you during your stay.

Bonstetten and its neighbourhoods

Bonstetten is in the Affoltern district, also known as Knonaueramt or Säuliamt, just under ten kilometres from the outskirts of Zurich. The Albis ridge, the Reppischtal valley and Aettenberg clearly separate the municipality from the metropolis. Bonstetten consists of Bonstetten-Dorf and Bonstetten-Schachen: Bonstetten-Wettswil railway station is in the Schachen neighbourhood, at 527 metres above sea level. Bonstetten-Dorf is located near the municipal offices and the church, at 543 metres. These landmarks help you distinguish the station from the village centre when planning your routes around the area.

Hikes with different time requirements

A hike from Bonstetten-Wettswil to Zurich Wollishofen passes through Balderen. It is rated moderate, is eight kilometres long and takes about two and a half hours. The S-Bahn takes you to Bonstetten-Wettswil station. Check the timetable and trail conditions before setting out.

The “Passes: Balderen” hike offers a different perspective on the landscape. From the meadow at Balderen, you can look towards the city of Zurich. At Dachenmas, the route joins the Ämtlerweg, crosses the Reppischtal valley and then climbs via the Balderenweg to the Albis crossing. The Ämtlerweg runs from Bonstetten through the Affoltern district over three days; here, too, you should check the current trail conditions before setting out.

The Energy Trail and its stops

The Bonstetten Energy Trail has nine stops. As a guide, allow 50 to 60 minutes of walking time, with a total duration of about two hours. The trail begins at Bonstetten-Wettswil station; the route climbs 100 metres to the first stop. A bus runs from the last stop back to the station. Check the latest trail details and timetable information before setting out.

The time estimates for these routes are not entirely comparable: the hike to Zurich is listed as taking about two and a half hours, while the Energy Trail distinguishes between walking time and total duration. Stop 1 introduces the “Oktogon” residential complex, with 80 apartments, offices and a restaurant. It uses waste heat from a sewer. Stop 2 covers a wood-chip heating system that uses wood from the surrounding forest. It provides heat to more than 140 residential units, ten commercial units, the primary and secondary schools, and a church; operating figures may change.

Technological history and historic traces

The Bonstetten Turbine Museum preserves a restored small hydropower plant with its original machinery and makes it accessible to the public. Approved in 1916, the plant powered a cider press, a hay hoist, an oat crusher, a barley crusher, a maize chopper, a winnowing machine and a threshing machine. The restored site also includes a reconstructed pond with its water supply and weir, as well as a penstock leading to the turbine.

The Schürmatt reservoir is another example of technical infrastructure: it was built in 1899 by the Bonstetten Water Supply Cooperative. It is considered an important testament to technological progress and improved infrastructure in rural communities towards the end of the 19th century. The reservoir lies southeast of Bonstetten, on higher ground. Birchwald borders it to the southwest, while farmland stretches out in the other directions. A field path passes the artificially raised reservoir hill to the east.

The earliest traces of settlement include three burial mounds dating from the Bronze Age and Hallstatt period. The remains of a Roman dwelling were also found in the Gibel area. The Reformed Church of Bonstetten is at Chilestrasse 1, 8906 Bonstetten.

Discover more destinations: Uetliberg, Affoltern am Albis, Knonau, Hausen am Albis, Ottenbach, Kappel am Albis, Aeugstertal, Aeugst am Albis.

Go to the regional travel overview: Affoltern.